THE recent death of Mr Melville Watts OBE has deprived the Friends of Lydney Hospital of an inspired and tireless leader in the never-ending campaign to retain and develop first-class medical care and facilities in the Forest of Dean.
The Forest hospitals successfully defeated the threat of closures in 2006 and have since been assured by the PCT that their futures are secure. However, the whole structure of the NHS faces great change as the PCTs themselves face being phased out. The commissioning and delivery of health care will be transferred to local GPs and Social Enterprise Trusts. This will present both great challenges and great opportunities for the provision of health care in the Forest. It is envisaged that our local community hospitals will play a hugely important task within the new structures but they will still need the support of local people and organisations to raise funds to help improve existing facilities.
During this period of change, the Friends of Lydney Hospital remain committed to the same goals that their founder 'Mr Melville' set out when he established the Friends Charitable Trust in 1979. They will continue to raise money through donations, leagies and charitable events.?The funds raised will be used to support Lydney and District Hospital and enhance the facilities for the benefit of the patients and staff.
Meanwhile, the FOLH Committee have decided to review their internal structure and practices under the acting chairmanship of Mr Tony Midgley. New projects are being identified to improve the facilities in the Hospital. The annual meeting of the Friends will be brought forward to early 2011 when a chairman will be elected to lead the Friends into the challening future. – Marion Davies, Friends of Lydney and District Hospital.