I HAVE attended 75 per cent of the meetings of the Save Bolton A&E campaign group since it formed last year.
Many trade union members have attended but so have concerned citizens of working and retirement age.
Concerned citizens when attending have expressed support for the group to remain non-party political as it has been obvious that some who attend are not supporters of left wing politics.
The other good thing is that no one who attends is expected to sign any of the petitions that appear at the meetings.
Various petitions appear because many who attend want to support citizens of other towns and cities who have concerns about changes to their health services.
People who attend are respected as individuals with their own opinions and views and as people who feel more strongly on some issues about health than about others.
Bearing in mind that people attend who want to speak and comment about their particular concerns or views, Karen Reissmann is a good chairman of this group. I have never seen her lose patience or get irritated with people who raise single issue items or make party political comments.
I hope her communication with UKIP is seen in that context.
Karen has been actively operating in ways that are inclusive and fair in approach in how she runs the meetings and the campaign. It’s sad there has been something of a falling out with a political party showing an interest in Bolton's health provision.
The campaign group does not concentrate solely on Bolton hospital matters. It considers the Bolton Foundation Trusts role as a provider of and employer in community services. The more people who have experience or interest in health issues attend, the more informed the group will become.
The chairman also has to advise and decide on press attendance at the meetings. At times, people attending will raise individual employment matters.
People will raise individual patient and public experiences of health care. Confidentiality can be needed sometimes.
Many people who attend the meetings continue to be pleased by the detailed reporting in The Bolton News of health matters. I would like to say how good the reporting of concerns over septicaemia cases at the hospital has been.
Susan Haworth Bolton
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