BOLTON and District Pensioners Association has taken an interest in the proposal for a “super hospital” as promoted in the Healthier Together consultation document.

It is only right and proper that the citizens of Bolton demand answers to some very important questions:

1. One of our representatives reported that Dr Silvert of the CCG confirmed at the last consultation that four wards (120 beds) will close; NHS England says that emergency admissions must be cut by 15 per cent so that money can be taken from hospitals and transferred to community based healthcare in April, 2015. Is it safe to cut beds and emergency admissions whilst healthcare in the community is still being built?

2. If very sick people from around Greater Manchester arrive for A & E and special emergency surgery at a special hospital, e.g. Bolton, what will the impact be on local people requiring A&E and surgery?

3. Skill, and specialist knowledge is available in hospitals. How will the public access these in the community? Who are these special teams working across Greater Manchester?

4. Do people making decisions which approve “20 minutes in an ambulance and 75 minutes by public transport” as being reasonable realise how difficult this might be for some vulnerable people?

There are many questions to ask about these proposals and we would encourage as many citizens as possible to attend the next consultation on Tuesday, September 2, at 6.30pm at the University of Bolton, Deane Main Lecture Theatre, Deane Road. Registration is required at BestCareGM.nhs.uk/ events or call 0800 888 6789.

Brian Northey Chair Bolton and District Pensioners Association