The Bassetlaw public are not fools, but they are being treated as such. Last week in a formal consultation about the future of the hospital, Councillor Quigley supported the case for change but said that things needed to be more clearly explained to people. Let me help him by explaining things very clearly.

The consultation meeting was at 9 am in Retford, advertised by small newspaper adverts. With people at work and before cheaper fares, only six people turned up to hear what was being said. Why do you think they are sneaking their consultation through?

The facts are these: they propose to run one combined Accident and Emergency department. Therefore you could end up at Doncaster or Bassetlaw. However there will be no full doctor cover at Bassetlaw. This clearly means the end of a real Accident and Emergency at Bassetlaw Hospital.

They are delaying the removal of children's and maternity services pending a review by a doctor from Leicester and a doctor from Yorkshire. The new top dog at Doncaster was the head of Leicester hospital until they paid him off. In Leicester, where I have family, you can get to most places fairly quickly and easily, just as it is for Doncaster residents. It is nothing like the distance people have to travel from Worksop or the villages to Doncaster. Children's services are run by Nottinghamshire County Council, not by Doncaster, yet they are intent on concentrating children's hospital services in Doncaster as part of the empire building.

These are false economies, using Bassetlaw as the basis for cuts and yet not one of the Bassetlaw governors has spoken out against them, but there is precedent for this. The last time they tried to close Accident and Emergency, the hospital governors, including local councillors on the board backed the closure. Some argued with me that the service would be better in Doncaster, that lives would be saved.

Let me quote one Doctor: ‘I am glad you have not been taken in by the propaganda put out by the PCT and Trust'.

~o~

The County Council has sent our many hundreds of redundancy notices, particularly targeting those working with children and the elderly. The north of the county will be particularly badly hit, but council propaganda, press officers, senior managers and councillors will be immune from the cuts. Indeed they are taking on more overpaid senior officials.

The council is also pressing ahead with their controversial turning off of the lights, starting in Misterton and the villages. Harworth, Blyth, Oldcotes and Langold will follow next year. At the same time I note that Retford market square and Town hall will be receiving additional lighting that you and I are paying for. You could not make it up.