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Settle GPs are keeping up the pressure to have Castleberg Hospital's Harden Ward reopened as soon as possible.

The Giggleswick community hospital was closed to new admissions for roof repairs at the beginning of April and locals fear it will not be reopened.

A public meeting was held on April 14 when representatives from the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (PCT) answered questions about the future of the hospital.

However, they failed to convince those present that the PCT had no hidden agenda to close Harden Ward and retain a Hospital-at-Home care scheme which is being piloted for six months before any building work starts.

Members of the audience also said they were concerned no tenders for the work had been sought at the time of the meeting, though the PCT said this would be done as soon as possible.

On Tuesday, Settle retired GPs hope to address a board meeting of the PCT at Malton, with a repeat request that the ward be re-opened as soon as possible.

They are taking a dossier of Craven Herald stories, comment and letters which show the strength of feeling on the issue.

The PCT is likely to update those present on any progress over plans of the hospital.

To help the campaign group's quest, a strong support team has been formed and is headed by former NHS general practitioner Lord Rea of Eskdale, who has agreed to be president.

Lord Rea inherited his seat in the House of Lords in 1982 as a Labour peer. Following a career in the National Health Service as a London GP, he has since worked in public health medicine including a period in Nigeria, West Africa.

In Parliament his chief interests have been related to health, particularly nutrition; international human rights issues; conflict prevention and resolution.

A website is being created for people to register support in order to keep the campaign's momentum until the ward is re-opened.

A petition has already been circulated and widely supported.

* Campaign to save Castleberg - see our special feature in today's Craven Herald

8:27am Friday 16th May 2008

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