Local people are working together to move forward healthcare plans for Hartismere Hospital, Eye. The Eye Locality Community Implementation Group met for the first time on May 1 under the independent chairmanship of Elizabeth Gibson-Harries.

Local people are working together to move forward healthcare plans for Hartismere Hospital, Eye.

The Eye Locality Community Implementation Group met for the first time on May 1 under the independent chairmanship of Elizabeth Gibson-Harries. It includes representatives from voluntary groups, councillors, GPs and officers from both the NHS and councils.

At the meeting, members agreed aims for the group, which will provide advice to the primary care trust from a community point of view on regenerating the hospital site.

This would include developing a new healthcare unit to provide, among other things:

GP and nurse primary care.

Complementary medicine.

A birthing unit.

Mental health services.

Diagnostics.

Children's services.

Later, Mrs Gibson-Harries said: “The group received a general description of the future develop-ment process and they in turn highlighted some of the aspirations they have for the site. On the basis of this first meeting I am very confident that we have the local knowledge to support and influence this important scheme.”

Suffolk Primary Care Trust chief executive Carole Taylor-Brown welcomed the formation of the group, saying community input would be vital in helping to develop facilities and services that met local needs.

Residents had campaigned against the closure of the hospital, which is a base for the Gilchrist maternity unit but has no hospital beds.

The group will meet every six weeks. More information at www.suffolkpct.nhs.uk