Hopes were expressed at the annual Ross-on-Wye Town Meeting that now the by-election is over, the Councillors will work together to show their support for Ross Community Hospital.

There was a good attendance at the meeting, which is an opportunity for those who live and are eligible to vote in Ross, to listen to the topics under discussion, and several issues were raised, including policing and the Neighbourhood Plan. However, the main topic the town’s residents had attended to discuss was the STP and its possible impact on Ross Community Hospital.

Paul Deneen, the Chairman of Herefordshire Healthwatch said that the loss of beds had already been identified as a major issue but he said that the matter had not been discussed at any meetings he had attended. He said he would ‘die in a ditch’ before anything was lost at the Community Hospital.

He added that a major consultation will soon be starting, and: “This will be the opportunity to talk about what we do want.”

He added that he felt saddened that people had been so upset in reading about ‘bed less’ hospitals but felt that it is now time to move on.

Despite calls from members of the public for a vote to enable the Town Council to show support for Ross Community Hospital, no vote was taken and no decision was made regarding sending a letter to the STP to say how the community supports the hospital.

Sandie Cotterell, who is a volunteer driver, taking people to appointments at the hospital, said that she was disgusted that a decision to send a letter about the Town Council’s concerns made at a meeting in December was later overturned by county Councillors.

She said “They should be here to represent us not their party.”

Mrs Cotterell said it is better for everyone to keep Ross Hospital and there is a need to increase the services offered in Ross to avoid people having to travel to Hereford.

She said: "We need to increase the number of services not decrease them."

Joyce Thomas said that she had been part of the original campaign to save the hospital in Ross and she was horrified that the hospital had become a political football.

She added: “We all value and appreciate the hospital and we need to work together to show our support. “

Councillor Chris Bartrum started to explain that he had proposed the original notice of motion asking the Town Council to send a letter showing support to the Hospital after the STP was published. However, as he was not asking a question, Councillor Nigel Gibbs, who was chairing the meeting as the Mayor, David Ravenscroft, was unable to attend, asked Cllr Bartrum to stop.

Councillor Bartrum asked if he was being silenced. He said: “I have been called irresponsible and should be able to respond.”

Cllr Gibbs said that local residents would be able to discuss the matter with Cllr Bartrum after the meeting. He said: “The Town Meeting is for residents of Ross to ask questions.”

To read the full article, please see this week’s edition of the Ross Gazette.