A RELATIVE of the founder of Felixstowe General Hospital today spoke of her delight at its £1.75million refurbishment - but pleaded with health chiefs not to change its name.
A RELATIVE of the founder of Felixstowe General Hospital today spoke of her delight at its £1.75million refurbishment - but pleaded with health chiefs not to change its name.
Charles Croydon's great-granddaughter Gillian Ib took part in the fight to save the hospital when it was feared it was to close, before the Suffolk Primary Care Trust decided the Bartlet Hospital should shut instead.
Mrs Ib, of Aldeburgh, said: “I was delighted to hear the Felixstowe General Hospital has been saved and that it will get a major refit - it hasn't had much money spent structurally on it for many years. The NHS seemed to have forgotten about it.
“My family and I would like to say a big thank you to all the campaigners who fought to save the General.
“Lots of time and effort have been made by many. Trips to London, attending primary care trust meetings, letter writing, canvassing the public, and even an excellent protest march.
“Now I hear they want to change the name. It seems such a pity, as this hospital has a lot of local history. Why change something quite special?”
Mr Croydon built the General Hospital in Constable Road in memory of a friend who died because he could not be transported to Ipswich Hospital in time to save his life.
One of the main arguments campaigners put to the primary care trust was that Felixstowe people needed clinics and other services closer to home to stop trips up and down the A14.
The refurbished hospital, set to open next spring, will include a variety of clinics, as well as a minor operations suite, 16 beds, a new day room, a minor injuries unit and x-ray services.
Trust chiefs have been criticised for wanting to rebrand the hospital and change its name to Felixstowe Community Hospital.
People have been angry at the costs which would be involved in new signs, logos, stationery and so on, and say few people would use the new name.
Do you think Felixstowe General should be renamed? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
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