Alberto has welcomed the decision by the local NHS in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) to give a green light to the business case to transform Lutterworth's Feilding Palmer Hospital.
The LLR ICB (Integrated Care Board) approved proposed changes to services provided at Leicester Partnership NHS Trust’s (LPT’s) Feilding Palmer Hospital, at its formal Board meeting in public on 10 October 2024.
The approval follows a public consultation led by the local NHS, which secured very strong public opinion, in support of transforming Feilding Palmer Hospital, to provide community diagnostics and out-patient appointments, by replacing the 10 inpatient beds. The proposals will see care being provided closer to home, reducing travel by more than 377,000 miles a year for local patients, whilst making a considerable impact on the NHS’s commitment to net zero.
Alberto, who has long campaigned for Feilding Palmer to be transformed into a centre which provides enhanced health care services for the people of Lutterworth and the surrounding villages welcomed the decision.
Alberto has previously raised the issue of Feilding Palmer’s future use with the Secretary of State for Health and the wider Department since the hospital was originally threatened with closure. He also succeeded in securing the hospital as a vaccination hub during the pandemic.
Alberto said, “This is a key step towards Feilding Palmer becoming fit for the 21st century, as a hospital that can meet the needs of the residents of Lutterworth and the surrounding villages.”
Alberto, Member of Parliament for South Leicestershire continued: "These plans mean Feilding Palmer will be able to conduct around 17,000 outpatient and diagnostic appointments per year, reducing the burden of cost and travel on local residents."
Alberto continued, “I have been pushing hard for the Feilding Palmer’s use for my constituents. Indeed, I was delighted to secure the hospital's use as a vaccination hub during the pandemic, but residents also care deeply about the long-term use of Feilding Palmer and its role in the community."
Alberto added, "There is still much work to be done, and I will continue to work with local NHS bosses to ensure that work can get underway as soon as possible"
The Decision Making Business Case can be accessed here: https://leicesterleicestershireandrutland.icb.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/LLR-ICB-Board-papers-October-2024.pdf
