Arrowe Park Hospital’s private Park Suite is saved

Jul 7 2010 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

THE Park Suite, a privately funded ten bed unit at Arrowe Park Hospital, will remain open after campaigners overturned closure plans.

At the end of 2009, an announcement was made condemning the Park Suite to the axe, but a vigorous campaign led by Hoylake resident, Terry Smith and backed by consultant anaesthetist, Dr Terry Tarr has proved successful.

Terry Smith said: “This is fantastic news and we are delighted that the Trust Board has listened to and accepted the arguments. The Park Suite is a priceless asset for the people of Wirral.”

The unit had been due to close permanently on January 1 2011 but Arrowe Park chief executive Len Richards contacted campaigners this week to inform them the plans had been shelved.

He said the hospital is open to proposals for the future of the suite.

Mr Richards wrote: “A group of senior clinicians at the Trust led by Dr Terry Tarr, consultant anaesthetist, has been formed with the objective of exploring all options for the future of private healthcare provision at Arrowe Park Hospital.

“The group will work towards achieving a number of key indicators, one of these being improved and sustained income from private healthcare.”