Introduced Myself to Jeremy Lefroy

Yesterday evening I attended a referendum debate where one of the participants speaking was Jeremy Lefroy. Following the meeting I introduced myself to him and had a discussion about the petition supporting Stafford County Hospital's Stroke Rehab Unit. We both agree wholeheartedly that it is unquestionable that facilities and expertise at UHNM are of utmost importance for all patients requiring NHS services provided there. In addition to UHNM when considering rehab for stroke sufferers, so is the care and the facilities which are currently provided at County Hospital. It appears that the Trust are considering relocating 'post stroke care' into the patients home rather than at our current stroke rehab unit at County Hospital, presumably with cost saving in mind. I personally fail to see how this can be adequately accommodated and I wonder what the cost would be to patients! I also question whether the time of a consultant/specialist/nurse/other staff, visiting patients on an individual by individual basis has been factored into the equation correctly, allowing for the benefits of the current structure at County to be improved upon with the interests of patients in mind. Visiting patients individually in their homes may save the need for valuable hospital beds at County Hospital but what about the time travelling to patients residing in a variety of locations across the catchment area who require rehab? Time, transport provisions, fuel and of course the cost of NHS staff visiting patients, etc must be taken into consideration. If travel in the area is taken seriously, taking into account heavy traffic/accidents/delays/roadworks on the M6 and other roads, how much time wasting would be added to this cost saving venture? Would staff costs actually decrease or increase and would patients requiring treatment receive the treatment they need when they need it? This affects people's lives and I for one, feel that my intelligence is being insulted, when it is suggested that this change would benefit patients as they recover better in their own homes rather than in a valuable hospital bed, surrounded by the expertise of all NHS staff, equipment and provisions required to treat a stroke sufferer. This is a poorly considered cost cutting excercise but this is only my opinion.