As reported in last week's edition of the Cornishman ("Review Process Slammed") Penwith Council hosted a presentation by members of the Hospital Review Team, which was open to the press and public, followed by a question and answer session for Council Members and the Review Team only.

The Review Team members were Ms Jo Yelland (Project Manager), Ms Gina Brocklehurst (Chief Executive of the West of Cornwall Primary Care Trust), Dr Malcolm Jones (Local GP and Executive Chairman of the West of Cornwall Primary Care Trust) and Dr James Powell (Consultant Anaesthetist). Peter Rylett, Penwith's Head of Member Services, said that "the reasons for the choice of St John's Hall and the Guildhall as the joint venue for this presentation were well documented in the Cornishman last week and I hope, therefore, that residents will agree that the occasion was well managed under those circumstances. All those who attended (approximately 600) could hear the presentation even though only 120 were able to see it as well." He continued that "it was also our intention to provide a video link as well but again, the Review Team made it clear that they did not want filming to take place. Regardless of these restrictions, my view is that the event was a very worthwhile first step in advance of the formal public consultation process which commences on 25th February for a statutory period of twelve weeks."

Penwith's Chief Executive, Jim McKenna, added "I have written to the Review Team thanking them for their attendance and assuring them that Penwith Council, together with our campaign partners - Andrew George MP, the League of Friends, West Cornwall HealthWatch and the Town Mayors, are looking forward to playing a full part in the consultation process.

The next step for us is to formulate a provisional response to the emerging version of the report which is to be used for public consultation. We were told at the presentation that this report would be published by the end of February. The campaign group will, therefore, be meeting soon to agree a strategy to ensure our residents are kept fully informed about how and when they can take part in the consultation process, making certain that their views are heard by the Health Authorities concerned."

He continued that "to that end, an action plan will shortly be published in the Cornishman and on the Council's website and furthermore, it is my intention to write to all households in the District with this information, as soon as it is available, keeping our promise that the Council will keep residents fully informed."

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