The new Danetre community hospital was developed and opened under the stewardship of the Daventry and South Northants Primary Care Trust (PCT), with Dr Kevin Herbert as its chief executive.

In 2006 public consultation took place over the proposal, since implemented, that the trust be merged with two other smaller trusts to form the countywide Northamptonshire Teaching PCT, largely based at Kettering.

At the consultation I expressed concerns a loss of a locally-based chief executive and local non-executive directors such as Gloria Edwards-Davidson might leave Daventry sidelined.

Despite categorical assurances the prophecy is now reality! The plans for Danetre included a minor injuries unit, plans the new trust have chosen not to implement.

This omission needs to be looked at together with other services on the site that have not been fully developed.

Even though the full development of public services at Danetre is 'unfinished business' the PCT will shortly consult over implementation of the next stage of the Government's fast moving reforms – these include a requirement that the PCT will no longer provide the service at our community hospital, but will commission the service from an outside organisation.

Far from a wish list we may still need to campaign for services that form the 'broken promises' list.

If we do not it is not difficult to predict the possibility of a private organisation providing the community in-patient unit with access to the unused areas in the building for activities not directly funded by the NHS.

John Birch
Staverton Road
Daventry