Under threat Swinton-based community health service saved

Patients who receive treatment for podiatry conditions within Weldrick’s Pharmacy in Church Street, Swinton, received a letter from Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust before Christmas informing them that the service would be withdrawn at the end of January. But patients campaigned to save the service and their fight was taken up by Swinton councillors who have successfully challenged the decision. The service will now be retained for six months.

Swinton councillor Ken Wyatt said: “Quite unexpectedly patients were told that they would have to travel for their podiatry treatment to other venues. No real explanation was given but we established that it was a decision taken by the service provider rather than the pharmacy or the health commissioners.”

Coun Stuart Sansome, chair of Rotherham Council’s health select commission, added: “After obtaining further information I attended a meeting with the Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust to discuss the decision making process and short time scale. Patient representatives came along to that meeting and I’m pleased to say that the trust agreed to retain the services on site for a further six months so an additional review can take place.”

A spokesperson for the trust said: “By listening to the feedback of patients and local councillors we are pleased that together we have been able to put in place a temporary solution, meaning that for the short-term future at least, this service can continue to run from this location.”