I rise to present the petition of the residents of Rushden and the surrounding area to reopen Spinneyfields specialist care centre in my constituency. The lead petitioner is Mr Nicholas Hill, who is supported by approximately 3,000 petitioners. I am pleased to say that, as a result of my “Listening to Wellingborough and Rushden” campaign, I have had meetings with the Secretary of State for Health and members of the integrated care board, and proposals are being considered to reopen Spinneyfields.

The petition reads:

To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled.

The humble petition of the residents of Wellingborough, Rushden, and the surrounding areas,

Sheweth, that the petitioners are deeply concerned by West Northamptonshire Council’s decision to close Spinneyfields Specialist Care Centre on 29th January 2023; notes that Northamptonshire’s two acute hospitals, Kettering General Hospital and Northampton General Hospital have on average over 200 people a day who are medically fit to be discharged but cannot be; further notes that Spinneyfields is a 51-bed step-down facility and has the potential to provide essential additional capacity in step-down care locally.

Wherefore your petitioners pray that your honourable House urges the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to work with Northamptonshire’s Integrated Care Board, West Northamptonshire Council and North Northamptonshire Council to utilise Spinneyfields Specialist Care Centre as a step-down facility accepting discharges from Northamptonshire’s acute hospitals.

And your petitioners, as duty bound, will ever pray, &c.

[P002801]