We are disappointed by the recent letter from the Ellen Badger League of Friends (LoF) requesting for a £635,000 'gift' to be returned, particularly as its publication risks misleading the public.
The £635,000 'gift' was predominantly the Percy Lomas legacy, which stipulated that the funds should be used to enhance health and wellbeing services for the local community. This was divided between Stratford and Ellen Badger Hospitals and donated to the hospitals via their respective LoF. The Ellen Badger LoF at the time agreed with the Trust that the money would be used to purchase land as part of the Ellen Badger development project. At no point were conditions attached requiring inpatient beds. Our Trust has been transparent throughout discussions on this matter.
A formal review by the Coventry and Warwickshire Integrated Care Board concluded that inpatient beds could not be justified given their very low local use. We, therefore, invested in a modern, flexible centre that offers a wide range of services, exceeding our original plans despite limited capital. Ellen Badger Hospital is a leading development that supports the NHS 10 Year Plan by bringing care and wellbeing closer to people’s homes.
While we regret that our relationship with Ellen Badger LoF has broken down, we believe it is now in the best interests of patients and the community to move forward separately. We have asked for the Charity to clarify whether they continue to hold funds intended to improve the hospital, and to consider if they are compliant with the registered charity's aims and Charity Commission guidelines.
We will continue to work closely with local partners to ensure the new Ellen Badger Hospital thrives, delivering modern and accessible services for our community. Our priority remains providing high-quality, sustainable care closer to home, helping people live healthier, more fulfilling lives.