Sir, – As the clinical accountable officer of NHS Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group and a local GP for the last 24 years, I wanted to respond to some of Coun Blackie’s comments (D&S letters, October 5).

As we have explained throughout the public engagement process, the issues around children’s and maternity services at the Friarage Hospital are complex and our duty, as commissioners, is to ensure they are safe and sustainable for the future.

These concerns were originally raised by clinicians working at the hospital, many of whom are well-known in the local community and have worked at the Friarage for years. Clinicians who have their patients’ best interests at heart.

The preferred option of the GP council in Hambleton and Richmondshire was to retain a paediatric short-stay assessment unit and midwifery-led maternity service with full outpatient services and enhanced community service provision.

This would mean the majority of children’s and maternity services are still retained at the Friarage. We will, of course, explain the options in more detail throughout the public consultation process, which will begin on November 1.

The statistics quoted in Coun Blackie’s letter also need to be put into context. Of course, the Friarage has an excellent record, but it is unfair and inappropriate to make a comparison to a major specialist centre like the James Cook University Hospital, which cares for patients with some of the most complex medical needs and has an excellent safety record.

We know there is no easy solution to the problems at the Friarage. Extra investment in the service may prolong it for some time, but ultimately it will not solve the staffing and recruitment issues that the South Tees trust faces.

Again, during the forthcoming consultation process, senior obstetricians and paediatricians, the people that run the services at the Friarage, will be talking to the public to explain the issues they face and how difficult it is to continue to provide services in this way.

Finally, I want the public to know that our GPs have a great regard for the Friarage and a very bright vision for its future.

The changes that are needed to maternity and paediatric services there are not the start of dismantling the hospital.

We will continue to work closely with our colleagues at the South Tees trust to ensure the services we commission at the Friarage are above all, safe and sustainable for the future.

Dr VICKY PLEYDELL Shadow Accountable Officer, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group.