THE senior management and clinical staff at Musgrove Park hospital are to be roundly congratulated in preparing, submitting and securing funding for the new surgical block.

As someone who has been involved in the past in seeking funding for projects from central government, this involves an enormous amount of time, frequently outside contracted hours.

These bids are competitive and are considered on the quality of the bid; a clear statement of need, the robustness of the business case in the face of clearly stated options and real attention to detail. 

They are, quite correctly, subject to great scrutiny. The success or otherwise is determined by the quality of the bid. It is this which is central.


READ MORE: Funding secured for £79m surgical unit at Musgrove Park Hospital


Clearly, we would expect our MP to support such a bid.

We must not lose sight of the work of management teams as well as clinicians at a time when the NHS has been severely pressed in progressing a bid of this complexity.

It speaks for very high levels of both dedication and professionalism.

DR MICHAEL OWEN
Creech St Michael