THE affection felt for Skipton Hospital may yet prevent its closure, but its future remains far from certain.

Craven, Harrogate and Rural District Primary Care Trust (Chard PCT), Airedale Primary Care Trust and Airedale NHS Trust announced in January that they are "working together" to find a "good long term solution" to how Skipton Hospital will be used.

In 2001, their prospectus expressed a clear promise of local service delivery to Craven, yet the only commitment so far has been to future public consultation, once assessment of local services is reached.

Since Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT is now a key player in determining the extent and quality of local services in Craven, a visit to its flagship community hospital in Ripon, which the PCT manages directly, is both timely and instructive.

And what a flagship. In these disgruntled days of NHS bashing, it is hard to find praise from staff, patients and visitors alike, but Ripon Community Hospital has achieved tremendous local support for its outstanding patient care, and range of medical services.

"We try to work as a team, so everyone is confident of their value. Many of us have worked here for many years, and we have no problems recruiting new staff when needed", said Jean Taylor, matron of Ripon Community Hospital - pictured above.

The strength of community hospitals lies in their closeness to the community they serve.

Smaller central sites, continuity of nursing, care from their own GP, and ease of access for their visitors are key advantages of community over larger hospitals. This is as true for Craven as for elsewhere in the district.

"The whole experience is much less threatening for patients. The staff are often known to them already since they're recruited locally. The whole atmosphere is one of warmth, familiarity and reassurance," said Sister Sharon Kemp, who works on Trinity Ward, at Ripon Community Hospital.

The 22 bed ward is run along traditional lines - men and women are cared for in different sections. Patients are mostly elderly, requiring acute medical care.

Mrs Hilda Beever aged 91 had been admitted two weeks ago with a fractured hip, and was due to be discharged the next day.

"It's been lovely here. I couldn't have enjoyed it more. People are always here if you need them, when you need them. The staff really look after you, and everything about the hospital is so clean and fresh. Everybody takes pride in what they do," Mrs Beever said.

A recently built extension offers a two bedded palliative care room, made possible by local and Macmillan funding.

"Having nursed one of my own relatives here recently, I can tell you that the standard of care they received was wonderful. Their final days were peaceful, comfortable and composed," a member of staff said.

The Peggy and Len Barker garden is designed for easy wheelchair access. Currently full of snowdrops and mahonia, the garden is popular with patients and visitors alike. Like so many aspects of the hospital, it is testament to the support and appreciation of the local community.

A minor injuries unit is open every day from 8am until 11pm, staffed by nurses with extended accident and emergency training. All local GP practices run half hour sessions from Monday until Friday, and conduct ward rounds to monitor their patients' progress. Local GPs are called in when needed at other times.

Highly skilled emergency nurse practitioners have also been introduced, to cut waiting times and enhance patient care: "Our role is to admit, diagnose, treat and discharge", said Liz Voce, clinical nurse manager.

Local geriatric consultants and GPs may refer patients requiring rehabilitation to the Day Hospital facility. The superb newly refurbished physiotherapy department and gym are an integral part of the hospital's expanding rehabilitation programmes, which may soon include prevention of falls and rehabilitation of young patients in Ripon.

The hospital also offers an extensive outpatient department and 22 consultants from Harrogate General Hospital hold clinics in psychiatry, orthopaedics, neurology, obstetrics and gynaecology, rheumatology and family planning, amongst others. The addition of an ultrasound scanner has enhanced the facilities offered by the X-ray department, including ante-natal and abdominal scanning.

Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dental services, speech therapy, podiatry are also available on the Ripon site.

Ripon Community Hospital is testament to the first class care achievable when adequate funding is available. The professionalism of its staff and the high morale of patients are directly related to that funding commitment.

"If Ripon can have all these facilities, why can't we?" said retired Skipton GP Dr Tom Gibson who was chairman of Airedale NHS Trust and has been an opponent of any planned closure of Skipton General Hospital.

"Ripon Community Hospital is an outstanding example of what is practical, possible and being delivered on a daily basis to an appreciative locality. Craven residents deserve no less," said Dr Gibson.