HEALTH chiefs have refused to accept a donation for potentially lifesaving equipment at Ludlow Hospital because they say it involved the portrayal of nurses in a way that ‘sexualised’ and ‘demeaning'.

Gill George, who lives in Ludlow and leads the Defend our NHS in Shropshire Group believes that the move could be a sinister indication for the future.

“It is just a further indication of the threat to the future of Ludlow Hospital,” she said.

“All the indications are that they want to close it and this just adds to the list.

“A compromise might have been to accept the money this year but make it clear this would be the last time.”

The row concerns the annual ‘bed push’ in which men dress up as female nurses and other health service staff to collect money in the town.

But in a joint letter to the Friends of Ludlow Hospital, the Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust chief executive Jan Ditheridge and chairman Mike Ridley make clear why they have refused the £2,500, which was to go towards an ECG machine.

‘While their intentions are laudable, the presentation of men dressed as female nurses in a highly sexualised way is wrong, very outdated and insulting to the profession.

‘Men in fancy dress portraying nurses in particular, but also other healthcare staff in a totally demeaning way with the purpose of raising money for the hospital.’

Peter Corfield believes that the decision is an overreaction.

“The traditional bed-push has taken place each summer in Ludlow for the last 25-30 years,” said Peter Corfield.

“It has always run with the full knowledge and support of the hospital management with at times active participation by staff.

“The whole thing is a light-hearted fundraiser, raising between £2,500 - £6,700 each year.

“We have had no formal complaint other than 'concerns' expressed to me last year by Jan Ditheridge in a meeting.

“The refusal of charitable funds from the league is a bit strong coming from an organisation that allows a chief executive to ‘retire’ for one day, collect £252,000 tax-free pension lump sum and return to work on his £185,000 salary the next day.”