We are disappointed that Ms Anna Hinsull and Defend Dorset NHS are seeking to commit more public funding to this case, when the High Court has already emphatically dismissed all claims brought forward during the Judicial Review (JR) earlier this year.

In his judgement following the JR hearing, the judge concluded that the CCG had done what it was required to do during the Clinical Services Review (CSR) and consultation processes to comply with its legal obligations.  On the first occasion when the claimant sought permission to appeal the judge was very clear when giving his reasons for refusing permission that any appeal had no realistic prospect of success and that several grounds were hopeless.  This further application for permission to appeal will be at further cost to both the wider public purse via legal aid and specifically to the NHS.

We continue to hope that the High Court’s decision will reassure local people that the CCG has acted in the interests of healthcare services in Dorset, and we will continue to focus on improving health and care services across the county.