Ludlow Bed Push drag nurses row: Refusal cash is ‘silly’
The mayor of Ludlow has said the local health authority should focus its efforts on recruiting more nurses rather than turning down donations from fundraisers.
Tim Gill, who was speaking personally rather than expressing the views of the town council, said that the decision of Shropshire Community Health NHS Trust to refuse the money raised by the annual Ludlow Bed Push was ‘silly’.
Organised by the League of Friends of Ludlow Hospital, the decades-old event raised more than £2,500 for the trust.
It involved a team of men, dressed in nurse-themed drag running around the town collecting money.
However, chief executive Jan Ditheridge of the NHS Trust which is responsible for Ludlow Hospital refused the money saying the fundraiser’s dress was ‘inappropriate’, ‘highly sexualised’ and ‘demeaning’.
“There is no harm in it,” said Mr Gill. “I did not see it as sexualised, it is in the manner of the pantomime dame. They raised a lot of money for the hospital, money that is not forthcoming from the health authority.
“Without the League of Friends we would not have a new dialysis machine and at the moment they are trying to buy an X-ray machine. These are extras, they have not been provided by the health authority.
“The trouble with the health authority is that they have not done anything for the people of Ludlow. They close beds, shut the maternity unit. These services are being reviewed because of a shortage of money.”
Mr Gill added: “Instead of turning down money which has been raised in good faith, the health authority should be looking at why it can not attract more nurses.
“To say this degrades nurses is silly. They should look at why they have so many vacancies. There is the uncertainty that surrounds it.
“That says more about the situation in the health authority than a group of men raising money dressed as pantomime dames. I am very disappointed at the attitude and feel those in charge should be far more interested in getting more nurses immediately in place..
“I support the Friends of Ludlow Hospital and the extras they have provided that should be provided by the local health authority. The health authority has more important things to be occupying their time and they should get on and do them.”
Ms Ditheridge’s refusal of the money caused an outcry from supporters, made national headlines and attracted interest from other hospitals and good causes desperate for the cash.
Dr Simon Freeman, accountable officer at the Shropshire clinical commissioning group, said the trust was correct to refuse the money. “The objectification of women is not acceptable,” he said.
