18.12.18
Government referral of Dorset hospitals’ reorganisation backed by local authorities
The referral of plans to the government over the reorganisation of hospital services in Dorset as part of a merger of NHS services have been backed by Poole council.
The health scrutiny committee of the Borough of Poole Council unanimously agreed on Monday to send a letter to the health secretary in support of the county council’s referral regarding the decision on the reorganisation of NHS Dorset CCG.
The letter expresses concerns about the transfer of maternity services from Poole to Bournemouth, with the health service shake-up seeing Poole Hospital’s paediatric services lost, and Poole’s A&E going to Bournemouth.
Dorset County Council voted to refer the plans to Matt Hancock in October over concerns about increased patient travel times and the role of community hospitals.
Tim Goodson, of Dorset CCG, which has begun the shake-up, said it was "disappointed" but added its plans were "open to further scrutiny".
The CCG said that healthcare services are facing “significant challenges arising from workforce and financial constraints, increasing quality standards, and changing local needs,” and in response is making significant changes to the way acute, GP, and community services are provided.
The committee was given a presentation from NHS partners in attendance which included the clinical services review, and heard evidence about the impact new journey travel times would have on patient outcomes.
Jane Newell, chair of the People Overview and Scrutiny Committee, said: “After hearing all the evidence provided by our NHS partners this evening, and listening to the questions from the public and members, the committee agreed to write a letter to the secretary of state in support of Dorset County Council’s referral, but expressing specific concern regarding the transfer of maternity services.”
The proposed reorganisation of the urgent and emergency care across Dorset will see the region benefit from specialist hospitals, which the CCG says will reduce waiting time for around 6,000 patients and shorten the time for consultants to review and treat around 135 cardiology patients admitted to Poole out of hours each year.
The changes will mean better care for 3,500 inpatients who currently have to transfer between hospitals to access treatment; and around 1,400 stroke patients per year will benefit from improved consultant, nursing, and AHP staffing levels.