09.07.18
Orsett Hospital to close, residents complain of ‘postcode lottery’
Article by Callum Wood for National Health Executive Magazine
The local CCGs (Clinical Commissioning Group) in the area has announced their intentions to close Orsett Hospital which is to be relocated as part of a new scheme of medical centres within the areas of Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood.
Their decision has been met with mixed opinions amongst the local residence as to whether the decision to move will of benefit or put their health at risk.
Most of the site on which the hospital resides has already been replaced with housing development within the last five years.
The CCGs, in cooperation with mid and South Essex STP, have proposed various changes to be made on how the NHS is to operate in future years.
One such proposal is the ‘’treat and transfer’’, whereby patients with cases such as strokes are first managed in their local centres and then transported to more specialised facilities to receive further treatment.
It has been confirmed by Mike Bewick, chairman of the CCG committee that Orsett Hospital will continue to operate until it can be replaced by the new system which is predicted to take place by 2020-2021.
Bewick, ranked by Pulse as one of the 50 most influential figures within general practice in 2014, is in full support of the move, believing it to be “better to get to the place where you get the best treatment and that's as near to home as we can make it."
The move would require the patient to travel a longer distance to receive medical care.
In regards to funding, the CCG committee have confirmed that the 12 million of capital required for the proposals is to be acquired mostly from the sale of the site.
Though the move is likely to benefit the residents within the areas of Basildon and Brentwood, it may disadvantage those living within the town of Thurrock, as they are required to travel further in order to receive treatment.
The move has been met with considerable opposition from the residents of Thurrock and members of the Thurrock Labour Group, who have recently called on the local council to work closely with officials within the NHS with the aim of exploring wider options in order to keep the hospital open.
It is the opinion of Kate Sheenhan, of the campaign group Save Southend NHS, that the decision to move will likely disadvantage families living in the area. She told the BBC: “this is the imposition of a post code lottery for care and that is what we are against."
Dr Bewick added that "It is about relocation, not about closure, we are not taking away something without putting something in place." There is however residences of Thurrock who are still to be convinced of the benefits the move will implement.
The hospital, established in 1917, is now commonly considered a satellite unit of the Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital as much of the hospital has now been demolished.
Enjoying NHE? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!