Southport CARES for children
No more children's A&E at Southport Hospital - so what chance for adults next?
A report concerning the Public Meeting held with the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) at the Town Hall on 6th April 2006
Martin Hovden, editor of the Champion newspaper chaired this assembly
This Public event was held to discuss SHA options for tackling deficits of Southport & Ormskirk Hospital Trust
Neil Large, a SHA spokesman, addressed the issues of funding and planning. He gave no firm assurances that Southport would not lose its Adult A&E.
The PCT’s Mark Winstanley was indistinct on whether or not he supported the possible loss of this service. Conversely, Jonathon Parry (NHS Chief Executive) stated that he was against the possible service transfer to Ormskirk. Mr Parry has however been a strong supporter of the relocation of children’s A&E to Ormskirk.
Cath Regan (CARES Co chair) asked Mr Parry why her four year old daughter was not permitted to be seen at Southport Hospital – Parry indicated that if the child was taken there she would NOT be turned away. Why then are our local children turned away and instructed to travel to Ormskirk? The Shield’s Report, which was the Trust’s Sacred Cow, has long since been proved to be a worthless and unworkable document.
Local newspapers are apparently totally against any proposed move of services.
The general feeling of this event was that if Ormskirk Hospital was guilty of incurring large amounts of debt why then should Southport be made to suffer.
There was a slim mention of the formerly greatly held proposal of any ‘minor injuries unit’. This was a favorite crusade of the Champion’s editor and one which was also supported by John Pugh MP who introduced this public gathering. Whilst welcoming any improvements for Southport’s residents in health facilities – CARES have always worked for the FULL reinstatement of our lost services. We have previously been categorised as “IDEALIST” (by the Champion) for this quest yet now we find that others are proving our original resistance to transfer of Southport’s vital services was correct.
We are pleased that they are now learning that CARES was right from the very start of this campaign.
We said then and say now – give the authorities an inch and they will take a mile. Lesser options will not suffice!
CARES wrote to Chris Hannah, Chief Executive of the SHA expressing strong objections to any more loss of services; the SHA responded on the 5th April.
Ms Hannah stated:
“I am aware of the effect that a transfer of services between the Southport and Ormskirk Hospital sites could have on local residents and that is why the SHA wants to ensure that further efficiency solutions are explored before turning to options that could involve the reconfiguration of services between the two sites again. We have therefore asked the Department of Health (DoH) turnaround team to go into the Trust and identify whether there is any scope for further efficiency savings. This decision reflects the serious concerns that we have about the Trust’s financial position.”
She continued:
“I want to be absolutely clear with you that the options set out in the SHA’s report for Southport and Ormskirk Trust are not options that the SHA is progressing. Following the work of the turnaround team, and in the event that there is still a gap in the Trust’s financial position, the SHA will encourage the Trust to work with a wider group of local stakeholders, including PCTs, to consider and agree the options that need to be explored further in order to achieve the best outcome for both local residents and the viability of the Trust. This may or may not include those options that appear in the SHA’s report: it will be for the Trust and the PCT together with local stakeholders to agree this within the context of the financial gap that needs to be bridged. “
CARES are 'not' reassured in any way whatsoever by comments from the SRA. It is quite clear that Southport is in dire peril of losing yet more services and ending up with nothing much more effective than a lesser health facility such as a minor injuries unit. This is not nearly good enough for Southport and Formby’s combined population of some 120.000 residents and the millions of visitors we cater for throughout the year.
Whatever options are put before the SHA via the turnaround team the loss of our adults’ A&E would be unworkable, unacceptable and down right dangerous.
The meeting included speakers from many committees involved with this issue as well as the NHS, The Strategic Health Committee and both main newspaper editors for the town. In the audience were various political parties, CARES members and residents.
Mr Hovden tried to give as many people as the time allowed their say. The general feeling however was that the public who urgently need these services were just not being listened to. The only thing that was important to the people in power was saving money and if that means losing our services then that is what they will do.
CARES propose that a group of people are put together who are financially able to work with the SHA and the Acute Trust on our behalf to see just what can be done to save funds but KEEP our services and bring back maternity and Children’s A&E.
We know that a lot of money was paid out to McKinsey’s for a financial report and options but this firm does NOT hold the interests of Southport as we do.