Southport CARES for children
Urgent Press Release
Present:
Mark Winstanley – PCT
Angela Weatherby - CARES
Cath Regan - CARES
Margaret Brown - CARES
Friday, 12 August 2005
CARES members had an emergency meeting (12th Aug. 05) with PCT chairman Mark Winstanley regarding public concerns about the proposed closure of Southport’s Midwifery Unit.
A report by Chief Executive of Southport & Ormskirk Hospitals Jonathan Parry (27th July 05) over the Midwifery Led Unit (MLU) stated that low numbers of births and the unit having to be constantly staffed meant that the NHS could not efficiently keep this facility open.
The Southport & Formby PCT agreed to temporarily close the MLU from Monday 5th September 2005. The 82 women currently booked into the unit will be personally contacted by the hospital with an explanation of the decision taken and advised about what services will be available to them in Ormskirk.
CARES asked Mr Winstanley how long the MLU would be closed for. Mr Winstanley stated that Gill Dolan (Southport and Formby PCT Chief Executive) is presently producing a review of local health services which the PCT hope shall be available in October of this year. In the review Mrs Dolan will be looking closely at women’s & children’s services, amongst other things, and what can be offered on a local basis.
Mr Winstanley advised CARES that doctors had been advised to refer appropriate cases to the Southport Midwifery Led Unit. Some doctors preferred to refer to the Maternity Unit in Ormskirk either to reflect patient choice or possibly when they had concerns over complicated deliveries, because Ormskirk offers a full choice of pain relief, unlike the Southport MLU which does not offer this. CARES expressed concerns about Ormskirk being a long way from Southport and that it can sometimes take around 45 minutes to get there in heavy traffic. Women who go into labour don't qualify for an ambulance, so they would have to make their own way there, either by getting a lift or by taxi or bus, and that will be tremendously hazardous. Mr Winstanley promised to look into this matter. CARES also expressed concerns that the 82 prospective mums currently booked into the unit may have already set up their birthing plans and that this new situation could lead to enormous problems especially if they have other children to cater for.
Mr Winstanley indicated that the controversial Shields’ Report could not remain the only guide to the future shape of local services and Mrs Dolan’s Review would be exploring a variety of ideas which bring together all the current NHS policies and strategies. He confirmed that the Review will be looking at how they can deliver as many services as possible at a local level and that this included services for women and children. CARES have campaigned for any MIU to have X-Ray facilities for children and Mr Winstanley was sure that this would be an option for consideration by Mrs Dolan.
The PCT are looking at past and present suggestions from the CARES steering group and they are being seriously considered within Mrs Dolan’s forthcoming review.
CARES have put forward the suggestion that the old children’s ward in Southport could be used as a provisional solution until something more concrete was organised for either a Minor Injuries Unit or temporary A&E children’s facility.
This unit already has separate access from adults A&E as parents could use the side entrance doors. The facility is already empty with a door leading through to the outpatients ward giving the additional paediatric care if needed within their opening hours.
The proposed Health Village to be based at Southport General Infirmary (SGI), Scarisbrick New Road is not funded by Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, but through the PCT’s LIFT Initiatives. Southport’s press reported this week that the local hospital has a deficiency of 6.4 million pounds. CARES asked if this would have a bearing on the Health Village. Mr Winstanley answered – “No”!
The SGI which is owned by the Acute Trust, in common with many properties in Southport, has a Restrictive Covenant which the NHS is seeking to remove through negotiations with the holder of the covenant. Mr Winstanley felt confident these negotiations would succeed, but if for any reason they failed, the NHS would look at utilising other locations, including existing land owned by the NHS, possibly even at Southport Hospital.
CARES also put forward a proposal for the PCT to look into problems reported to the Steering Group regarding the new birthing pool at Ormskirk Hospital as this has never been used by patients.
CARES also discussed the situation over the Ambulance service and the need to be able to take children directly to Alder Hey if the paramedic thought necessary. It would speed up the treatment process and also prevent any unnecessary movement and transfer. At the moment there is the issue of the boundaries, however Mr Winstanley has also promised to look into this situation. Although the Ambulance service no longer has stars for their performance CARES believe that this is due to the amount of transfers involved between the two areas. The MRAS have to contend with a great deal of transfers due to these moves therefore they are not meeting their target times.
CARES members left this particular meeting feeling most positive. We believe that we are finally being listened to and that our proposals for vital emergency treatment for local youngsters are at last being properly considered. The last 3 years have been a learning curve for all parties - thankfully without tragedy due to the loss of our children’s emergency services.
Now it’s high time to re-evaluate what local parents and their children really need and change things accordingly.
Ends.
CARES committee
C/O 192 Sandbrook Road, Southport, PR8 3RW
Tel: 01704 571920