DOCTORS: PRIVATE BEDS BID IS 'NONSENSE'


Doctors in the East Riding today labelled plans to move beds from community hospitals into private care homes as "nonsense".

GPs in Holderness will write to NHS officials to protest against the proposals - the first time health professionals have spoken publicly against the plans, revealed last year.

The move came as East Riding of Yorkshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) continued a consultation process into plans to remove beds from community hospitals.

Up to 60 beds could be sited in upgraded hospitals at Bridlington, Goole and possibly Market Weighton, while a further 50 could be placed into private care homes.

Today, doctors claimed the move would be detrimental to the region's health provision.

Dr Robert Fouracre, based at the Queen Street practice in Withernsea, said the proposals were completely unsuitable for the 40,000 patients across south Holderness.

He said doctors would ignore the new centres and instead send patients to Hull Royal Infirmary.

"The proposal for services to be situated at Bridlington and Goole makes a nonsense for access for the area of south Holderness," he said.

"We will be encouraging people to write to the trust.

"We will also be writing a response to the document and we have encouraged other practices to respond."

The consultation finishes on March 8 and a decision is expected on March 28.

More than 16,000 people have joined the Mail's Hands Off Our Hospitals campaign calling for services at the region's community hospitals to be safeguarded.

Since the latest consultation was launched, the Mail has heard from more than 600 patients opposing any cuts.

Christine Skinner, chairman of Driffield Alfred Bean Hospital League of Friends, said: "I'm pleased these doctors have said this. I think others should do the same."

Claire Wood, interim chief executive of the PCT, said the purpose of the consultation was to improve the decision-making process by ensuring decisions were "soundly based on evidence and that we take account of the views and experiences of those who may be affected by any change in service provision".

Two remaining consultation meetings will take place at Tickton Grange on January 27 at 10am and at Bridlington's North Library on February 7 at 6.30pm.

Views can also be given on the PCT's website.

Links:   East Riding of Yorkshire PCT:   www.erypct.gov.uk

Mick Pilling (writes) chairman SAVE BRIDLINGTON HOSPITAL CAMPAIGN ACTION GROUP

How can this crazy idea work; moving patients around, putting more & more work onto Doctors... This cost saving exercise by the PCT is to save vast amounts of money as they pass-the-buck we believe; PCT's & Hospital Trusts are in financial Debt!  We all know that...

Also the Social Services are £3.3m+ in debt were these PCT's are trying to put patients into there care; this debt to the tune of; £3.3m+ must affect all; so what chance do the venerable stand; we say to the PCT stop this lunacy now before patients die due to lack of care and specialist care.

Shipping and transferring patients to Bridlington Hospital and other hospitals will do no good what so ever; hospital Trusts at present are holding Consultations to vastly reduce services in all areas; at Bridlington Hospital we are seeing;

The Pain Clinic closure;
Minor Injuries closure over-night;

Nurses leaving for other secure jobs elsewhere only this week 2 Nurse Practitioners left to work at the PCT;

Maternity Unit to close and transferred to Scarborough

A complete review of Acute Medical Services

The 18 bed Priory Ward still closed after 4+ years

The Scarborough NHS Trust are trying to claw back £7.2m+; by hook, crook and stealth.

What chance do the elderly patients stand at Bridlington Hospital if transferred there?  The trust are about saving money NOT Spending It!!!

Mick Pilling fighting for a fairer NHS for all



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