NHS defends pressing ahead on hospital changes (From Bucks Free Press)
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NHS defends pressing ahead on hospital changes
2:10pm Wednesday 27th June 2012 in Health By Lawrence Dunhill
NHS chiefs defend pressing ahead on hospital changes
NHS chiefs have defended a decision to press ahead with controversial hospital changes before several transport issues have been addressed.
The transfer of several specialist services out of Wycombe Hospital has already been agreed - meaning from October 7,600 patients per year will go to Stoke Mandeville instead.
Patients repeatedly voiced concerns about getting to and from hospital as the NHS consulted on the changes, while the consultation document itself acknowledged the public "made it clear there need to be robust arrangements in place for transport and access".
The problems include a lack of parking space at Stoke Mandeville and a lack of signage and lighting along the A404.
Earlier this year Wycombe MP Steve Baker also highlighted problems with the 300 Arriva bus to Stoke Mandeville - saying elderly patients and visitors face a difficult and confusing walk from the bus stop to the hospital entrance (see related links).
The Bucks Free Press asked NHS chiefs why these issues are not being dealt with before the service changes take place, and if there is a danger of them being pushed off the agenda later.
A spokesman for the NHS Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Cluster said: "We have already put in place some improvements and we have committed publicly to continue this work."
"Many of the transport concerns existed before the Better Healthcare in Bucks proposals but we have agreed to do what we can to improve the situation.
"The NHS can’t sort out all of the county’s transport problems on its own, and a transport sub group is up and running which includes colleagues from the county council."
She said the issues are being monitored, while a ‘transport hub’ is set to be launched to help patients get access to hospital transport.
Meanwhile, hospital chiefs have made a commitment to improve parking at Stoke Mandeville and are continuing to discuss bus improvements with Arriva, the spokesman added.
Though the majority of emergency patients affected by the changes would be taken to hospital by ambulance, they would usually be expected to make their own way home. Hospital visitors also have to organise their own transport.
Comments(9)
demoness the second
says...
9:45pm Wed 27 Jun 12
wayneo wrote:They are already outed.
Shameful decision, but then people have themselves o blame for allowing these despicable, faceless bureaucrats to do what they have done.
They will be outed and they will be remembered for when it goes pear-shaped. People are already dying needlessly from overstretched resources and poor care at Stoke mandeville.
Stand tall Blair
Stand tall Brown
Stand tall Cameron and your little toady Clegg.
wayneo
says...
12:14am Thu 28 Jun 12
demoness the second wrote:Fortunately, the PCT doesn't get off that lightly.
wayneo wrote: Shameful decision, but then people have themselves o blame for allowing these despicable, faceless bureaucrats to do what they have done. They will be outed and they will be remembered for when it goes pear-shaped. People are already dying needlessly from overstretched resources and poor care at Stoke mandeville.They are already outed. Stand tall Blair Stand tall Brown Stand tall Cameron and your little toady Clegg.
QualityCare4all
says...
6:31am Thu 28 Jun 12
Wayneo: can you provide evidence for your statement about people dying needlessly at Stoke Mandeville Hospital?
demoness the second
says...
7:13am Thu 28 Jun 12
QualityCare4all wrote:yes Wayneo - that is quite a claim - perhaps you can share with us the source of this information.
PCT and Hospital board are unelected! Need more accountability in these organisations and in the new ones being formed now. Check out your local Clinical Commissioning Group - it does have 'lay' representatives.
Wayneo: can you provide evidence for your statement about people dying needlessly at Stoke Mandeville Hospital?
Have you been to the CQC or the health ombudsman with your concerns?
I mean, saying that people are dying needlessly in Stoke Mandeville is quite an assertion...
wayneo
says...
9:40am Thu 28 Jun 12
demoness the second wrote:There's an inquest soon.
QualityCare4all wrote: PCT and Hospital board are unelected! Need more accountability in these organisations and in the new ones being formed now. Check out your local Clinical Commissioning Group - it does have 'lay' representatives. Wayneo: can you provide evidence for your statement about people dying needlessly at Stoke Mandeville Hospital?yes Wayneo - that is quite a claim - perhaps you can share with us the source of this information. Have you been to the CQC or the health ombudsman with your concerns? I mean, saying that people are dying needlessly in Stoke Mandeville is quite an assertion...
demoness the second
says...
2:55pm Thu 28 Jun 12
I am sure WH has its fair share as well.
wayneo
says...
3:16pm Thu 28 Jun 12
demoness the second wrote:We'll see, I shouldn't have let the red mist get the better of me.
There are always inquests Wayneo from every hospital. I am sure WH has its fair share as well.
demoness the second
says...
6:46pm Thu 28 Jun 12
wayneo wrote:No you shouldn't. I spent a lot of time in SM as a child and have a lot of time for WH as well. Both my children were born there.
demoness the second wrote:We'll see, I shouldn't have let the red mist get the better of me.
There are always inquests Wayneo from every hospital. I am sure WH has its fair share as well.
I am fond of both hospitals and have ties to both - they are no worse or better than each other.
wayneo says...
6:48pm Wed 27 Jun 12
They will be outed and they will be remembered for when it goes pear-shaped. People are already dying needlessly from overstretched resources and poor care at Stoke mandeville.