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| Brian Dash speaking at the PCT meeting in Hythe (Friday 19th August 2005) |
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Any proposals to close Hythe Hospital must be resisted at all costs. I have been briefed on the proposals and options at the County Health Scrutiny Committee.
I would make the following points:
1 First and foremost there is a huge deficit in Primary Care Trust (PCT) funding - £27m savings is the target I believe. Many of us think it’s crazy to carry forward a deficit so that the Trust starts the year with less cash than it needs to run services as they are currently run. I know you are a new management team and that you face a very daunting task so can you honestly say that saving money is not a major factor behind these proposals?
2 The Minor Injuries Unit has been closed for 19 months. If the PCt is unable (?) to reopen it after all this time how can you convince us that you can deliver the remodelled service we are being offered now?
3 The proposals rely heavily on care in the home. Care in the home is obviously desirable in some cases but certainly not in all. The turn and services provided by our Hythe hospital are highly valued by the Totton and Waterside community.
I have lived here for nearly 40 years, my mother in law was in our hospital from a short period. A dear family friend, Jeff who hated to go to hospital and who, up to 92 was content with the care of his own home nevertheless spent the last few weeks of his life in Hythe hospital being cared for-not looked after-cared for by local staff. Many, no most, of the people in this hall could give similar testament to the value we place in Hythe hospital so how can you convince us that care in the home is the best thing for our community?
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| The audience at Applemore Recreation Centre |
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4 During the presentation I listen to, no one was able to provide evidence that these proposals have been fully costed. Certainly the revenue cost impact of a new Lymington Hospital remains a mystery! I have since read the audit commission comments in the PCT accounts which also draw attention to this.
5 The geographical position of Hythe hospital enables it to serve a large proportion of the New Forest Trust population. We comprise some 70,000 people.
6 Could I draw your attention to the situation in North Hants PCT where the chairman, Dr Ludlow has set up a steering group including local GPs to examine the range of services needed? I see no evidence that this has happened here why don't you take the same analysis of " Care Pathways" route being adopted in the north of the county by involving our local doctors?
7 I hope you will listen to Dr David Markby who has some constructive comments to make as you know the NHS is new proposals were 2006 to restrict PCT group commissioning role, leaving the running of hospitals to others. It would be daft to close the door on future opportunities for community care which must include the use of our hospital.
It would be crazy and perverse to even think of closing our Hythe hospital |
