War of words over new North East hospital
Aug 1 2009 by Helen Rae, The Journal
A WAR of words has broken out between medics at two of the region’s leading hospital trusts over plans to build a new emergency care centre.
Thirty-nine clinical directors, professors and consultants from Newcastle NHS Foundation Trust have aired their concerns about patient safety and the potential misuse of public funds.
In particular, they are worried about what they describe as the downgrading of existing medical cover provided by North Tyneside, Wansbeck and Hexham general hospitals.
In a letter sent to NHS North of Tyne, they say: “We believe there are clinical and patient safety concerns arising from the proposals which have been put forward. Is the NHS North of Tyne assured the inevitable downgrading of medical cover at the other sites associated with this proposed model is safe?”
The medical director of Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospitals in question, last night insisted the changes were being proposed to improve healthcare in the region.
But the medical professionals also criticised the public consultation that has been conducted by NHS North of Tyne over the past three months. They said that in some areas, too little information had been given to engender an informed opinion.
In the £200m proposals, health chiefs want to transfer all serious emergency care cases from North Tyneside and Wansbeck general hospitals to the new purpose-built centre near Moor Farm roundabout, Annitsford, Cramlington.
Serious emergency care, consultant-led maternity services and special care baby units will be removed from North Tyneside and Wansbeck to the acute care site as they need to be at the same premises.
In a scathing letter the senior medical staff, who all work for Newcastle NHS Foundation Trust, highlight several areas of clinical concern.
They compare the proposed provision at Cramlington in the fields of trauma, paediatric care and medical obstetrics with the services that are already either available or due to open soon.
