A CAMPAIGN group fighting Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group’s (CCG) planned reforms to NHS services are hoping to appeal the outcome of a judicial review.
On Thursday, Defend Dorset NHS said an application has been filed for permission to appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In a case presented to the High Court in London in July, Defend Dorset NHS alleged the process by which the decision to reorganise services was made was not correctly adhered to.
However, earlier this month the High Court dismissed the claims and concluded the judicial review.
Debby Monkhouse, of Defend Dorset NHS, said: “The claimant has filed an application for permission to appeal at the Court of Appeal.
“We are continuing to fight the CCG’s plans for the same reasons as before – people are going to die if Poole A&E is shut. The county can’t cope with one less A&E.”
Following the outcome of the judicial review on September 5, Tim Goodson, chief officer of Dorset CCG, said the group hoped the High Court’s decision would “reassure local people that the CCG has acted properly and in the interests of healthcare services in Dorset”.
He added the judicial review was a “right and proper process” but had involved “considerable cost” to the NHS.
Under Dorset CCG’s plans, five of 13 community hospitals across Dorset – including one in Wareham and in St Leonard’s – will close, as well as Poole’s Accident and Emergency department and maternity unit. Weymouth’s Linden Unit, a mental health hospital, will also lose its beds, which will be moved to St Ann’s Hospital in Poole.
The reorganisation is aimed at avoiding a projected funding shortfall, estimated to be at least £158m a year by 2021.
Defend Dorset NHS claimed the plans will leave tens of thousands of Dorset residents and over a million visitors without access to A&E and maternity services within the ‘golden hour’, and will lead to the lives of many patients being put unnecessarily at risk.
Dorset CCG says the reorganisation will ultimately save lives, and will see a £147m investment in acute hospital services.
This article originally appeared on DAILY ECHO
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