NHS Trust fails to consult on closure of X-Ray Unit

TCI Commentary:

It is a little surprising still to see stories like this, as the NHS has surely learnt that its legal obligations require it to involve – and usually also consult the public and patients in its area. It should not be up to the League of Friends to do the whistle-blowing, but we note that managers have backtracked smartly and paused the plans to transfer the facility. Maybe the news article is incomplete, for the NHS would also have needed to notify the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) of its plans, and even possibly it had got its agreement to proceed. Had it not approached the HOSC, of course, it would be in breach of statutory regulations but it is hard to see how a big Hospital Trust could have overlooked such a well-known requirement. Advice needed maybe???

 

Article:

A petition has been launched opposing plans to close the X-ray department at Milford Hospital.

Local campaign group Milford League of Friends says they discovered the trust is intending to close the unit at the end of March, but that there had been no consultation or information published about the move.

The proposals by the Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust would mean those living in the area would instead have to travel over eight miles to either Guildford or Cranleigh, where a new unit is being provided.

Following its launch the petition has received nearly 800 signatures online and the trust has since put the closure on hold to meet with campaigners and discuss the reasoning behind the plans.

Dr Marianne Illsley, Medical Director and Royal Surrey NHS Foundation Trust, said:

“The Trust sincerely apologises for not engaging with the Milford League of Friends over these proposals.

“We have paused the plans to transfer the X-ray service so we can speak with the League of Friends and others to properly share the clinical reasoning behind the proposals and to hear their views, concerns and agree a way forward.

“Milford Hospital is an important clinical hub as part of Royal Surrey’s five year strategy and is integral to our plans to transform community care and improve access for patients.

“In the last few months we have begun the process to develop Milford into a multi-disciplinary site including investing in a Care Coordination Centre for the area based at the hospital.

“We see the Milford League of Friends and other partners as being vital to the success of this work and will work closely with them as we ​continue this journey.”

Jacquie Robini from Milford League of Friends said:

“The LoF wants a full public consultation and is recommending that the Milford unit not only stays but is open longer hours (currently 3hrs/day) and that the Cranleigh unit should be in addition to, not at the expense of, the much valued unit at Milford.

“Over 5000 patients a year (both in and out patients) use the X-Ray unit at Milford, giving an indication of the great need for this X-Ray unit to remain open.”

 

This article originally appeared on Eagle Radio.

The Institute cannot confirm the accuracy of this story or confirm that it presents a balanced view. If you feel this is inaccurate, we would welcome your perspective and evidence that this is the case.

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