'I'm sorry' - hospitals chief apologises over bed cuts
The boss of the county’s hospital trust has apologized for the “poor communication” surrounding proposals to cut beds.
Up to 200 beds in Cheltenham and Gloucester could face the axe as Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust looks to save cash.
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Dr Frank Harsent
Speaking at a meeting of Gloucestershire County Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee today Dr Frank Harsent said: “Chair, I would like to apologise to you and your committee for the poor communication which happened around the issue.”
He assured members the trust would have a very close working relationship with them in the future.
The committee unanimously voted to ask the trust to put the cuts on hold and carry out a consultation.
A member of the Royal College of Nursing held signs outside the meeting with placards saying ‘no more ward closures’ and ‘no cardiac care cuts’.
In a statement issued after today's meeting Chief Executive of NHS Gloucestershire, Jan Stubbings said:
“As a commissioner of local health services we need to assure ourselves that any changes continue to support timely access to services and deliver high quality care and safe services for patients.
"We believe it is right to consider future plans alongside advancements in medicine and the changing nature of healthcare and service delivery.
"A greater proportion of hospital patients are being safely treated as day cases than in the past and a greater range of rehabilitation services are now provided in community hospitals and other community settings.
"It was agreed at today’s meeting that Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would carry out a further programme of engagement with local stakeholders over the detailed implementation plan.
"This will include providing assurance on the co-ordination of service changes across all providers that will deliver improved care for patients and reflect the changed system of healthcare that we have described.
"We are pleased that the proposals to improve the care environment and patient experience for stroke and neurology patients were endorsed by the Health, Community and Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee today.”
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by Ermin Nurse, Glos
Wednesday, March 31 2010, 8:28AM
“Good luck to all the patients we have cared for as a family at Ermin. It was a great place to work, and the team spirit and family atmosphere helped them cope with a chronic illness. Sharing the caring was our Logo, and I think we achieved that, whatever the management thought!! Good luck to all the staff too, and hope you enjoy your retirement or careers.”
by wilde, chelt
Friday, March 19 2010, 9:07PM
“not the doctors or nurses or nhs fault its all politics people, some messed up politics where doing nothing about, are we waiting for our saviour cameron.”
by terry mechan, gloucester
Thursday, March 11 2010, 12:38PM
“It cost £878000 per annum to keep Ermin House running for all patients there.
After a two year review, they have decided to close it at the end of this month.
They are prepared to pay £2.2 million per year to put 29 people into private care, split between Deans and Richmond Private care homes, that £20 million over 10 years for just 29 people at £1500 per week.
Additionally, there are 37 people also requiring alterantive care now that the facility at ermin house is to close.
There are 8 people who won't be looked after unless they pay for it themselves
We are talking here about people who have long term illnesses, MS, MND, who have drawn the short straw in life and who will eventually die from their condition.
The closure of Ermin House was a manipulation of the NHS review process to reach an already decided conclusion from the outset 2 years ago that the Trust want the land for other purposes.
This matter needs to be reopen and re-examined by an audit body.
Thay can refurbish Ermin House with the money they will spend on private hospital care and that's what they should do.”
by a, glos
Thursday, March 11 2010, 8:18AM
“dear glos chick....have repeatedly asked ward manager where we will be working. she says she doesn't know it is apparently up to our modern matron. do i want to work for them, well sometimes i think not, so why do i its because i love my job caring for patients. they are and will remain my main priority, not discharge targets.”
by GLOS CHICK, GLOS
Wednesday, March 10 2010, 8:18AM
“Dear Anon, (A) i think its sad that you do not feel brave enough to identify yourself, (B) you talk of lack of communication,perhaps you need to speak to your manager to find out where you are going,oops it may be that your manager doesn't even know where you are going. From reading your comments it would appear that you seem to think that there is some conspiracy going on. If this is the case, do you really want to work with conspirator's???????”