Call for clarity on NHS

Apr 26 2012 by Jo-Anne Rowney, Buckinghamshire Examiner

A HEALTH watchdog has called for more clarity over plans to relocate services in a Bucks NHS shake-up.

Stroke and cardiac services have relocated to Wycombe, sparking concern that valuable minutes could be wasted if people are confused about which hospital to go to.

Many people are unaware of the change according to Bucks County Council’s health overview and scrutiny committee.

Committee member Cllr Avril Davies said: “I just hope and pray the ambulances know where they are going because people aren’t clear.

“I’m slightly concerned people won’t know the stroke service has changed and go to Stoke Mandeville when they’d be better off getting an ambulance.

“If anyone has the slightest anxiety they should call an ambulance rather than go to hospital.”

The NHS Buckinghamshire consultation asks the public about the following proposals:

l General inpatient care, including gastroenterology (gut), diabetes, respiratory and medicine for older people at Stoke Mandeville Hospital rather than all three hospitals (Stoke Mandeville, Wycombe and Wexham Park)

l Day assessment unit for older people and a step-down ward for elderly and medical patients, would be based at Wycombe Hospital rather than all three hospitals

l A specialist breast care centre would be developed Wycombe Hospital

l A specialist vascular service at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Cllr Davies added: “The proposals need to be clearer, the committee has asked the NHS to say what are the benefits of these changes, what will happen to these hospitals, and how will the public know where to go.”