Rochdale Infirmary to lose another ward

Rochdale Infirmary

Rochdale Infirmary will lose another ward in the near future, Rochdale Online understands.

The Sparthfield general surgery ward is to close in the last weekend of October.

As a result the Chairwoman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, Councillor Jean Ashworth has called an emergency meeting to find out why the decision has been taken.

Councillor Ashworth said: “Staff have about six weeks to weigh up their future, it is absolutely disgraceful.

“I am extremely angry, this is another decision which has been taken prematurely and it shouldn’t have been made.

“The Trust is trying to say that it is to do with government cut backs but it is nothing to do with that.”

Councillor Ashworth added: “The staff are devastated over it. This leaves just one ward to cope at the infirmary. It is not acceptable and it is not in the reconfiguration plans.

“The Trust can’t keep doing what they please when it suits them.”

When Rochdale Online approached the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust A spokesman said: “As part of the Healthy Futures reconfiguration programme, which was agreed in 2007 after clinical and public consultation, the Trust is planning a series of ward changes across all our hospitals over the next few months, including Rochdale Infirmary, The Royal Oldham Hospital, Fairfield General Hospital and North Manchester General Hospital.

“The plans, which will predominantly affect the Trust’s surgical division, are currently being discussed with clinical and nursing staff but no details have yet been confirmed. These changes are not about service reduction but about implementing service improvements for patients across the Trust.

“In addition, like all parts of the NHS, the Trust is facing cost reductions of 4.5 per cent imposed by central Government. As money becomes tighter but demand for services increase, NHS trusts are being required to transform services and do more with less, which means reducing costs and increasing productivity.

“One area in which all hospitals are looking to reduce costs is by reducing the length of stay for patients and reducing the number of beds. As a Trust this size we have the ability and opportunity to look across all four hospitals to identify possible cost reductions.”

When asked to confirm if the ward was closing the Trust refused to comment.

Councillor Jean Ashworth said: “I don’t know why they are denying it.”

Speaking about the emergency meeting she has called, Councillor Ashworth said: “It is important that the Trust sits in front of us and tells us the true reason why this ward is closing.

Councillor Ashworth has invited councillors from neighbouring Whitworth to the meeting as they too have raised concerns.

The emergency meeting will take place at the Rochdale Town Hall next Thursday (16 September 2010) at 3pm.