Emergency meeting to discuss ward closure

Rochdale Infirmary

Nursing staff, members of the public and councillors met with members of the Healthy Futures team and the Pennine Acute Trust today (Thursday 16 July 2010) for an emergency meeting following the shock announcement that Sparthfield Ward at the Rochdale Infirmary will close on 1 November.

Rochdale Online ran a story on the closure earlier this month, but it was revealed at today’s meeting that the decision was made in June despite staff only being made aware of this on 1 September.

A letter given to staff members dated 1 September 2010 reads: “As a progression of the healthy futures programme the Trust has decided that the surgical bed complement at Rochdale Infirmary be reduced by 28 beds. The Trust Board have therefore made the decision that Sparthfield Ward will close on a permanent basis.”

There was gasp in the room when Hugh Mullen, Director of Operations at the Pennine Acute Trust said the decision had been made in June.

Staff from the ward have just a matter of weeks to decide their future.

Councillor Jean Ashworth, the Chairwoman of Health Overview and Scrutiny said: “It was a complete shock to the people of Rochdale that Sparthfield Ward is to close. No one knew it was closing; I am disappointed that no consultation with the Health Overview and Scrutiny has taken place.

“According to the healthy futures book we were supposed to be keeping general surgery and then we find out we are to lose Sparthfield.

“All I ask is that you tell us the truth.”

Sir Jonathan Asbridge began the meeting with a presentation highlighting where the changes across the Pennine Acute Trust are taking place, highlighting that from the initial Healthy Future plans laid out in 2007 a series of rapid changes are to happen over the next few months.

However Sir Asbridge maintained that what is happening is no different to what was consulted with the Healthy Futures programme.

He said: “I apologise if this is coming as a surprise. I am very sorry if that is the case because nothing should come as a surprise.

“We have however learnt that communication has to happen on a much more regular basis.”

Members of the public suggested that when the decisions were made that the people of Rochdale had been ignored, it was raised several times just how difficult travelling to other hospitals can be for those without a car.

One lady said: “The demographic is deprived and impoverished and this should have been taken into consideration, not everyone has cars, Rochdale Infirmary is suffering a death by a thousand cuts!”

A representative from Rossendale council also expressed concern because the closures are affecting people from Whitworth and Bacup.

The Rossendale lady described the situation as “an inequality of health access,” saying “Things are going further and further away. I don’t see why everything has to be centralised.”

When asked if any more closures would take place Mr Mullen said he couldn’t answer that because medicine is forever changing.

It was suggested by more than one member of the public that this is a “carefully engineered plan” that will result in the closure of Rochdale Infirmary all together.

People at the meeting raised numerous questions aside from the Sparthfield closure, many were about the A&E blue light ambulance divert, why the infirmary cant recruit doctors, the maternity services at the hospital and locum staff.

It was suggested that another meeting be held to answer all the other questions.

At the close of the meeting Councillor Ashworth said: “Today has given people a chance to get things out in the open and I look forward to continuing the discussion in October and if it takes another meeting after that then I’ll carry on. I want them to tell us what is really happening – we are asking for the truth that is what the people of Rochdale deserve and that is why I took on this role."

The next meeting will take place on 12 October 2010.