Axe to fall on Rochdale Infirmary’s cardiology services

Rochdale Infirmary

Heart surgery at the Rochdale Infirmary is likely to stop after an independent review concluded interventional cardiology couldn’t be maintained in the absence of other acute service, such as A&E.

Professor Roger Boyle visited the Infirmary earlier this month to carry out a review.

His report said that cardiology services are “best provided in conjunction with acute medical services” so sicker patients who benefit the most are managed as effectively as possible. Interventions in these sicker patients is “only safe when performed where access to other support services are readily available.”

Professor Boyle said: “Although there is very strong local support for interventional cardiology services at the Silver Heart Unit in Rochdale, staff and patients we met understood the need to change to ensure local people received the best service possible”.

The service, which includes fitting pacemakers, cares for 450 people each year and will move to the Fairfield Hospital in Bury.

Professor Boyle recommended that outpatient cardiology services should continue at the Infirmary.

He also advised that the Trust put in place a transport system to enable staff and patients to commute between the different hospital sites.

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Medical Director, Dr. Nick Dawes said: “I can assure local people that any changes to the original Healthy Futures programme must have the support of local doctors and meet the four service reconfiguration tests set by the government”.

Rochdale Councillor and health campaigner, Jean Ashworth described the move as “pathetic.”

“I am not surprised,” she added, “They are playing about with peoples’ lives and it is adding more stress.

“The people of Rochdale already know the level of services being removed – but why can’t they be open and honest.”

A consultation on the changes at the Infirmary will take place from the 9 March 2011 for 12 weeks.

“The consultation is a waste of money,” said Councillor Ashworth, “Why do it when they already know the outcome?”