Transfer of services in bid to ‘make it better’

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Neonatal Unit Manager Lynn Bowe, Dr Olubusola Amu, Lead Nurse Ian Yates and Staff Nurse Carly Shaw

This week will see the transfer of inpatient maternity, paediatric and neonatal services at the Rochdale Infirmary to The Royal Oldham Hospital.

The services will be based in newly refurbished and expanded wards in Oldham, before a permanent move to a new super centre due to open in December 2012.

Hospital bosses say they understand the concerns being raised by expectant mums and families but they are urging them to think more about what they will gain, not lose.
The message is to ‘see the bigger picture.’

The transfer of services is part of the Making it Better (MiB) programme promoted as 'ensuring safer and more sustainable services' throughout Greater Manchester.

On Saturday (25 June) all services and any patients on the ward will be transferred.

Midnight on Thursday (23 June) is the last time for admittance to the maternity ward at the Rochdale Infirmary.

Cathy Trinick, former Head of Midwifery and current Divisional Director for women and children’s services at Pennine Acute Trust, said: “We have a time line to start reducing work as of today.”

Ms Trinick said 109 expectant mums have been contacted regarding the move, she described them as “VIP women.”

Ms Trinick added that whilst there is “empathy” with local women who feel they are losing services from Rochdale it must be recognised that they will receive an “improved service” at Oldham.

As well as important equipment and existing patients being transferred, staff will also make the move to the Royal Oldham Hospital. Ms Trinick said staff have been consulted throughout the process as well as being involved in the planning of the move.

Lead neonatal nurse Ian Yates, said: “We have refurbished the whole area, new floors, new ceilings and it has been painted.

“It is all kitted out to the level needed to support babies coming down from Rochdale.”

Staff and parents also had a say on the decorating of the ward. Unit Manager Lynn Bowe said: “The parents love it, it is a breath of fresh air.”

The move to one site also means that senior consultants can spend more time on the labour ward.

It is hoped a more senior presence will lead to better outcomes for mums.

Sue Wallis from Making it Better, added: “Services that can be safely provided locally will be. When patients come to Oldham for services they can assured that those services are better.”

The move to the refurbished wards at Oldham is only temporary until the move to the new building next year; critics have argued that this is a “double move.”

However, Ms Trinick said moving now offered “benefits” to the staff so they can get used to the new site and get used to working at Oldham.

From Saturday 25 June Rochdale Infirmary will no longer have a children’s inpatient ward, and, there will be no births, no overnight antenatal or overnight postnatal care. Other maternity services, including routine outpatient antenatal care and scans, will remain at the hospital.

For more information, patients and expectant women should speak to their community midwife or ring the Trust's Maternity Care Helpline on 0161 656 1757 or Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01706 517354 or rochdalepals@pat.nhs.uk