Trust Chief Executive Replies To Letter From Mrs Shannon

“It is important that the Trust meet with the people as requested by the Down CommunityHealth Commitee and explain what services are now available and what are planned. At the same time the Trust needs to place adverts in all relevant media listing services that are available and staff who provide them. Only then will people begin to rebuild the bond with the Hospital and those that administer it. “Lastly, the staff need to be reassured that they are valued. At present they are completely demoralised,” said  Mrs Shannon. After Mrs Shannon issued her letter to the press, Mr McCaughey subsequently made a statement to clarify the issue. He said, “I was very disappointed when I read Mrs Shannon’s letter because it seems at odds with the growing feeling that this Trust and the people of your area are working together to safeguard and sustain local services. [caption id="attachment_27779" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Mr Hugh McCaughey, Chief Executive of the South Eastern HSC Trust has responded to a letter from Mrs Anne Shannon."][/caption] “Two weeks ago, I and my colleagues attended a very positive meeting with elected representatives at Down District Council. At that meeting, all were in agreement that public confidence in our services is only being undermined by the constant stream of misleading and erroneous information which some individuals issue to the media. “Mrs Shannon refers to change in service provision, and services being removed or eroded. There has been one change to night-time provision of emergency services at the Downe Hospital and we think it has been a positive one. It has resulted in a sustainable model which will serve the population well into the future, while you see other Emergency Departments around the country at risk of closure. When one looks at what is happening at present to Emergency Departments at Belfast City and Lagan Valley due to shortages of doctors, we are fortunate to have a sustainable model at the Downe which no one is suggesting should close. “There has been no erosion or diminution of services, in fact quite the opposite with increased activity and staff at the Downe Hospital, and new services being introduced. “Let me clear up any doubts – the Downe Hospital is still open all hours.  The consultant led Emergency Department continues to operate as normal from 8am to 10pm, 365 days a year.  From 10pm to 8am, the Emergency Department closes and the enhanced GP Out of Hours service takes over.  Access is by the Emergency Dept entrance at the front of the hospital, and people are encouraged to telephone so that staff can advise patients whether they should be brought to the Downe, or by emergency ambulance to Belfast.  Patients can still be admitted to the hospital at night. The number for the GP Out of Hours is (028)9260 2204. “The first four months of this new service model have shown that, as expected, 97% of patients continue to use the hospital as before.  On average, one person is transferred out of the area at night, fewer than the 1-2 transfers predicted.  Attendances at the Emergency Department are only slightly down, while the numbers using the enhanced GP Out of Hours service have risen significantly so in total more people are using our services.  There has been a slight decrease in hospital admissions but this may be seasonal. Local GP Michael Johnston told the recent Down Council meeting that the hospital is open all hours, and said that people could turn up at any time and that they would be seen. Let us also be clear about new services in the Downe.  A 16.5% increase in day case activity with new services in: *  Ophthalmology, where the service has just been expanded *  Maxillo-facial surgery *  Gastroenterology. *  Sexual health services We have also developed valuable new services such as: *  Cardiac CT which began in February, *  Non-invasive ventilation which began in March, *  Bowel screening which is a Trust wide service, *  Consultant-led Respiratory clinics “Other service improvements include the development of the new £1m GP and community health facility to replace Pound Lane, the relocation of Mental Health Services and a new £3m supported living development for older people. “The Trust is also planning to work in partnership with Down District Council and other agencies on a range of Improving Health and Well-being projects. “We, as a Trust, are always delighted to meet with local communities and continue to do so at every opportunity.  I have just received a letter from the Down Community Health committee asking me to work with them in encouraging local people to support and use the services in the Downe Hospital.  I will be happy to be part of this positive project and look forward to working with Mrs Shannon and hopefully reassuring her.”]]>