BELOW is a letter outlining the views of some of the GP`s involved in the changes to Out Of  Hours services at the new Accident and Emergency Unit at the Downe Hospital in Downpatrick. It aims to clarify some of their feelings and thoughts around the changes to the proposed system as a result of the Reform and Modernisation policy adopted by the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust. There has been much controversy about the Trust not providing middle grade doctors to support this unit and staffing it with a system of local GP’s.
The GP’s providing this service are all local and their combined experience is close to 100 years of medical practice and they are calling for the public to give this initiative a period to settle in.
Dear Editor,
As GPs who are striving to develop a new overnight service in the Downe, we welcome the opportunity to clarify some issues around this. It is important to know that in the main we are local GP`s with families and friends in Down District.
We therefore have a vested interest in maintaining a local service at the Downe Hospital that is as safe and sustainable as possible. Faced with the reality of the Emergency Department closing completely at midnight, and the relocation of Downedoc night time GP Out Of Hours services, outside the area, we were determined to engage with the South Eastern HSC Trust in a process to retain as much of the current service as possible. We believe we have achieved this and ask only that people refrain from passing judgement until the new service has been given a chance to prove itself.
Under the new arrangements the Emergency Department will function as before from 8am to 10pm. From 10pm onwards it will operate as an Enhanced GP Out of Hours Service , staffed by a fully qualified GP , and the existing experienced nursing staff. In reality, despite the changes, much more will stay the same than will change.
Working with our medical and nursing colleagues we have developed protocols that will ensure that the vast majority of cases that present to the department can continue to be dealt with on-site.
As has been the case for many years, more seriously ill patients may go to hospitals best equipped to meet their needs, but those whose care requirements can be met by the Downe will remain there. The doors of the hospital will remain open for twenty-four hours a day. Doctors from the GP OOH Service can make use of modern technology, and avail of specialist advice at any time.
Medical practice is constantly changing and we recognise that this may be difficult for patients. As doctors we are challenged too, but motivated to provide the best possible care in the best possible environment. It is our belief that the new arrangements will be safe and sustainable, and will provide a service of which we can all be proud.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Michael Johnson
Dr Edward Harney
Dr Ultan McGill
Dr Colin Fitzpatrick]]>
