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Forum joins forces with MLAs in fight against cuts to opening hours at STH

Wednesday, 1 February 2012

CONCERNED members of the South Tyrone Hospital Community Forum have stepped up their campaign to prevent a proposed reduction in opening hours at the hospital.
As first revealed by the Courier last November, the Southern Health and Social Care Trust (SHSCT) has put forward a proposal to slash the opening hours of the Minor Injuries Unit at the hospital by two hours per day.
The suggestion, which has sparked fierce criticism locally, has prompted the South Tyrone Hospital Community Forum to join forces with local assembly members to voice their opposition.
At present the unit is open 9am to 9pm, seven days a week, but the SHSCT is proposing to close the unit at 7pm each day.
On Friday last the Forum met with Michelle Gidlernew MP, Lord Maurice Morrow, Patsy McGlone MLA and Tom Elliott MLA at Dungannon Council Offices to discuss a way forward on the proposal, which the Forum has described as "horrifying".
Currently the Minor Injuries Unit in STH has the largest volume of patients for such a unit anywhere in Northern Ireland with the numbers being treated having gradually increased over the years from 8,000 a year to 20,500 in 2010/2011.
According to the Forum, patients with minor injuries can be seen at STH quickly and efficiently, helping to take the pressure off larger A&E units. The MI service at STH is managed by the Acute Services Directorate with clinical oversight provided by the A&E consultants in CAH, with just four per cent of patients having to be referred onwards.
Speaking to the Courier, a spokesperson for the Forum said that the Trust has confirmed to them that they are happy with the "high quality service" provided.
She explained: "Closing 7-9pm per night would result in over 1,100 patients having to go to Craigavon Area Hospital per year. CAH A&E is trying to achieve the Emergency Access target of 95 per cent of patients being dealt with in under four hours. Keeping STH open could help achieve these targets.
“STH serves a widespread hinterland which has poorer public transport services than any other part of the Trust area. The recent closure of Magherafelt A&E has led to more patients attending STH from the Mid-Ulster area and numbers continue to grow.
“One of the most significant health reviews in recent times "The Compton Report", emphasises that it wants to see local health services situated in local communities where they are most needed.
“The STH community forum has worked very successfully with the trust in recent years and has seen many services stabilised in STH.
“We congratulate the Trust for these years of informed co-operation. It has been a model which has worked extremely well.
“However, we feel there is no logic or sense to this proposal and we are extremely determined to voice our opposition in every way we can.
“Doubtless local sporting bodies, community groups and families who make such good use of the minor injuries in STH will be horrified at the proposed changes".
Following Friday's meeting, Ulster Unionist Party leader Tom Elliott has also expressed his support for the campaign to enhance the Minor Injuries Unit at the South Tyrone hospital in Dungannon, rather than current proposals to cut hours.
He stated: "In light of the pressures on accident and emergency at Craigavon and Antrim Hospitals it is important that the minor injuries units are built up to relieve some of this strain. As the Minister has indicated, not everyone using A&E needs that level of treatment, with the local units capable of treating many minor injuries.
“Indeed the people of Dungannon seem to be heeding this advice with usage of the unit up by 20 per cent in the past few years. It is therefore rather surprising to hear the Trust plans to reduce opening hours by a sixth, at the same time closing the unit at Mullinure, Armagh,
“I would urge the Trust to reconsider these proposals and instead expand and enhance the service available, in turn drawing more patients away from A&E. I believe much confusion exists in the community as to what is currently available at the local Minor Injuries Unit and when it is open, in fact some do not even know it is there, driving past on the way to Craigavon.
“A small level of investment in Dungannon could make a very welcome impact on the acute hospitals under so much pressure at present. I hope local voices are listened to in this instance and an improved service for all prevails."
Meanwhile DUP peer Lord Maurice Morrow has said that the "superb services" at South Tyrone Hospital must continue.
He commented: "I find the two options put forward for consultation somewhat disingenuous. South Tyrone Minor Injuries Unit presently operates from 9am to 9pm seven days per week. We are being offered a choice of it becoming 9am - 7pm seven days a week with back-up supplied by Armagh City Hospital, or 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, with increased cover in the Armagh unit. Mullinure Minor Injuries Unit is Armagh is suggested for closure in both options.
“However what is neatly placed in these options is the loss of two hours at South Tyrone (7pm-9pm) - that apparently is not up for debate, so the rural community are once again facing a cut in services whether they like it or not."
He continued: "In addition, a Trust meeting held on 29th September 2011 indicated a number of options would be put out for consultation. That number, it now appears consists of just the two options before us and neither appear to vastly opposed to each other, except to cut time from South Tyrone.
“Attendances at South Tyrone Minor injuries for 2010/11 reached 20,598, and have grown 19 per cent over the last three years. If Mullinure unit in is to close, and I understand that is already agreed, clearly Armagh City Hospital are best placed to provide appropriate minor injury cover for that area.
“Armagh's attendances have remained fairly static and they too are working to an exceptionally high standard, and it would therefore be reasonable to suggest the current situation is working well for both areas and should be left alone.
“When South Tyrone lost its acute services commitments were made to assure there would be an adequate service and the Minor Injuries unit has a proven track record. It seems there are now attempts being made s to chip away at the professionals who are performing to a very high standard.
“My concern would be the Trust may ultimately wish to close South Tyrone Minor Injuries at 5pm and the options put forward could be thin edge of the wedge".
Following their meeting it was agreed that a joint deputation would seek an urgent meeting with the SHSCT while a request is also to be made for a meeting with the Health Committee of which Michelle Gildernew is the Chair.

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