The Yorkshire Wolds and Coast Primary Care Trust was recently forced to admit that its failure to consult over the closure of beds in a cottage hospital was unacceptable and that the threatened closure of the beds will not not go ahead.
The PCT had announced that the remaining beds on the inpatient ward at Hornsea Cottage Hospital would 'temporarily' be closed on Sunday 1st October following the closure of 10 beds earlier in the year. The PCT argued that they did not need to consult on this decision because a) it was a temporary decision, and b) it was an administrative decision. Rules on changes to NHS services state that the only circumstances where consultation is not required is if the health and safety of patients or staff is at immediate risk, for example, the outbreak of a serious infection on a ward. The PCT should have consulted both patients, and the East Riding Council's Health and Scrutiny Committe. The committee has now discussed the issue and has asked the PCT to go out to public consultation on the closure.
Patients welcomed the decision. Jean Waters, 59, who suffers from a severe breathing complaint, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, said:
"If the ward closed, I would face at least an hour's drive to Hull Royal Infirmary or Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham, if I had an attack and was struggling for breath."
Richard Stein, partner at Leigh Day who represented the patients said:
" This decision by the PCT confirms that there are very few circumstances in which trusts can make substantial changes to services they provide without consultation and patient involvement. This was certainly not such a case".
For further information please contact
Richard Stein on 020 7650 1200.
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