Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
The trust revealed earlier this week that it would move Ward 7, the frailty unit, from Bishop Auckland to Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Under the plans, ward staff would move to jobs in Darlington, but the trust insists there will be no redundancies.
The trust is consulting staff, but residents, councillors and unions have already criticised the move and demanded wider talks before any final decision.
Bishop Auckland MP, Sam Rushworth (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth has demanded an urgent meeting with trust chief executive Steve Russell to stop the move before it is finalised.
Mr Rushworth said: “The Labour government policy is to increase use of community hospitals and we have had success doing this in places like the Richardson in Barnard Castle.
“So, this decision by local NHS leaders to relocate Bishop Auckland’s Acute Frailty Ward appears to be the opposite of what we are asking the NHS to do.
“I have requested to urgently meet with the Chair and the Chief Executive of County Durham and Darlington NHS Trust, where I will raise this issue with them.
“I am disappointed they did not forewarn me about this.
“I will be raising it with them as a matter of urgency to understand their thinking and make very clear the importance of not just retaining but also increasing services at Bishop Auckland Hospital.”
Bishop Auckland Hospital (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)
The trust wants the frailty service running at Darlington Memorial Hospital by Christmas, but will review it in spring using feedback from patients, families, carers and staff.
The GMB union, which represents staff at both hospitals, has vowed to fight the move.
Councillor Sam Zair, a former Bishop Auckland mayor who campaigned to save the town’s A&E department in 2009, says the move shows the trust’s “disregard” for patients and staff.
Cllr Zair also criticised the lack of consultation over the ward move.
The trust says the move will create a seven-day frailty service at Darlington Memorial Hospital.
Dr Eliot Sykes, chief medical officer at CDDFT, said: “We are talking to our staff about these changes as part of our planning for the busy winter months ahead.
“We must make sure we look after the most vulnerable in society and avoid frail older people waiting hours in our busy Emergency Departments or being admitted to hospital when they don’t need to.
“Key to this is having the right specialists available 24/7 on both of our acute sites to assess, treat and support older people to recover and return home quickly. This can often be on the same day and without having to stay in hospital.
“Hospitals are high-risk environments, and frail people can easily develop other problems the more time they spend there.
“We see people start to lose their muscle strength, mobility and, sadly, their confidence to remain independent. We don’t want this for anyone’s loved ones.”
The trust said Bishop Auckland Hospital would keep its step-down care, specialist inpatient rehabilitation and frailty care for older people.
CDDFT also plans to move wards within Darlington Memorial Hospital to make room for the frailty facility.
The trust insists there will be no planned redundancies, but some staff may change roles, wards or workplaces.
