An opportunity for members of the public to make statements or ask questions in accordance with the rules as to public participation
Minutes:
E Glatter, of the Dacorum Patients Group began by drawing attention to what she considers the lack of acute care in HH. She then went through the points raised in the Dacorum
She then went on to list suggestions from local people for services they would like to see in HH including more community beds and acute services. She continued that bringing together services on one site is laudable but the money involved could be better spent on further services and towards new hospital in Hemel Hempstead.
David Law, Chief Executive Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust D Laws responded that the proposals include the retention of community beds and this may be in Hemel. He admitted that the increase in money for community services is welcome and he would like to see more as he supports a greater move towards community care. This service involves a restructuring of the current services to allow those involved to work with the other services in the area to provide primary care and community services.
Councillor Guest asked Mr. Law directly:
Is it intended that there will be acute beds in Hemel Hempstead Hospital. In the future; and
Will there be MRI and CT scanners on the site.
David Evans (DE), Programme Director for ‘Your Care, Your Future’ replied that they not looking at beds for planned or acute care but at more flexible beds around Herts sites including Hemel. The Trusts are looking at estates options at the moment and different options for future health provision.
Helen Brown (HB), Director of Strategy & Corporate Services, West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust added that the other options are not planned for Hemel in the near future. She said that the planned care center being proposed for Hemel will include an MRI scanner but that the HH plans do not involve complex diagnostics.
Councillor Hicks said that the community based approach in Your Care Your Future did not satisfy the bed need and that the people in Tring feel under siege because of reduction in service. In his opinion this approach will not keep people out of hospital.
While DL pointed out that there will be services provided in Tring, Cllr Hicks responded that elderly people will have to travel to Hemel Hempstead to visit their relations. DL was of the opinion that the need to provide safe and resilient staffing triggered the closure of Gossoms End and recent reviews have refocused the funds moving the beds into the social care category.
B Harris countered that she felt community beds and care in your own home are a good idea but district nurses are now under too much strain to support this service and make it viable - there will not be the staff to offer the service. DL then added that the restructure will draw staff from different segments of the staff resources; they are recruiting different people from a broader base of service staff.
Cllr Guest asked if a district nurse need different training from those in a bed-based career.
DL responded that this alternative career is attractive to different people with various skills and it is easier to recruit to this field.