David Leonard, of Thurle stone Gardens, Dartmouth, writes:
In its document ‘Into the Future’ our local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) sets out why it believes that NHS services in the Dartmouth area (and elsewhere in south Devon) need to change.
In essence, the principal objectives are to better integrate services and make them more easily accessible, allowing an ageing population to remain in their own homes for longer and, at the same time, reduce costs.
From hearsay and recent letters published in these pages, it appears there is widespread support (including from our GPs and the local Patient Participation group) for improvements in integration and accessibility of NHS services by grouping many together at River View, increasing in-home care and establishing a ‘clinical hub’ at Totnes Hospital.
However, the level of support in the community for reducing costs is much lower, particularly the proposed closure of Dartmouth Community Hospital. Our hospital may be short on up-to-date facilities but it is much loved and needed by the community it serves.
Clearly, it is not possible for us to to have improvements in one area without reduction in costs elsewhere. However, in order to make a properly informed decision on whether to support (or oppose) the CCG’s proposals we need further information:
Can the CCG explain how they reached the conclusion that it would be appropriate to reduce the number of hospital beds available in Dartmouth from 16 to four under their proposals? How does this compare with the availability of beds in other local communities serving similar populations?
Will the CCG please tell us how far residents of other similar urban areas in the South Hams (Kingsbridge and Totnes for example) have to travel to reach their nearest Minor Injuries Unit (MIU)? Is Dartmouth being singled out by not having a MIU; if so, why?
Will the CCG please explain how locating a clinical hub at Totnes Hospital will reduce travel distances for appointments and outpatient treatment for the great majority of Dartmouth residents (Totnes and Torbay hospitals are approximately equidistant, though the latter has the added complication of a ferry).
Can the CCG list for us the services (other than beds) currently available at Dartmouth Hospital that will no longer be available in Dartmouth if our hospital closes?
What will be the on-going annual saving from closing our hospital (annual running costs less cost of providing the same services elsewhere)? Only by knowing this can we judge whether potential savings are worth the loss of our hospital. There will clearly also be a large capital gain resulting from sale of the site. How will this be used to benefit the local community?
If it is decided to close Dartmouth Hospital will the CCG confirm that it will not do so until alternative provision is fully in place at River View and in the community?
It may very well be that closing Dartmouth Hospital and replacing it with enhanced provision at River View (together with better in-home care and a clinical hub at Totnes) is the best solution.
Unless the CCG provides us with a ‘profit and loss’ account of what will be gained and lost, it is not really possible for us (the clients) to know whether or not it is a good deal for Dartmouth.