Recommendations on health service changes

18^th December 2007
Press Release

 Independent Reconfiguration Panel

The Secretary of State for Health, Alan Johnson, has agreed changes to the way planned and emergency surgery is provided in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells.

The decision follows a rigorous independent review, which found that the proposals will enhance patient care, are safe and sustainable.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Chief Executive Glenn Douglas received a letter from Mr Johnson today (Tues), confirming that the proposals can now go ahead, with conditions, following the review.

Mr Douglas said: “The review has independently and impartially shown that the proposals will provide local people with access to high quality, safe and sustainable services.

“The review has also made it clear that Maidstone Hospital must continue to have a Consultant-led A&E Department, and must closely involve stakeholders in the development of the overall proposals. We are committed to both.”

Under the proposals Maidstone Hospital’s A&E Department will continue to see the bulk of the patients it sees now, around 55,000 of 60,000 patients it sees a year. Under the changes:

• Patients who need emergency inpatient surgical and orthopaedic services in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells will be taken to Kent & Sussex Hospital.
• Patients in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells who are waiting for elective (planned) surgical and orthopaedic services will have their operations at Maidstone Hospital.

The Trust announced today that it is going to organise a stakeholder event for the New Year for hospital clinicians, GPs and local councillors to attend to help develop detailed implementation plans.

Mr Douglas added: “We will be working closely with our local partners over the coming months to ensure everyone is fully involved. This will be an ongoing process and common feature throughout.”

The Secretary of State asked the national Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP) to carry out a review of the proposals after Kent County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee referred the proposals to him for a final decision.

In a report to Mr Johnson, which is published on the body’s website (www.irpanel.org.uk) today, the IRP states that the proposals should go ahead, subject to several conditions. These include:

• That consultant-led A&E services continue at both Maidstone Hospital and Kent & Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells.
• Clinical staffing levels, including cover for A&E and general medicine, are improved.
• That the Trust clarifies whether any planned surgery will be carried out at the Kent & Sussex Hospital after the change occurs
• The Trust agrees a clear clinical strategy and it
• Closely involves the local community and local authorities in the proposals and helps rebuild patient/public confidence.

Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust will be working closely with West Kent Primary Care Trust to ensure all of these conditions are met before any plans are implemented.

End

Editors notes:

The proposals will result in a range of improvements for patients. These include:

• The creation of a safe, modern trauma service covered by specialists 24 hours a day at Kent & Sussex Hospital.
• Patients requiring emergency surgery will be seen sooner and by the right specialist every time.
• Patients waiting for pre-booked operations will no longer have their operations cancelled due to a sudden emergency.
• The changes will help improve infection control by separating unscreened emergency patients from screened patients having waiting list procedures.