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Maternity unit ‘could close by Christmas’
Diane Leach1/ 8/2006
HOSPITAL bosses are intent on closing Rochdale Infirmary's maternity unit before Christmas, it has been claimed.
Infirmary 'insiders' have discribed the Healthy Futures consultation, the results of which have been postponed until the end of the year, as a 'whitewash.'
The Observer reported on Saturday that the decision over the future of the Infirmary's maternity, neo-natal and children's services had been put back three months because of the overwhelming response to the consultation.
But on Monday a hospital professional claimed a decision to close the maternity unit had already been made. The staff, she said,were 'distraught'.
Officials deny there will be any changes - as long as there are no staffing problems.
Another member of the hospital's professional staff told us: "Obstetricians were called to a 'secret' meeting with Pennine Acute Trust managers and told they wanted the department closed by December.
"The trust is saying that it is not financially viable to have maternity units at Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and North Manchester.
"In my opinion, they want to close the Infirmary's maternity unit as quickly as possible so that the decision following the consultation is a fait accompli.
"The general feeling is that a conspiracy is going on and everyone working in the maternity unit is distraught."
"Yet the unit at the Infirmary is the most efficient and the most number of patients chose to have their babies there."
A senior member of staff at the Infirmary said as far as he was concerned, the closure claims were accurate and that patients would go to the maternity unit at Bury.
Tom Wilders, director of strategic planning for the trust, said the current issues being discussed were in relation to safety and governance and were independent from the long-standing proposals affecting the Infirmary.
"During the recent consultation process on women's and children's services across Greater Manchester it was made clear that it would be very difficult to maintain some hospital sites," added Mr Wilders.
"It should be stressed however that the more important and immediate issue for the trust is patient safety. There are some concerns over current staffing levels and we are monitoring the situation closely. Unless something unexpected happens, such as further staffing problems, there will be no change this year."
A Unison spokesman said it would be very disturbing if such a decision was made before the result of formal consultations was announced, describing it as 'unthinkable'.
He added: "The first interest has to be patient care, and the effect on staff."
Paul Rowen. Rochdale's MP, said he had contacted John Williams, head of strategic planning at the Health Authority in Manchester, who said he was unaware of these 'plans' and assured him the trust would not be allowed to pre-empt the results of the consultation.
He also gave an assurance that cover would be provided should there be any staff shortages.
Mr Rowen said: "I deplore the attempts of the Pennine Accute management to try and bamboozle people into a decision, which is not theirs to make. I have a clear assurance that the hospital departments will be staying where they are until the outcome of the consultation is announced."
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14/09/2006 at 14:55
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12/10/2006 at 13:18