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Blood unit drains out of Infirmary

22/ 8/2006

PLANS to transfer another hospital service out of Rochdale have been slammed by council chiefs.

The clinical haematology service, which treats patients with blood disorders, has been marked for a temporary move from Rochdale Infirmary to the Royal Oldham Hospital.

A letter from a senior figure at the Pennine Acute Trust, which runs hospitals in Rochdale, Oldham, Bury and North Manchester, said the reason for the move was problems recruiting a consultant.

The letter also stated it was the Trust's intention to re-establish an outpatients' service at the Infirmary.

But the planned move is scheduled for Monday 4 September, three weeks before the council's next health overview and scrutiny committee meeting on 21 September.

Council officers have said they are 'very concerned' about the apparent lack of consultation by the Trust.

Chief executive Roger Ellis is set to write to the Trust to express the council's concern and remind officials they have a statutory duty to consult on such matters.

Councillor Brenda Kerslake, chairwoman of the overview and scrutiny committee meeting and a former nurse, said: "We are not happy.

"It is absolutely disgusting - they've not listened and it seems to be a foregone conclusion.

"Our last meeting was in July and the next one is in September which is unfortunately too late for this move.

"They haven't consulted with us at all and are just doing what they want to.

"I've written to Roger Ellis and Andy Zuntz, another senior council officer, about this.

"It is disgusting they are moving things. Is this just the tip of the iceberg?"

A spokesman for the Pennine Acute Trust said: "We await the council's response on this matter."