Patient care fear over nursing cuts
Angry GPs claim cuts in the district nursing service could have a serious impact on patient care in Hastings.
The allegations, denied by Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust, are outlined in a letter of no confidence printed in this week's Observer and signed by 23 GPs and two practice managers.
Some GPs claim nusing hours in outlying areas of Hastings and Rother have dropped by around 25 per cent since April in a re-shuffle which aims to patch holes in Eastbourne's below-par district nursing service.
The Observer was told district nurses are already refusing to give flu vaccinations to housebound patients in rural areas, including the elderly, unless the jab can be combined with a scheduled visit, because reduced hours means they do not have time to make separate trips.
The shake-up began in April when East Sussex PCTs agreed that community health services, formerly provided by the PCT, should be run by an arms length body, with some powers to manage a budget.
The newly formed Community Health Services organisation controls East Sussex, meaning traditional borders between PCTs are being knocked down. Nursing hours have become more fluid.
At a meeting in September Brenda Darking, head of the Community Health Service, told GPs nurses would be drawn from Hastings and rural Rother to prop up Eastbourne, which emerged badly from a East Sussex Downs and Weald (ESDW) NHS baseline services review in April last year.
GPs objected, arguing that moving nurses to bail out the less efficient ESDW PCT would ruin an excellent service and leave rural patients out in the cold.
Despite their objections GPs say further staff cuts were made, and retiring Health Care Assistants have not been replaced, leaving them short staffed.
Hastings and Rother PCT issued a joint statement with the Community Health Services, saying: "We can assure GPs and their patients the service will continue to be first class, including the care provided to housebound patients on district nurses' lists.
"We do not agree that community nursing services in the neighbouring PCT are 'failing'.
"Our aim is to modernise the community nursing service, making best use of all resources. This includes extended hours and nurses' time being freed up so they have more time for patients.
"Nurses and GPs have been involved in discussions on the proposals for 11 teams, including teams for Hastings, St Leonards, Bexhill and Rother.
"Each team would have a team leader, community matrons, district nurses, specialist nurses, health care assistants and admin support. The teams would continue to be based around GP practices.
"The structure of the proposed team is essentially the same although adjustments would be made for the size of the population, local needs and caseloads.
"Obviously we are concerned that local GPs have expressed their views in this way. We will redouble our efforts to make sure we communicate effectively."
A decision on the proposed teams is due to be made in November.
Do you or anyone you know think district nursing is suffering from cutbacks? Have your say on the Observer website.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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