Farnham Hospital beds to be used for wider catchment area (South West Surrey Liberal Democrats)

South West Surrey Liberal Democrats <info@swsurreylibdems.org.uk>

Farnham Hospital beds to be used for wider catchment area

July 17, 2004 12:24 AM

Simon Cordon is warning that the Guildford and Waverley Primary Care Trust (PCT) is planning to significantly increase the population area served by specialist stroke rehabilitation beds at Farnham Hospital.

Simon, who has become known for interpreting 'health manager talk' for what it really means says that the PCT is planning to use beds at Farnham Hospital for some of the 300 patients a year who currently use rehabilitation services at the 60 bed rehabilitation hospital at Milford.

The PCT are currently carrying out a review of services at Milford Hospital. It is suspected that the aim is to close the specialist rehabilitation hospital and transfer patients elsewhere.

In response to the PCT's review, Simon is leading a campaign to expand services at Milford Hospital and create a centre of excellence for elderly care with Social Services and the Royal Surrey pooling resources with the PCT.

But warns Simon the PCT are putting together a case that will justify the closure of Milford Hospital by claiming that beds at other hospitals, including Farnham, are available.

Simon points to a private meeting he had with PCT Chief Executive Liz Slinn last week and views expressed by PCT non-executive director, Ian Bowers, at a public board meeting held yesterday, July 15th.

"As part of the current review the PCT are looking at how many rehab beds are needed across the whole area currently supported by Milford Hospital. I made it clear to Liz Slinn that Farnham's beds must not be included in any calculation as they are part of the Frimley Park health community", said Simon.

"At the Board meeting Ian Bowers repeated that any review of rehab services should take account of the stroke and rehab beds at Farnham Hospital. This is wrong because they are only looking at the population served by Milford Hospital, which does not technically include Farnham and Frimley patients. I am 100% clear about this. When we saved Farnham Hospital from closure four years ago we managed to save the stroke beds specifically as a unit transferred from Frimley Park. They must not be counted as part of the Royal Surrey axis. The PCT are trying to double count beds. If they get away with it then the burden on Farnham's beds will increase and be expected to support a wider catchment area. I shall keep challenging the PCT to get these basic facts right", added Simon.