Councillors refer new health deal for Trafford to the Government (From Messenger Newspapers)
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Trafford and Manchester councillors refer new health deal for Trafford to the Government
8:00am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News
Councillors refer new health deal for Trafford to the Government
TRAFFORD and Manchester councillors have confirmed their decision to refer controversial plans to reorganise services at Trafford General - including downgrading A&E - to the Government.
Members of the Trafford and Manchester joint health scrutiny committee have written to the secretary of state for health, Jeremy Hunt, asking him to make the final decision on the 'new health deal' for Trafford.
They sent the letter of referral on Monday after health chiefs in Trafford and Manchester gave the thumbs-up to the plans last month.
The chairman of the joint health chairman, Manchester councillor Eddy Newman said: “The downgrading of Trafford’s A&E department will mean a significant increase in Trafford residents attending Wythenshawe Hospital’s A&E department.
"Unless and until millions of pounds of new investment is made in Wythenshawe Hospital to increase its capacity at A&E and for ward admissions, all people attending Wythenshawe Hospital’s A&E department will face increased waiting times.
"This is unacceptable.”
Other concerns, include the ability of integrated community care in Trafford to deal with emergency patients.
They also question whether the public was properly engaged and consulted about the plans; the clinical evidence available and the impact on patient choice.
They want the proposals to be considered as considered as part of a planned Greater Manchester-wide reorganisatio of the NHS - the 'Healthier Together' blueprint.
But the members of the Trafford Strategic Programme Board (TSPB) - which has overseen the new health deal for Trafford - insist that the councillors' concerns have been met.
And last month, Dr Nigel Guest, the chief clinical officer of Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group, warned: "Delays caused by referral to the secretary of state will put considerable pressure on the delivery of health services in Trafford."
