Another Call to Action for the Specialist Stroke Unit in Newry: Write for your rights!

Suggested Answers to the RSC Consultation NOW AVAILABLE – including the Extra 5 Equality, Human Rights & Rural impact Questions

As the 2019 Stroke Consultation Deadline is Fri 30th August, Daisy Hill’s campaign for Hyperacute Stroke Unit status continues, with a renewed call for action for the people of Newry & Mourne, South Armagh,  South Down and surrounding areas.

Based on demographics Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry should be confirmed as a location for a Hyperacute and Acute Stroke Unit – so Suggested Answers to Reshaping Stroke Care are now ready to Download for sending back to the Department.

If you want to help but haven’t submitted any Response to the Consultation, OR if you have already signed a Support Our Stroke Services Questionnaire and need to answer the Equality Questions, both documents are available below.

1. For those YET TO REPLY to Re-shaping Stroke Care 2019 Consultation

ALL Questions Suggested Answers Version 1 (Complete Questionnaire)  is available to download and save as a new filename from this Link: All Qs Answers Reshaping Stroke Care questionnaire

OR

2. For Those who have Responded to the first Questions but not the EQUALITY\ RURAL IMPACT QUESTIONS in Reshaping Stroke Care 2019

5 EQUALITY Q’s ONLY Questionnaire is available to download and save as a new Filename from this link: 5 Equality Qs answers Reshaping Stroke Care Questionnaire

These Suggested answers are already typed onto the RSC Questionnaire in Word Format for easy access for you to download and read.  

The Answers are only intended to be a Guide for your own Answers – but if you agree with these and find it useful and time-saving– you can use all or part of the content.  You can type changes directly onto the Questionnaire, (adding or delete as you wish!) It is recommended that you do make some changes so they are not all identical. Please remember to add your name/address/email address too.

After Downloading, please remember to ‘Save As’ and Give the document a new filename – perhaps adding your Initials or Surname. For e.g. RSC_Questionaire_All_JSmith_2019

The Original RSC blank Questionnaire is available from the Department of Health NI website :  https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/reshaping-stroke-care . Click on ‘Reshaping Stroke Questionnaire’(Word doc) and save.

DIFFERENT WAYS TO RESPOND  

(1) EMAIL: Email your Questionnaire \answers to the Department of Health at:  StrokeConsultation@health-ni.gov.uk

(2) ONLINE: You can copy and paste some or all the Reshaping Stroke Care ‘suggested answers’ plus add your own comments onto the online questionnaire at:

https://consultations.nidirect.gov.uk/doh-healthcare-policy-group/reshaping-stroke-care-saving-lives-reducing-disabi/consultation/intro/

(3) BY POST (using First Class Stamp) post (before 4.30pm Wednesday 28th August 2019 at the latest) to:                

Reshaping Stroke Care, Hospital Services Reform, Department of Health, Annexe 3, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast BT4 3SQ    

If you know people that would like to respond to the Consultation, that do not have a computer or do not wish to respond online, forms are available from the Department of Health.

To get a form posted to you: Phone (028) 9076 5643 and ask for a RESHAPING STROKE CARE Consultation Questionnaire. It is advisable to do this as soon as possible as All Responses must be received by the DOH before the Deadline of Friday 30th August 2019 @5pm.

All the Consultation Documents (including the Questionnaire Form are available online at   https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/reshaping-stroke-care

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

THIS ACTION IS TO FURTHER SUPPLEMENT THE EXCELLENT WORK ALREADY DONE BY SUPPORT OUR STROKE SERVICES COMMITTEE

As you know, another Campaign Group, Support Our Stroke Services Committee organised Community Outreach events over the summer in Shops, Shopping Centres and local places to encourage people to sign Questions from the Online Questionnaire.  These Questionnaires supported the community goal to ensure that Daisy Hill Acute Hospital both retains its acute specialist Stroke Unit and is elevated to a Specialist Centre with Hyperacute Stroke Unit.

Many thousands signed these Consultation Questions up to the Alternative Option Question, but answering the remaining Equality & Human Rights Questions is an absolutely vital part of this whole process.

The flawed Department of Health Consultation Questionnaire prevented access to the Equality Questions previously, as these Questions could only be reached once you had selected one of the Options and every one of them excludes Daisy Hill Hospital.

Now with the Extended deadline – we have the opportunity to supplement the ‘Support Our Stroke Services’ Committee facilitated Questionnaires by submitting the rest of the 5 Equality Questions to support the need for a Hyperacute Stroke Unit in Daisy Hill, Newry.

The people from Newry & Mourne, South Armagh,  South Down and surrounding areas, still stand together to challenge the flawed Consultation document which deliberately excluded Daisy Hill’s specialist combined Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Unit from the proposed Options in Reshaping Stroke Care, but every-one of us need to continue to put the case in writing.

STILL NEED CONVINCING?

Time is Brain - Urban and Rural -None of the Options in the NI Stroke Consultattion are best for all of NI. Every minute matters during a stroke says London Stroke Strategy.

The DoH states that the proposals will have MINOR IMPACT in NI. This is not the case in Newry & Mourne, Down and South Armagh area where there will be MAJOR IMPACT on the lives of stroke patients.

There will be removal of scanning, administration of the crucially time dependant clot-busting drug Alteplase and removal of direct access into a specialist acute stroke rehabilitation unit from Daisy Hill acute Hospital as if it never existed.

This includes losing existing direct access to the Royal for Thrombectomy from Daisy Hill Hospital.

Your life could depend on it.

We must challenge the Department of Health by answering this Consultation – The more the better to get the message through loud and clear. We can do it with YOUR help.

WE CAN DO THIS TOGETHER !

Thank you.

Daisy-Hill-still-needs-you!-call-to-action-for-the-specialist-stroke-unit-in-Newry

For background information on the 2019 NI stroke Consultation document – please see the following post:

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2019/05/05/ni-stroke-consultation-2019-overview/

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page where you will find current information at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2019. Thank-you!

Time for Health Chiefs to recognise the size and need of the Newry & Mourne locality

The Hospital/ healthcare needs of the Newry & Mourne population must finally be recognised by those who Provide and Commission Services and they need to provide the services IN THE AREA WHERE THEY ARE NEEDED.

This should not be news, as it is obvious to most! But it is news – because those in charge of commissioning these services for Newry & Mourne seem blind to these basic facts.

Newry and Mourne has the highest population and greatest need so must have acute hospital services in Newry and Mourne

Newry & Mourne (one locality or LGD) is projected to have the 3rd highest population in NI by 2023 and has always been (since pre 2008) the largest locality in the Southern Trust, with the GREATEST POPULATION and GREATEST NEED.

Those commissioning health services NOW need to recognise the size of our existing (and growing population) and the lack of capital investment in provision of hospital buildings, acute specialist hospital services, provision of hospital beds and specialist medical staff in the Newry & Mourne area, in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, including in the Emergency Department.

Investment for Newry & Mourne must be as intensive as investment for Craigavon which has a smaller population.

New investment in acute specialist hospital services, hospital beds and specialist medical staff is due in the Newry & Mourne area, in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, including in the Emergency Department.

The PATHFINDER NEEDS ASSESSMENT GROUP must also accept this in the needs assessment which they have sent to the Department of Health.

ASSESSMENT OF NEED MUST BE BASED ON ACCURATE POPULATION STATISTICS

Assessment of need must be based on ACCURATE local government NISRA statistics which show Newry & Mourne with the HIGHEST POPULATION in the Southern Trust.

It should NOT be based on numbers of patients being ADMITTED to Daisy Hill Acute Hospital through the Emergency Department.

These figures do not reflect the need here, rather they reflect the lack of beds in the Emergency Department and medical emergency beds.

The Southern Trust have a duty of care to Emergency and Acute patients to provide enough specialist acute services, medical staff and hospital beds in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, as they do in Craigavon hospital.

Here are some facts about our area THAT CAN BE IGNORED NO LONGER. >

These facts and figures show the greatest need for provision of Acute specialist Hospital and Emergency Services and outpatients clinics is in Newry & Mourne and South Armagh. These services must be provided in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City.

NEWRY & MOURNE LOCALITY (LGD) KEY FACTS

(1) Newry & Mourne is projected to have the 3RD HIGHEST POPULATION IN NI by 2023.

(2) Newry & Mourne has ALWAYS had the highest population of the 5 localities in the Southern Trust since pre 2008.

(3) Newry & Mourne has ALWAYS had THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF BIRTHS in the Southern Trust.

(4) Newry & Mourne has ALWAYS had THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF CHILDREN (under 18) in the Southern Trust.

(5) Newry & Mourne in 2016/17 had the highest number of deaths (of under 75s) in the Southern Trust.

THE LIST GOES ON…

DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL KEY FACTS

There were 259 emergency caesareans in Daisy Hill in 2016/17.

  • In the same year there were 2,420 children admitted through the Emergency Department as inpatients.
  • There were 11,256 inpatients of all ages admitted to Daisy Hill Hospital in 2016/17 through its Medical Emergency Department.
  • Over 52,000 people attended Daisy Hill Emergency Department last year.

CONCLUSION – TIME TO REDRESS THE BALANCE!

These key facts have NOT been accepted by those whose duty it is to commission and provide services, but NOW IS THE TIME TO REDRESS THE BALANCE – it is time for Newry & Mourne to have its correct share of funding.

Any need assessment must accurately represent Newry & Mourne as the largest population in the Southern Trust with greatest need.

The population of Newry Mourne Locality (which includes South Armagh) need acute specialist hospital services, medical staff and hospital beds NOW in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City.

investment in hospital buildings, acute specialist hospital services, hospital beds and specialist medical staff is needed in the Newry & Mourne area, in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, including in the Emergency Department.

Background Info:

ROLE OF HSCB:

The HSCB Health and Social Care Board through the Southern Local Commissioning Group have to ASSESS HEALTH AND HOSPITAL NEEDS of the FIVE localities or Local Government Districts (LGDs) of Newry & Mourne; Craigavon; Dungannon; Banbridge and Armagh under the 2009 Act.

Their job is to ASSESS NEED and TARGET RESOURCES to those local Government District areas (LGDs) WHERE IT IS MOST NEEDED.

The HSCB must understand the health needs and size of our population and identify inequalities in health and access to services here.

Any needs assessment undertaken must identify and ACT ON health needs in the Newry & Mourne Locality (including South Armagh) and provide specialist acute hospital services ( including in the Emergency Department ) in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City, to address these inequalities.

Daisy Hill Hospital for Life, Daisy Hill acute hospital, Newry city.

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2023. We welcome sharing of excerpts & links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Now is the time to make the case for Daisy Hill in the Reshaping Stroke Services Questionnaire

Newry City is the right place for a Hyperacute Stroke Unit and now is the time to get your views in writing to the ones who can make it happen – the Health and Social Care Board, because the Reshaping Stroke Services Pre-Consultation closes tomorrow -Fri 15 Sept 2017 at 5pm.

Please take 10minutes and use this opportunity to help Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and the largest locality in the Southern Trust -Newry & Mourne and South Armagh at long last to get the hospital services they deserve.

But the deadline is 15th Sept by 5pm – so maybe you may need some quick last minute ideas? If so, keep reading, as we have written a SUGGESTED ANSWER SHEET to view or download from this page, for anyone who wishes to use it. To get the sheet now please click on the link that follows > Reshaping Stroke Services Answers

Every person in the house can make the case for Daisy Hill Hospital- by sending views in by email or using the online questionnaire. The more the better to get the message through loud and clear to the HSCB that we wish to see stroke services in Daisy Hill enhanced and we certainly don’t agree with any plans to centralise Stroke Services away from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital to Craigavon.

You can influence this – if you take part.

The HSCB is inviting us all to tell them what we think about their proposals. You can get all consultation docs and questionnaire from http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/stroke/

Make the case for a hyperacute stroke unit in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Newry - Reshaping Stroke services Pre-consultation 2017

Please write to them with your views but if you’re not sure what to write –or just need some quick inspiration, The Daisy Hill for Life team have prepared a short document with suggested  answers to the 7 questions.

Click on the blue link that follows to view or save it > Reshaping Stroke Services Answers

These answers have been researched and the full explanations are available to see on the Daisy Hill for Life facebook page too if you need to check the reasons why.

After reading the answers we have suggested, if you’re thinking the same way,  – you can copy and paste the answers into the online questionnaire at  www.hscboard.hscni.net/response-form-stroke along with your own comments and answers.

People can also download the Suggested Answers page and copy info from it onto the downloadable word version of the questionnaire you can get from this link then send as an attachment to ReshapingStroke@hscni.net

Before you submit your response – please read the annex of the Reshaping Stroke Services in NI -Pre-consultation Document (p51-52) regarding the confidentiality of responses in the context of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.
Please remember to add your NAME and ADDRESS – or it will not count.

The last time to submit views is by 5pm on Friday 15th September

Thank you all for all your continuing support – we can do it!
As a community we are strong!

Background info:

“From the time the patient arrives at the door, every minute counts, and the only justifiable delay would be for performing brain imaging studies to exclude haemorrhage and for obtaining a few laboratory tests.- EVERY MINUTE MATTERS DURING A STROKE.”
‘Time is brain’ 13 Saver J L, 2006, ‘Time is Brain-Quantified’, Stroke (37), 263-266.

Newry city is the right place for a hyperacute stroke unit - make the case Reshaping stroke services NI 2017

2019 IMPORTANT UPDATE!

For new information on the 2019 NI stroke Consultation document – please see the following post:

https://savedaisyhillhospital.com/2019/05/05/ni-stroke-consultation-2019-overview/

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page where you will find current information at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. We welcome sharing of excerpts & links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Time to influence Reshaping Stroke Services 2017

The HSC Board Reshaping Stroke Services NI 2017 Document, states the findings of this  Pre- consultation “will inform the design of a new model for stroke services” for NI. (Pg 4)

YOU CAN INFLUENCE THE FINDINGS

To stop the specialist stroke services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital being centralised to a ‘proposed’ new Hyperacute stroke unit in Craigavon – we must respond & influence this stroke Pre- consultation.

Make the case for a hyperacute stroke unit in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Newry - Reshaping Stroke services Pre-consultation 2017

To save our existing stroke services, we suggest you ‘Disagree’ to the proposals until we are given more information on the EXACT LOCATION of the proposed hospitals which will provide specialist inpatient stroke services.

GIVE AN ALTERNATIVE

But we need to give an ALTERNATIVE forward looking PROPOSAL for the retention and enhancement of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital as the location for a Hyperacute stroke unit (HASU), co- located with our existing long established Acute Stroke Rehabilitation Unit, which for decades has saved many lives.

10,000 MARCHED

Newry and Mourne population Rally for enhanced Stroke services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in 2015

10,000 of us marched to save stroke services in Newry. Future health care provision is at stake here. If this centralisation of Stroke Services to Craigavon Hospital goes ahead – the Southern Trust will only provide one stroke unit to cater for a population of nearly 400,000 people – the second largest Health Trust in NI.

Newry & Mourne is projected to be the 3rd highest population in NI by 2023 -after only Belfast and Lisburn (Greater Belfast) – we are entitled to a new Hyperacute Stroke Unit – in a NEW LARGE specialist acute hospital in Newry City.

Support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital in the Reshaping stroke services Department of Health NI 2017 consultation. stroke services. Newry and Mourne is the right place for a hyperacute stroke unit.

AS A COMMUNITY WE ARE STRONG IF WE WORK TOGETHER

WE CAN DO THIS
– but we need as many people as possible to speak up for Daisy Hill STROKE UNIT again by responding to the the consultation.

Show your support to the staff of Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and speak up for all stroke patients. Thank you !

Background References:
Centralisation is referred to in the ‘Reshaping stroke Services’ Pre-consultation doc P29/30:

However, it will be proposed that the number of hospitals admitting stroke patients is reduced in future

Consultation docs are available at:
http://www.hscboard.hscni.net/stroke/
By telephone: Tel 028 9536 3054

How to respond

Responses should be returned to the Health and Social Care Board by 5.00pm on Friday 15 September 2017.

Email: reshapingstroke@hscni.net

Write to:Reshaping Stroke Services,
Commissioning Directorate,
12-22 Linenhall Street
BELFAST  BT2 8BS

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2022. We welcome sharing of excerpts & links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Daisy Hill Hospital – an acutely important fact

DAISY HILL is an ‘ACUTE’ hospital; designated by ‘Developing Better Services’ as ‘ACUTE’ to ensure accessibility to acute hospital services for ALL of the population of  the Southern part of NI. As the longest established Acute hospital in the Southern Trust, Daisy Hill is entitled to have a new enhanced hospital, as stated by Peter Hain, MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in 2005.

Daisy Hill is one of 10 acute hospitals with equal acute status in Northern Ireland -full list

There are 10 hospitals of equal ‘ACUTE’ status in NI: they are Daisy Hill Hospital, the Royal, the Mater, the City, Alnagelvin, Craigavon, Antrim, Ulster, Causeway and the South West hospital.

‘Developing Better Services’, 2003 is the most recent Government Report to thoroughly investigate the impact of the 4,6 and 9 ACUTE hospital models in NI. This Report (researched over 3 years) concluded that only the 9 acute hospital model met accessibility standards for SAFE ACCESS to EMERGENCY CARE for the WHOLE population of NI no matter where they lived –RURAL OR URBAN. The 4 or 6 model of acute hospitals, which the Donaldson Report promotes will not meet this requirement.

‘Developing Better Services’ evidence showed that 9 acute hospitals and the New South West Hospital in Enniskillen were needed – ALL with 24/7 CONSULTANT–LED A&E and 24/7 CONSULTANT-LED MATERNITY to provide a ‘seamless web of acute hospital care’ giving SAFE TIMELY ACCESS to these ‘core’ services for ALL the population of NI.

Daisy Hill Hospital is an acute hospital to provide a Seamless web of care within the NI hospital network

‘DEVELOPING BETTER SERVICES’ REPORT IS ACUTELY IMPORTANT TODAY

Both Acute and Emergency Services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital are now being investigated by the Daisy Hill Emergency Pathfinder Project so this ‘Developing Better Services’ Report remains highly relevant to the Daisy Hill Hospital Community Campaign.

CONCLUSION

Any Possible change or withdrawal of ACUTE AND EMERGENCY services from our acute hospital WILL AFFECT its designated ACUTE STATUS.

The Newry, Mourne, South Armagh Locality with a population of c.105,000 people is the largest Local Government District (Locality) in the Southern Trust.  As the 4th highest population in NI (and projected to be the 3rd highest by 2023) we are entitled to have the largest acute hospital in the Southern Trust.

Belfast has four acute hospitals for a population of 285,689.

As Daisy Hill hospital, Newry is the longest established Acute hospital in the Southern Trust, we are entitled to have a new enhanced hospital as stated by Peter Hain, MP Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in 2005.

doctor-eye clinics for Daisy Hill Hospital, Newry

As a community we must stand together united and continue to campaign to SECURE Daisy Hill ACUTE STATUS and to retain and EXPAND ALL 24/7 EMERGENCY AND ACUTE SPECIALIST SERVICES (including Children’s ED and acute services) FOR THE LONG TERM – IN DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL, Newry City. These are services we pay for.

Background info:

The Bengoa Report recommendations state Emergency and Urgent Care Services are in most need of reform. Bengoa Expert Panel Report 2016, pg 75,76. You can view the Report here:https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/publications/systems-not-structures-changing-health-and-social-care-full-report

Click to access expert-panel-full-report.pdf

Daisy Hill is a designated acute hospital and saves lives - (heart trace banner)

 

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. We welcome sharing of excerpts & links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Balanced Representation for Newry and Mourne population essential before Daisy Hill Hospital ED Pathfinder discussions

Balanced Representation for the population of Newry & Mourne is essential – before any initial Daisy Hill Hospital Pathfinder discussions on future Consultant led 24/7 Emergency Services and Acute services in Newry City.

 After initial inspection of the membership of the Pathfinder Project Group from the documents – we assert that it is unfairly balanced in favour of the Southern Trust (SHSCT)/Board management in overall membership. (See PIE CHART 1)

Initial suggested membership of Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department Pathfinder Group is unfairly balanced in favour of the Southern Trust and Health Board management

REDRESS THE BALANCE

To redress the planning and decision making balance, we are suggesting some immediate changes to the make-up of this Pathfinder Group before any community involvement is even considered, to ensure a level playing field with equal voting rights. This will ensure that community involvement is meaningful and actually impacts upon the decision making and is not merely a box ticking exercise.

NEED FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION

As the Southern Trust Management feel they are entitled to choose 13 members including the Chair, we are also entitled to choose an EQUAL number of members representing the community of patients, service users, families, staff and politicians, from the Newry, Mourne and South Armagh Locality. (See PIE CHART 2)

Redress the balance of Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department Pathfinder Group with an equal number of members representing the community of patients, service users, families, staff and politicians, from the Newry, Mourne and South Armagh Locality

We need to make sure that this is a proper forum and not just a communications pilot exercise by the Southern Trust in their attempt to implement the criteria from the Bengoa Report and the Transformation Implementation Group’s agenda.

There is a responsibility on all sides to ensure the community’s views are gathered, recorded and represented fairly.

CONCLUSION

In view of the seriousness of the threat of change / withdrawal of life-saving ACUTE AND EMERGENCY Services for both children and adults; we are entitled to full consultation and fair representation on the Daisy Hill Hospital Pathfinder Group as shown in Pie Chart 2. The Pathfinder Group is also known as the ‘SHSCT Task and Finish Group.’

Why have we not been given a level playing field in voting rights and a proper consultation?  We need to be assured of equal voting rights and proper consultation immediately.

This is not an ‘exciting project’ for us – we are the people who will bear the brunt of the removal of ED services which deals with all life threatening Emergencies WHERE EVERY MINUTE COUNTS. The present and future lives and outcomes of everyone who needs ACUTE and ED Services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital are worth fighting for.

We should not have to fight to get Acute & ED services which we have paid for, and is our right.

Background info:

Project Name: Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department Pathfinder Project With Identification of Regional Learning.

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

DAISY HILL HOSPITAL ED PATHFINDER PROJECT – PROPOSALS 1

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Department serves the entire area of Newry and Mourne and South Armagh the largest popultation in the Southern Trust

The people of Newry & Mourne have been invited to take part in Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Pathfinder meetings with Dr Anne-Marie Telford to discuss how they can work with the Southern Trust:

“to develop a long term plan which will stabilise, safeguard and sustain local emergency care services.” 

We have some thoughts and proposals on this for you to consider – Are these meetings, instead of just being about the Emergency Department – also part of a verbal consultation by the Southern Trust and Health and Social Care Board that starts us on the Bengoa Report Reform, which includes the further change/withdrawal of services, without telling us?

It seems likely, as the Bengoa Report places Emergency & urgent care as Priority 1 : in most need of reform.

In this post we would like to suggest some questions which need answers, and put forward proposals for readers to consider. We think the proposals could be a good starting point to help tackle this concern.

hospital corridor

 

WHAT WILL THE COMMUNITY GAIN FROM TAKING PART IN THE PATHFINDER PROJECT?

What difference will these August meetings make to secure PERMANENT, LONG TERM Consultant- led 24/7 EMERGENCY & ACUTE services in Newry, Mourne and South Armagh Area Acute Hospital – Daisy Hill?

We request that the Southern Trust and Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) explain urgently to the public exactly what they are asking us to support by participating in the Pathfinder Project.  As it is not clear, we request the SHSCT and HSCB to publicly tell us what’s in it for us and WHAT IS AT STAKE before they ask us to participate in individual interviews with Dr Telford.

Daisy Hill Hospital Emergency Department is vital for stroke and life threatening emergencies

Proposals to help deal with the unanswered questions

WHAT WE CALL FOR:  (PROPOSAL 1)

(1) The Health Board/Trust /Public Health Authority host a PUBLIC MEETING in Newry City with the following agenda:

(a) To inform the public the clear purpose of the Pathfinder Project

(b) To give a clear explanation on exactly which services are being ‘changed or withdrawn’ from Daisy Hill Acute Hospital.

(c) Explain what progress the SHSCT recruitment team have made to date, with regard to recruitment for Daisy Hill Emergency Department.

(d) Tell us what Questions will be asked in the verbal interviews with Dr Anne-Marie Telford.

WHAT WE CALL FOR:  (PROPOSAL 2)

(2) We would like A FULL WRITTEN CONSULTATION (as part of the first 20 weeks of the Pathfinder Project) so we can make an informed decision before participating.

The 2 Proposals explained

(1) PUBLIC MEETING, hosted by the Health and Social Care Board/ Public Health Authority/ Southern Trust,  required to be held in Newry City to address and answer the following 4 important Questions.

(1a)What is the PURPOSE of the Pathfinder Project?

Before we consider participation in the Pathfinder Project – it would be mutually beneficial if the Southern Trust (SHSCT), Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and Public Health Authority hold a public meeting in Newry City (in a suitable large venue) where they can openly explain to the wider public, hospital staff and Unions exactly what is the clear purpose of the Pathfinder Project. This is an opportunity for the SHSCT and HSCB to explain to the public their future long term plans for Newry Mourne and South Armagh Area Acute Hospital – Daisy Hill.

(1B) WHICH DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL SERVICES WILL BE AFFECTED?

Rather than using the blanket terms of ‘Acute and Emergency services’ in the Pathfinder Project Documents – we request that the Southern Trust and HSCB explain to us in plain language and define exactly which ‘ACUTE AND EMERGENCY CARE’ services in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital will be affected and will they be  changed or withdrawn?

Does the term ‘unscheduled care needs’ or ‘Acute and Emergency Care ’ mean all  scenarios including  children’s emergency, emergency surgery, stroke, heart, unavoidable accidents (work, school, home  and sporting accidents)? Does this also include emergency treatment for car accident victims and emergency caesareans where there is only 30 minutes to save the life of mother and baby? Under EU directives there must be a functioning hospital for mothers and babies. In addition – what ACUTE SERVICES are being affected?

What progress have the Southern Trust recruitment team made to date recruiting for Daisy Hill Emergency department?

(1C) WHAT PROGRESS HAVE THE RECRUITMENT TEAM MADE?

As the original issue publicly reported by the Southern Trust was RECRUITMENT of medical staff for DHH at night in the Summer months – At this public meeting we need to see the continued detailed efforts of the SHSCT Recruitment Team in finding medical staff for Daisy Hill ACUTE HOSPITAL. This must include the detailed job adverts for Craigavon Hospital as well as for Daisy Hill Hospital.

1 (d) We would also like the public meeting to advise us what Questions will be asked in the verbal meetings with Dr Anne-Marie Telford and how will this information be recorded/collated? How will this information be reported back to the Pathfinder group? What impact will it have?

(2) WE REQUEST A FULL WRITTEN CONSULTATION, and not just a verbal consultation

– a written consultation is our right under ‘Change or Withdrawal’ of services. While some may welcome the opportunity to attend a face to face consultation, not everyone will be able, or available to attend the meetings so there must be a written option too.

As part of ‘meaningful consultation’ – Under the 2009 Act on ‘change or withdrawal of services’ – we are entitled to 3 months WRITTEN PUBLIC CONSULTATION so we can make an informed decision BEFORE we participate in the Pathfinder Project. This written consultation must be included as part of the first 20 week period – as a ‘final decision’ is being made after 20 weeks. We need to know what impact will this ‘final decision’ have on ‘acute and emergency care services’ in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry City?

As part of this consultation document the Southern Trust and the HSCB should tell us in writing, exactly what service change they are planning and why, in clear terms.

We require a full written consultation for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Pathfinder Project

A comparison with the Consultation into the Belfast Trust’s change in Adult Emergency Department services

This WRITTEN CONSULTATION must include OPTIONS for possible reconfiguration of services as was undertaken by the HSCB Board for withdrawal of Adult Emergency services in the urban areas of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust when ED services were only being moved (approx 1.2 miles down the road) from the City Hospital to the Royal. It is vital to note that in the Belfast consultation, the children’s emergency services were not threatened with closure. The HSCB Consultation in Belfast included detailed written explanation for the public.

Newry & Mourne, as the largest locality in the Southern Trust should have the same written public consultation as the population of the Belfast Trust – now- at the start of this 80 week project for the public to be meaningful involved from the start.

CONCLUSION

The united community of Newry and Mourne works together for Daisy Hill Acute Hospital

CALL TO ACTION: If you agree with these proposals/ideas:

Please write to the Chairperson/Mayor of Newry, Mourne & Down Council; Councillor Roisin Mulgrew and also to all our MPs, MLAs and Councillors who represent us, and ask for the following:

  1.  A PUBLIC MEETING hosted by the Health and Social Care Board/ Public Health Authority/ Southern Trust in Newry City addressing the 4 points in this post above.
  2. A written public consultation to accompany the Pathfinder Project in addition to the verbal meetings.

REFERENCES & CONTACT INFO for public representatives:

Newry Mourne & Down Council

Mayor of Newry, Mourne & Down Council; Councillor Roisin Mulgrew

By Post: Newry, Mourne & Down Council, Monaghan Row, Newry, BT35 8DJ, Northern Ireland.
By Email: roisin.mulgrew@nmandd.org
Newry, Mourne and Down Council Telephone: 0300 013 2233

Chief Executive; Mr Liam Hannaway at the same address or by email, care of: info@nmandd.org

Elected members (Councillors) :

http://www.newrymournedown.org/elected_members

MLAs; MP; MEPs

A List of our MLAs and MP, MEPs is available to view at: Write to them website

Newry & Armagh MLAs

Contact info: http://aims.niassembly.gov.uk/mlas/contacts.aspx

From this page, Filter by Constituency > Newry & Armagh

Then select Address> Constituency Offices for local contact addresses for MLAs.

Please EMAIL your councillors MLAs and MPs to support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital

Thank you for reading this post. Please share the proposals if you agree. We must all stay united and continue to support Daisy Hill Acute Hospital and its wonderful dedicated staff.

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. We welcome the sharing of excerpts and links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency department in the news

Daisy Hill Emergency Department served 53555+ people in 2016 - banner

The function of the Southern Trust is: ‘TO PROVIDE ACCOMMODATION AND SERVICES IN DAISY HILL HOSPITAL, ARMAGH HOSPITAL, SOUTH TYRONE HOSPITAL AND CRAIGAVON HOSPITAL’ (under the 2006 Establishment Order.) The SHSCT are paid £20 million per year of our public money and have 1,600+ admin staff to do this.

The Southern Trust have landed us with a very serious problem – by proposing that they may be unable to treat emergency patients in Daisy Hill Emergency Department at night. In response some councillors say they intend to bring an emergency motion to Newry, Mourne and Down Council meeting on Monday 3rd April 2017.

Help defend services at Daisy Hill Hospital

In 2015 the former Newry & Mourne District Council organised an excellent public meeting in Bellinis followed by a March of over 10,000 people

– please lobby all our Councillors to get Newry, Mourne and Down council to hold ANOTHER MEETING for ALL ACUTE SERVICES in DAISY HILL ACUTE HOSPITAL and insist on getting an answer from the HSCB.

Pre-paid Service

The Council ‘set rates’ which go towards paying for hospital services including Emergency services in this area. We are pre-paying for a service that the Southern Trust are now warning they may “temporarily suspend” at night in the Emergency Department with a weak excuse that they cannot get staff.

Equality of Access

For the sake of everyone in our community-including families and children and those who can’t speak up for their rights -we demand 24/7 equality of access to hospital accommodation and services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital – as is our right. If the Department can find £11.7 million for electrical infrastructure for Craigavon Hospital – they can find funds to staff DHH A&E 24/7.Childrens services must be kept at Daisy Hill Acute hospital, New

Action

As a community we also need to write again to the HSCB and Public Health Authority (PHA) quoting their own information. The booklet given to us at the meetings as part of the Consultation on Criteria for Reconfiguration Health and Social Care Services (pg 23) (link at end of comment to document** )states: The Role of the HSCB is: “as the lead commissioner, the Health and Social Care Board, working with the Public Health Agency, has the primary responsibility for assessing the needs of the population at local and regional level and for setting the strategic direction for services provision in response to those needs.”

Public Involvement in Decision Making

Also page 24 shows the part we can play in this decision making. A direct quote from this document states Under Change or Withdrawal of services: “Personal and Public Involvement: Patients, clients, carers and communities should be at the centre of decision making in health and social care. This means that they must be MEANINGFULLY INVOLVED in the planning, delivery and evaluation of their services.

HSC BODIES are ACCOUNTABLE to people and communities for the quality, ACCESSIBILITY and responsiveness of the services they plan and provide…. the Reform Act places “ A STATUTORY requirement on all HSC bodies to INVOLVE AND CONSULT THE PUBLIC ABOUT PROPOSALS AND DECISIONS in the planning, commissioning and delivery of health and social care services.”(pg 24 Consultation on Criteria for Reconfiguring Health and Social Care Services**: see link below)

In view of this, they are not entitled – in a take it or leave it attitude to tell us they can’t get staff IN NEWRY ONLY and how they are going to spend our public money on hospital services while still continuing to spend our allocated MONEY ON HOSPITAL SERVICES ELSEWHERE. We are entitled to EQUALITY OF ACCESS to 24/7 Emergency Care in Daisy Hill Acute Hospital – we are being given unfavourable treatment in comparison to the people of Craigavon locality who are not being denied 24/7 access to Emergency services.

Newry & Mourne presently has the 4th highest population in NI and will have the 3rd highest population in NI by 2023 after only Belfast and Lisburn. The Health needs of Newry & Mourne Locality (one locality- which includes South Armagh) – the largest population in the Southern Trust can be ignored no longer. We deserve the same hospital services as are provided in Altnagelvin.

The Southern Trust cannot be allowed to wash their hands of their responsibility to provide Emergency Services at Daisy Hill Acute Hospital (at night) – like they did with our responses to the Stroke Consultation. They are not allowed to put people’s lives at risk.

Please share the news with friends, family everyone you know including Councillors, MLAs and MPs.

Daisy Hill Hospital A and E Department is vital for stroke and lif

An Ultimatum with no alternatives?

If Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Department closes at night – where are we supposed to go? THEY CANNOT GIVE US AN ULTIMATUM WITH NO ALTERNATIVES.

Where are ambulances supposed to bring dying stroke and coronary care patients as well as children and all other emergencies?

How can they possibly close DHH A&E at night when: in 2016 – 53,556 people attended Daisy Hill Acute Hospital Emergency Department. So who is going to treat these emergency patients – men, women, babies and children?

What happens to the people who are waiting in A&E when they close the doors? People will die as a result of this. NO EXCUSES can justify refusing to treat emergency patients (including stroke) WITH NO NEARBY ALTERNATIVE.

Daisy Hill Emergency Department served 53555+ people in 2016 - bannerWaiting Stats in other Emergency Departments

Belfast and Craigavon Hospitals are the nearest Emergency Departments but in 2016- in Craigavon Hospital 26,594 people waited between 5 to 12 hours and 369 people waited over 12 hours to be seen in the Emergency Department so we can’t possibly be expected to go there in pain – particularly at night.

Also, in the year 2016 in the Royal A&E, 32,664 people waited to be seen between 5 to 12 hours and 698 people waited over 12 hours to be seen in the Emergency Department.

For the same year ending Dec 2016 in Antrim Hospital A&E –27,608 people waited between 5 to 12 hours and 1,558 people waited over 12 hours in A&E to be seen .

There is obviously a shortage of A&E staff everywhere but the Southern Trust inexcusably seem to think only the Newry & Mourne Locality can do without emergency services at night.

Daisy Hill Hospital is an acute hospital in Newry

Daisy Hill Hospital – designated Acute hospital in Newry.

Conclusion

Daisy Hill is a designated acute hospital and MUST have an Emergency Department. The Southern Trust will be responsible for creating a serious equality and public safety issue if their latest proposals go ahead.

Please lobby all our Councillors. As the Council is our representative – request that they hold a public meeting and demand answers from the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) and the Public Health Authority (PHA) and the Department and insist on getting answers. Thank you for supporting Daisy Hill acute Hospital.

BACKGROUND INFO:

https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/…/hsc-reconfiguration-consulta… **(link to info provided at Department of Health Meeting – go to Annex A, p23 and 24, Section 7: Personal and Public Involvement, “HSC bodies are accountable to people and communities for the quality, accessibility and responsiveness of the services they plan and provide….

See newrytimes.com and other press for news of proposed emergency motion at council meeting .

You can follow the Daisy Hill Acute Hospital campaign also by visiting and liking our FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/daisyhillforlife/ – Thank you.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. We welcome sharing and use of Excerpts and links, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. Thank-you!

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Evidence – what Evidence?

The word ‘evidence’ is used a lot in the Bengoa Report and this word alone tries to justify taking acute Specialist Stroke Services from Daisy Hill to offer them only in Craigavon. But the actual ‘evidence’ is NOT PROVIDED in either the Bengoa Report, or the Criteria document, nor is there a list of References WHERE the evidence came from, at the back of either the Report or the Executive Summary, as you would expect in any piece of scholarly work. The Bengoa Report (Systems not Structures – Changing Health and Social Care – Full Report can be read here.

Re change in specialist stroke services in the Southern Trust, What is the evidence? Has it been validated? Who provided the evidence? These 3 Q'S need answers to verify the ‘evidence’ on outcomes for Criteria No 1 in the Consultation on criteria for reconfiguring HSC services

These 3 Q’S need answers to verify the ‘evidence’ on outcomes for Criteria No 1 on the consultation on criteria for reconfiguring HSC services

The Bengoa Report states the case for change must be “fully evidenced”. It also states how this must be done:

“Clinicians must identify the evidence for change, managers must ensure the correct processes are followed, and the Minister, supported by the executive, must act quickly to take the final decision. All three groups will need to be prepared to defend the decision publicly.”

Therefore – we think the Questions shown in the picture need to be asked and we are entitled to answers.

Without these answers – the use of the word evidence alone is NULL and VOID. Given the whole of the criteria are based on ‘evidence’ and must be addressed urgently (Recommendation 13) – The Public who are paying for the services need to know WHAT IS THIS EVIDENCE before such services changes by centralisation of services are made across N Ireland including specialist Stroke Services and A&E.

BE AWARE! – there is no doubt that agreeing to the criteria will be the first step in AGREEING to centralisation ( or otherwise known as “rationalization”) of many specialist services from Daisy Hill Hospital as shown below in the extracts from the Bengoa Expert Panel Report, 2016, page 75-76

Based on the evidence the panel has received, the specialties that are currently in most need of reform would seem to be:
Priority 1
EMERGENCY & URGENT CARE, STROKE SERVICES, PRIMARY CARE INCLUDING GP OUT OF HOURS, GENERAL SURGERY, PATHOLOGY, VASCULAR

Priority 2
PAEDIATRICS, PALLIATIVE CARE, OBSTETRICS, RADIOLOGY, NEONATAL SERVICES, TRAUMA,
UROLOGY, REHABILITATION, COMMUNITY BASED ELDERLY CARE, BREAST SERVICES

RECOMMENDATION 13
The Panel recommends that the Department should formally endorse the criteria and apply them to five services each year to set out the future configuration of services to be commissioned (or not) from the Accountable Care Systems. If applying the criteria leads to the conclusion that the service is vulnerable, plans for reconfiguration should be developed and actioned within this twelve month period.

(Source: Bengoa Expert Panel Report, 2016, page 75-76)

It should also be noted that the Dept. of Health was very clear at the first meeting on 16th January that they want us to ‘have our say’ on only the Criteria, but as this criteria comes directly from the Bengoa Report – it is NOT possible to separate the two even though it would be convenient for them for us to do so.

Health Minister Michelle O’Neill has extended the period of consultation on the criteria for reconfiguring health and social care services by a further two weeks at the request of the public. Speaking about the decision to extend the period of consultation the Minister Michelle O’Neill said:

“The views of the public are vital in bringing forward change and I want to ensure that as many as possible get the opportunity to put their views forward. The meetings provide a real opportunity for the public to engage directly with senior professional medical, nursing and policy staff from the Department of Health.  These criteria will be instrumental in shaping change across HSC and it is critical we get it right.

“I would like to assure the public that full consideration will be given to the views expressed as part of this process in determining the way forward.”

As we have been invited to ask Q’s at the second Dept of Health meeting on Monday 30th January, Newry, Canal Court Hotel,  7 pm – 9 pm, it is VITAL we use this opportunity to ask the 3 Q’S as stated in the picture – as the answers are needed to verify the ‘evidence’ on outcomes for Criteria No 1.

Thank-you to all who continue to speak up and show support for Daisy Hill Hospital to keep it for future generations.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

This website is a free website from WordPress and adverts which appear here are not endorsed or controlled by the Web admin team of Save Daisy Hill Hospital.com

Speak up for Daisy Hill Hospital – 2017

Speak up for Daisy Hill and submit your views to the consultation by 20th Jan 2017

This meeting on Mon 16th Jan in Newry hosted by the Department of Health is the last chance to find out info on the criteria from the Bengoa Report for changing the Health service in NI and its effects on people in Newry & Mourne, before the consultation period closes, 4 days later on 20th January 2017. We should ask for the Consultation period to be extended further than the deadline of 20th January, 2017.

Speak up and Take part in the Dept. of Health consultation to keep specialist services at Daisy Hill Hospital

Speak up and take part in the Dept. of Health meeting and consultation. Consultation closes 20th January 2017

At the Meeting we will hear the Department of Health’s reasons for proposed Centralisation of services. There are proposals to look at the centralisation of the following specialist services: Stroke services, Emergency and Urgent Care (A&E), GP out of hours, general surgery, paediatrics, neo natal services,  obstetrics, rehabilitation, community based elderly care, etc., (see Bengoa Report pg 76)

The decision on the proposed withdrawal of specialist acute stroke and rehabilitation services from Level 6 Daisy Hill Acute Hospital, Newry –  used as the only local case study in the Bengoa Panel was and still is very controversial and should be examined before final approval is given for removal of stroke services . The Department/Health Minister can intervene if a decision to withdraw services is controversial. This can be shown by the following quote showing the Department of Health’s position on change or withdrawal of Services issued November 2014:                                                                                                             

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH POLICY GUIDANCE CIRCULAR :
Change or withdrawal of services– Guidance on Roles and Responsibilities, Intro 2:

“This means there are likely to be occasions when decisions about services, properly arrived at by the relevant Arms Length Body (ALB), will need the final approval of the Department/Minister because they are major or controversial in nature”.

(Annex 1 ,page 23 Health & Wellbeing 2026 Consultation on Criteria for Reconfiguring Health & Social Care Services)

Therefore -they can look again at decisions made by the Southern Trust and Commissioners and see if the information is accurate and then make the final decision.

The Bengoa Panel Report itself, which selected the criteria – highlights the proposed centralisation of stroke services from Daisy Hill hospital to Craigavon as a major Local Case Study of best practice – to be up-scaled throughout NI.  The Bengoa Report Criteria will be used as a guideline for future plans and this is why it is so important for the people of Newry & Mourne to attend this meeting and ask questions. If we do not question it and give our views, at the meeting and in writing- these criteria will be used to centralise services in Newry & Mourne to Craigavon.  This consultation is different to previous ones, as it is the actual Department of Health, led by Health Minister Michelle O’Neill MLA- so we are optimistic that they may actually listen if enough people answer.

© Daisy Hill for Life on Facebook and http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com, 2015 – 2017. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to http://www.savedaisyhillhospital.com and Daisy Hill for Life with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.