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Doctors examine NHS change plans Doctors examine NHS change plans
(about 22 hours later)
Two intensive care consultants at a West Sussex hospital have produced their own report about proposed health service changes in the county.Two intensive care consultants at a West Sussex hospital have produced their own report about proposed health service changes in the county.
Dr Richard Venn and Dr Lui Forni, both from Worthing Hospital, are challenging the arguments given in favour of moving care from hospitals into the community.Dr Richard Venn and Dr Lui Forni, both from Worthing Hospital, are challenging the arguments given in favour of moving care from hospitals into the community.
They have examined plans put forward by West Sussex Primary Care Trust and four other PCTs in Surrey and Sussex.They have examined plans put forward by West Sussex Primary Care Trust and four other PCTs in Surrey and Sussex.
The PCTs involved have said they would "listen to people's views". The trust welcomed the "detailed response" from the consultants.
But NHS bosses have said "minor change is unlikely to be sufficient". NHS bosses have already said "minor change is unlikely to be sufficient" when it comes to the future of healthcare.
Hospitals threatened
John Wilderspin, chief executive of West Sussex PCT, said: "The way healthcare is provided across Surrey and Sussex must change to ensure safe, sustainable and affordable services for the next 10 to 20 years."
The former Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority - now NHS South East Coast - began a programme for change called "Creating an NHS Fit for the Future" in May.The former Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority - now NHS South East Coast - began a programme for change called "Creating an NHS Fit for the Future" in May.
But Dr Venn and Dr Forni have now produced a 20-page report entitled "Fit for whose future?".But Dr Venn and Dr Forni have now produced a 20-page report entitled "Fit for whose future?".
They said it looked at "the reality of the proposed shift from hospital to community care".They said it looked at "the reality of the proposed shift from hospital to community care".
Hospital closures Worthing Hospital could lose some of its emergency services
The Fit for the Future plans are aimed at dealing with financial pressures in the NHS, as well as "strengthening community services and making urgent care much more convenient". Mr Wilderspin said Fit for the Future had identified "many treatments can now safely be provided outside hospitals, which is more convenient for patients".
But some hospitals, including Worthing and nearby Southlands, could lose emergency care services or even be shut.But some hospitals, including Worthing and nearby Southlands, could lose emergency care services or even be shut.
The doctors' report said: "It would be inconceivable that the 1,000 patients currently treated each day... could be handled by other hospitals."The doctors' report said: "It would be inconceivable that the 1,000 patients currently treated each day... could be handled by other hospitals."
Dr Venn and Dr Forni said the public did not want more community-based care if it meant hospitals being closed, while there were also concerns about patients being put at risk. West Sussex PCT said there might "not be the need to maintain the same level of services at acute hospitals", but insisted that patient travelling times would be taken into account.
They said they hoped their report would contribute to formal public consultation planned for the new year. Mr Wilderspin added the doctors' comments would "help to shape the formal public consultation process which is likely to start early next year".
Protests over possible hospital cuts have been held in Worthing, Haywards Heath, Chichester and Bognor Regis in West Sussex, Eastbourne and Hastings in East Sussex, and Guildford and Epsom in Surrey. Protests over possible hospital cuts have been held across East and West Sussex, and Surrey.