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Neurosurgeons want single centre Neurosurgeons want single centre
(30 minutes later)
Surgeons have signed a letter calling for all neurosurgery in Wales to be based at a single site.Surgeons have signed a letter calling for all neurosurgery in Wales to be based at a single site.
This is despite Welsh Assembly Government plans to develop two centres, at hospitals in Cardiff and Swansea.This is despite Welsh Assembly Government plans to develop two centres, at hospitals in Cardiff and Swansea.
Writing to the deputy chief medical officer, Professor Mike Harmer, the surgeons say a single site would provide a "safe and effective service".Writing to the deputy chief medical officer, Professor Mike Harmer, the surgeons say a single site would provide a "safe and effective service".
Professor Harmer said the consultants' views would be considered.Professor Harmer said the consultants' views would be considered.
"We welcome the view from the neurosurgeons. This will be considered as part of the ongoing implementation of the Steers report recommendations," he said."We welcome the view from the neurosurgeons. This will be considered as part of the ongoing implementation of the Steers report recommendations," he said.
In September, the health minister Edwina Hart announced a 'clinical network' would allow services to stay at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff and Morriston Hospital in Swansea.In September, the health minister Edwina Hart announced a 'clinical network' would allow services to stay at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff and Morriston Hospital in Swansea.
It meant specialist staff would work at the two sites, keeping them both open.It meant specialist staff would work at the two sites, keeping them both open.
This followed a review led by Professor James Steers, a consultant neurosurgeon from Edinburgh. A sustainable future can only be achieved with a single neurosurgery unit Richard Hatfield, consultant neurosurgeonThis followed a review led by Professor James Steers, a consultant neurosurgeon from Edinburgh. A sustainable future can only be achieved with a single neurosurgery unit Richard Hatfield, consultant neurosurgeon
Dr Alan Axford of Hywel Dda NHS Trust is to lead a group looking at how to implement that decision in the new year.Dr Alan Axford of Hywel Dda NHS Trust is to lead a group looking at how to implement that decision in the new year.
Patients in north Wales will continue to receive treatment at Walton Hospital in Liverpool.Patients in north Wales will continue to receive treatment at Walton Hospital in Liverpool.
But Richard Hatfield, a consultant neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff, said sustaining two units was "not viable".But Richard Hatfield, a consultant neurosurgeon at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff, said sustaining two units was "not viable".
He warned non-emergency treatments may have to be cut back before the end of the year if the situation remained the same.He warned non-emergency treatments may have to be cut back before the end of the year if the situation remained the same.
"The way things are going at the moment even by after Christmas we'll be having difficulty providing a full service," he told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme."The way things are going at the moment even by after Christmas we'll be having difficulty providing a full service," he told BBC Wales' Dragon's Eye programme.
"The difficulties are really taken in the form of having enough junior staff to provide 24 hour services and something will have to give."The difficulties are really taken in the form of having enough junior staff to provide 24 hour services and something will have to give.
"A sustainable future can only be achieved with a single neurosurgery unit.""A sustainable future can only be achieved with a single neurosurgery unit."
Professor Ann Rosser from Cardiff University's School of Biosciences said she feared political interference was jeopardising the work of research teams there.Professor Ann Rosser from Cardiff University's School of Biosciences said she feared political interference was jeopardising the work of research teams there.
"From the point of view of developing really high quality international research there's a critical mass that's required and we really need a centre of excellence here in Cardiff," she said."From the point of view of developing really high quality international research there's a critical mass that's required and we really need a centre of excellence here in Cardiff," she said.
'Unsustainable''Unsustainable'
In 2006, a review by Health Commission Wales recommended complex surgery should only be carried out in Cardiff and warned that keeping two sites open would be unsustainable.In 2006, a review by Health Commission Wales recommended complex surgery should only be carried out in Cardiff and warned that keeping two sites open would be unsustainable.
But plans to close the neurosurgery unit at Morriston Hospital were put on hold after a high profile campaign.But plans to close the neurosurgery unit at Morriston Hospital were put on hold after a high profile campaign.
The Conservative health spokesman Jonathan Morgan said Mrs Hart should "start listening to the experts".The Conservative health spokesman Jonathan Morgan said Mrs Hart should "start listening to the experts".
"This idea that we can continue in the medium and long term by having two sites is a nonsense and I think the minister has to accept that only one site is viable in the long term," he said."This idea that we can continue in the medium and long term by having two sites is a nonsense and I think the minister has to accept that only one site is viable in the long term," he said.
Peter Black, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman said there was a danger services in both cities would "wither on the vine" if the concerns of consultants were not addressed.Peter Black, the Liberal Democrat health spokesman said there was a danger services in both cities would "wither on the vine" if the concerns of consultants were not addressed.
"This letter reinforces my suspicion that the health minister has misrepresented the Steers Report into neurosurgery and opted for a political solution that will put the whole future of the service in doubt in the long term," he said. 'Travelling distance'
"I have argued from the beginning that there needs to be a single neurosurgical service and that Swansea is the logical place to site it. "I have argued from the beginning that there needs to be a single neurosurgical service and that Swansea is the logical place to site it," he said.
"It has good communications links, is geographically central and together with the Bristol service will ensure that the whole of South Wales is within easy travelling distance of a service." "It has good communications links, is geographically central and together with the Bristol service will ensure that the whole of south Wales is within easy travelling distance of a service."
In a statement, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust said it fully supported the recommendations of Professor Steers' report.In a statement, Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust said it fully supported the recommendations of Professor Steers' report.
"We will be working with Dr Alan Axford to implement the recommendations of the report, and with Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to develop the services for all patients, right across south Wales," it said."We will be working with Dr Alan Axford to implement the recommendations of the report, and with Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust to develop the services for all patients, right across south Wales," it said.
"While Mr Axford's work with the implementation group is ongoing it would be inappropriate for the trust to comment any further.""While Mr Axford's work with the implementation group is ongoing it would be inappropriate for the trust to comment any further."
Responding to Mr Morgan's and Mr Black's comments, a spokesperson for Edwina Hart said: "The minister has invested a lot of time and effort in these issues to ensure that there is a good service provided to all the people of Wales.Responding to Mr Morgan's and Mr Black's comments, a spokesperson for Edwina Hart said: "The minister has invested a lot of time and effort in these issues to ensure that there is a good service provided to all the people of Wales.
"Unfortunately, she finds it all too predictable that opposition members would seek to make mischief in this way.""Unfortunately, she finds it all too predictable that opposition members would seek to make mischief in this way."