§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how the risk assessment carried out by clinicians in relation to the transfer of maternity services from Wycombe Hospital to Stoke Mandeville proposed in the Shaping Health Services document published by the Mid and South Bucks Health Community was carried out. [167487]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 22 April 2004]: In line with our policy on "Shifting the Balance of Power", the responsibility for the provision of local services now rest with local trusts. It is now for primary care trusts, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services, based on the specialised knowledge they have of the local community.
However, I have been informed that a range of activities have been undertaken to date to evaluate the risks associated with a range of options for configuring paediatric and maternity services within the Buckinghamshire Hospitals National Health Service Trust.
These include:
A review of a range of literature and evidence including the guidance from the relevant Royal Colleges.The establishment of a women and children's project group as a sub group of the "Shaping Health Services" project board, 959W which involves a wider range of stakeholders including the National Childbirth Trust and patient/public representatives, and has met on a regular basis since December 2003.A range of meetings with the senior staff, consultants, nurses and midwives, since September 2003.A half-day workshop with consultants, nurses, midwives and managers.External expert support from Mr. Nick Naftelin, obstetrics and gynaecology consultant, who works for the Modernisation Agency and has advised throughout the process.Visits to other units to learn about other models of care.
Total attendances at accident and emergency departments, minor injury units (MUIs) and walk in centres (WICs) by type, NHS organisations in Dorset—2003–04
Quarter 3 Type 1 Type 2 Type 3 Type 3 Total Organisation Major A&E Speciality A&E Other A&E/MUIs WICs All types South and East Dorset PCT 0 0 1,378 0 1,378 South West Dorset PCT 0 0 1,342 0 1,342 West Dorset General Hospitals Trust 7,369 0 2,828 0 10,197 Poole Hospitals NHS Trust 12,470 0 0 0 12,470 Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Trust 19,740 3,976 0 0 23,716 Source: Department of Health dataset QMAE
§ Mrs.BrookeTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans there are for improving the current provision of treatment for minor injuries in the Poole and Wimborne area. [168823]
§ Ms Rosie Winterton[holding answer 26 April 2004]: In line with our policy on "Shifting the Balance of Power", the responsibility for the provision of local services now rest with local trusts. It is now for primary care trusts (PCTs), in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services, based on the specialised knowledge they have of the local community.
However, I understand that there was recently a consultation exercise relating to the future of minor injury provision in Wimborne, Dorset. Consultation is now officially over and this will be discussed at the South and East Dorset PCT board meeting on 19 May 2004.