Save Hinchingbrooke Hospital

Health PCT agrees to close beds

A primary care trust (PCT) which covers Suffolk and Norfolk has approved the temporary closure of in-patient beds in a bid to save up to £100,000.

The board of Great Yarmouth and Waveney unanimously decided to close 12 beds at Patrick Stead Hospital, Halesworth.

The beds will be closed on 8 January, next year, but members agreed to reopen them as soon as possible after the new financial year begins in April 2007.
the decision was made at a board meeting in Beccles on Wednesday.
Mike Stonard, PCT chief executive, said: "There is no intention as part of this temporary measure to close any of the three community hospitals sites and other clinical services will be maintained."
The PCT has to make £7.7m of savings by 31 March next year.

 WELL, ROBBING PETER AGAIN JUST TO BALANCE BOOKS, AND YOU NOTICE THAT THE 3 COMMUNITY HOSPITALS WON'T BE TOUCHED -
THIS IS BECAUSE IT WILL FORM PART OF THE "CARE CLOSER TO HOME" FORMULA THE GOVERNMENT THINKS WILL SAVE MONEY -
WHERE IS THE FUNDING TO PROVIDE THIS, WHERE IS IT SET UP, WHAT ARE THE COSTS, WILL PATIENTS REALLY BE SEEN ON TIME, HOW FAR WILL THE PRACTITIONERS HAVE TO TRAVEL, COSTS OF VEHICLES, MOBILE PHONES FOR LONE WORKERS, TRAFFIC ISSUES LIKE ACCIDENTS AND WEATHER CONDITIONS, HOW MANY APPOINTMENTS WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED DAILY, MORE AND WHO WILL TAKE THE BLAME WHEN SOMEONE DIES?