Traumatic times

It is surprising, to say the least, that the chief operating officer of the CCG finds the musculoskeletal services in Sussex have become ‘fragmented’ (Gazette, September 11).
By The Newsroom
Published 21st Sep 2014, 11:00 BST
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Surprising because, only last week, Mark Jennings, the commercial director of the Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, received a commendation from the national hip fracture database, praising the trust’s efficiency in dealing with fractures or broken hips in the elderly – the same surgeons deal with hip and knee replacements.

Of course, services can always be improved, but the hospitals trust is very proud of the efficient way in which these services are currently delivered by our dedicated and caring staff, based on sound clinical expertise, patient feedback and understanding the needs of the population we serve. This is all against a backdrop of the unprecedented increase in demand for health services.

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How extraordinary that BUPA and Central Surrey Healthcare have still not communicated details of the way in which services are to be delivered. The hospitals trust is urgently seeking clarification of how physiotherapy, rheumatology, pain management, musculoskeletal and orthopaedic services will be provided.

The uncertainty surrounding these decisions makes everyone confused and very anxious. Trauma is not even included in the contract!

According to a Worthing orthopaedic surgeon recently, it has taken 20 years to achieve this level of service and efficiency in caring for these patients.

The trust, after submitting a strong and realistic bid, in partnership with other NHS and not-for-profit organisations, will lose £235m from its already over-stretched budget and, although consideration is being given to appealing against the decision, one can’t help feeling the chances of success are fairly remote.

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I sincerely hope that the privatisation of this service, particularly taking account of local needs, will, as promised, have an improved outcome for all our patients.

Margaret Boulton, elected governor for Arun of the Western Sussex Hospitals Foundation Trust

St Mary’s Close

Littlehampton

• Want to share your views? Send your letters by email: [email protected] or post to Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.

Related topics:CCGSussexWorthing