Formal titles -“INTO THE FUTURE Re-shaping community based health services”
'Driving quality, delivering value, improving services'
In fact – closing four Community Hospitals (CHs), including Ashburton/Buckfastleigh and substituting 'Care at Home'
The consultation extended from 1st of September 2016 to 23rd of November
21 December 2016
PREAMBLE
This briefing paper has been written in the event of the committee of the League of Friends of the Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Community Hospital (A&BL LoF) deciding that an application should be sought for a Judicial Review about elements of the consultation conducted by the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (SD&T CCG)
I made detailed responses to the 'consultation' 21st November but 'interacted' with the CCG many times before. The document provides useful context and contains two, or possibly three elements which a barrister might consider justiciable. (1)
The SD&T CCG, like all others, was set up by the Health and Social Care Act of 1st April 2012. It was charged with commissioning medical services and, presumably, in pursuing efficiency, economy and safety in those services. The South Devon Care Trust, which had direct reponsibility for the Community Hospitals, launched the first consultation on the proposal to close CHs and substitute 'care at home' in the autumn of 2012. That ran into the sand. SD&T CCG has been consulting (wearing down) about these proposals throughout 2014 – 2016, with the formal period as noted above.
A large amount of material has been dispersed but traditional notices like posters have seldom been used. A large majority of the population does not know what the 'CCG' stands for or does. They would not be helped if they read, say, the Formal Governing Body meeting of April 2016 and its 263 pages.
Read more: INTO THE FUTURE: Re-shaping community based health services
The Clinical Commissioning Group (GPs who 'buy/commission services from the providers eg Torbay Hospital) have been directed by NHS England to close Community Hospitals. In turn, more patients will be looked after in the home, about which there is a good deal of scepticism. The pressure to get those listening members of the public to agree has been overbearing.
There is no doubt, as this document says - 'Close the CHs - cripple the DGH.' Download the Document Here
Download the document attachements:
We know that the NHS is under threat. It’s struggling to provide the services and care that patients need with the limited funding it has available. We’ve heard about it from politicians and the media - but what about people’s real-life experiences? What about the voices from those on the front-line?
Head of Communications and Strategic Engagement SD&T CCG
Dear Mr Chalmers,
My letter to you is No 1, with attachments as listed.
1. Letter to Mr Ray Chalmers Head of Communications and Strategic Engagement SD&T CCG (View as PDF)
2. Stakeholder briefing Aug 16 from SD&T CCG (View as PDF)
3. Letter to Dr Diamond NDDH from 8 retired GPs and 3 retired surgeons. NOT answered (View as PDF)
4. Analysis of causes for 'delayed transfers' at NDDH in response to an FOI from me. Very instructive. (View as PDF)
5. FOI. What consultation has taken place with all staff. 'The CCG has not yet started the formal consultation process on the future of community services. (View as PDF)
6. Letter from me to the Public Affairs Committee. It was taking evidence on 'delayed transfers' for the NAO. There is additional information in that letter. (View as PDF)
I make no apologies for the length of my letter and the attachments. We have been asked to consider complex and very important matters without all the facts.
for truth, justice and reason
David Halpin
Mr Mel Stride MP for Devon Central
Dear Mr Stride,
I ask, as a taxpayer and citizen, the following questions which require answers. There should be no difficulty.
Those murdered on the beach in Tunisia have been brought back 8 at a time.
Yet the capacity of these Leviathans is :-
The litter and ambulatory capacity would suggest that the 28 coffins could have been accommodated easily for one re-patriation flight.
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