Issue - meetings

To consider a report on the temporary closure of the Tatton Ward.

The Committee considered a report from Kath Senior, Director of Performance and Quality, East Cheshire NHS Trust outlining proposals for the temporary closure of the Tatton Ward, Knutsford Community Hospital.  The ward had been closed on 6 September which meant the temporary loss of 18 intermediate care beds.  The Hospital Trust also had 28 intermediate care beds at Congleton War Memorial Hospital and 10 at Macclesfield.

Over recent months there had been persistent problems in recruiting middle grade doctors and this had been compounded by a consultant staff vacancy.  Attempts to secure locum staffing had also been unsuccessful.  It was also not sustainable to use staff to cover both Congleton and Knutsford.  It was not thought appropriate to close the beds at Congleton because this would cause a significant level of reduction which would lead to additional pressure on remaining beds in the area.  The 18 beds temporarily closed at Knutsford could be re-provided at Macclesfield where 15 beds on an acute medical ward had been closed to enable essential maintenance work to be carried out; there had not proved any demand to re-open these beds so they could be re-provided as intermediate care beds.

The Tatton Ward would be closed to admissions for 4 months and medical, nursing and clinical support staff redeployed across the two remaining sites.  The arrangements would be reviewed weekly by the senior management team.  The Committee was advised of the communication process about the temporary closure which included staff, patients, carers, the local MP as well as the general public.

During discussion of the item, Members raised the issue about the building not being fit for purpose and concern that if the Tatton Ward was closed it would cause further deterioration to the building’s fabric.  Members also raised transport issues for families visiting relatives; in response, the Committee was advised that the Trust did have a pool of volunteer drivers who could help if required.

The Committee expressed concern about the impact the closure would have on social care provision and the viability of Bexton Court; this was a facility linked to the Tatton Ward and the two provisions existed as one unit.  Members also noted the Task/Finish Group which had been set up to look at future healthcare provision in Knutsford and whether the Group had a role in looking at the impact of this proposal.

RESOLVED:  That

(a) a report be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee on the implications for social care provision at Bexton Court following the temporary closure of the Tatton Ward, Knutsford Community Hospital; and

(b) the Department of Health be advised of the Committee’s concerns regarding the apparent shortage of medical staff in the appropriate grades, with expertise in the care of the elderly, particularly in light of the ageing population.