2022
West Cornwall Hospital
We became concerned about the reduction in outpatient clinics at WCH – the loss of consultant-led ophthalmic clinics and the reduction of orthopaedic clinics to just one. Later in the year we noted that audiology, ophthalmology and cardiology clinics seemed to have disappeared from WCH.
There was much discussion about the outpatient rebuilding plans.
Uncertainties arose over opening hours at the Urgent Treatment Centre. Several months later the uncertainties had escalated to fears for its future.
We noted plans to locate a paramedic at WCH overnight to enable 24/7 opening, along with an ambulance for necessary transfers to Treliske. This arrangement hasn’t continued to the present, unfortunately.
There was confusion in the community about what they should do and where they should go in for emergency care.
Other hospitals, primary care and social care
We discussed the lack of joined-up communication between GP, hospital and social care. We commented on stay-at-home care, linked to a reduction in hospital beds, ambulances piling up, and nowhere for patients to go; while we learned of the target of 200-250 virtual beds in Cornwall (NHSE allocating £450m over two years for these).
The Prism report found there was a ‘lack of care beds and social care and poor planning at Treliske’. Yet it also stated that Cornwall was ‘over-bedded’. Meanwhile it was noted that GPs were dealing with emergencies when ambulances don’t arrive. And news broke that care packages couldn’t be delivered, due to staff shortages
We had concerns over plans for Polwithen House, with new plans emerging.
And we noted that Cornwall 123/125 in the league tables for cardiology, with a 35% higher death rate than expected
Privatisation
We learned that a consultancy firm was likely to cost £21m to look at the elective recovery plan – although recent evidence suggested that hiring management consultants was not cost-effective.
There was growing evidence of the privatisation of health services – ear wax removal and dentistry being but two.
And contracting out continued, with Duchy Hospital being used for cardiac NHS patients.
Ambulances
We learned about the 100-day challenge to reduce ambulance waits.
The Coroner has wrote about avoidable deaths, linked to ambulance delays.
Organisations
We were increasingly dissatisfied at the way CC’s HASCOSC was being run.
We picked up on discussions about merging CPFT and RCHT.
West Cornwall HealthWatch Two members of WCHW were invited to address Hayle Town Council to brief councillors about current issues and campaigns.
The committee discussed six specific areas for campaigning: earwax removal removed from NHS provision; ambulances; community care; the patient voice; the new Integrated Care System; pandemic after-effects. And that’s just for starters!