Report recommends downgrading of Heatherwood

Published 20 Mar 2013 17:30 1 Comment

A GROUP looking at the future of health services in Bracknell and Ascot is recommending that health bosses remove services from Heatherwood Hospital.

As expected, the Shaping the Future programme says the PCT should move the minor injuries unit to Bracknell; permanently close the maternity-led birthing unit and close the rehabilitation ward.

Berkshire East Primary Care Trust (PCT) board meets to decide whether to approve these recommendations on Tuesday (March 26).

Sunninghill and South Ascot Ward councillor Linda Yong said the contents of the report were "ridiculous".

She added: "Brants Bridge is in serious debt. The building is not being used. The compilers of the report were obviously concerned about the amount of debt they are in."

Shaping the Future has been consulting on proposed changes to three elements of healthcare provided by Heatherwood Hospital, between October last year and January this year, resulting in 508 responses from the public. A petition of about 23,000 signatures was collected by campaigners against the plans.

Under the proposals, the minor injuries unit would move from Heatherwood to the Bracknell Clinic at Brants Bridge, subject to reaching a deal with Royal Berkshire Hospital Trust, which owns the facility and assurance that there will be enough parking.

The new service - called an urgent care centre - would be enhanced from the existing unit, catering for minor ailments as well as minor injuries

The PCT board is also being recommended to approve the closure of Ward 8 at Heatherwood Hospital and be replaced by a range of services in east Berkshire, including providing care in patients' homes instead.

There would also be eight additional stroke rehabilitation beds at Wexham Park Hospital

The other main recommendation is that the Ascot Birth Centre, which has been shut since September 2011 because of a shortage of midwives, should be permanently closed. The unit had no consultants but was run by midwives.

The PCT board meets in public on Tuesday, March 26, at the Holiday Inn, Manor Lane, Maidenhead SL6 2RA, from 10.30am.

Visit www.berkshire.nhs.uk/shapingthefuture for more information about the proposals.

What do you think about the recommendations? Would you be affected by the changes? Does it make sense that there is a minor injuries/illnesses unit in Bracknell rather than Ascot? Please comment below

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• 

  sandyandy
  10 posts
  Mar 21, 01:02
  Report comment

  What planet is Linda on?
  
  Heatherwood always sends us to to Wexham .
  
  Heatherwood and Wexham park are bankrupt
  
  Putting the services at Brants Bridge would make THAT viable, and it is right in the center of the population. It would give a MUCH better service the the "ERrr. Better go to Wexam".
  
  Care in the home has got to be better than catching MRSA.
  
  Recommend?   Yes 2     No 2

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