Things have been a little quiet on this recently, but I want to reassure everyone that lots of work is happening in the background to restore level 3 critical care services at FGH, and to make sure they are sustainable for the long-term.
I continue to oppose the ICB’s disastrous plans to permanently stop providing level 3 critical care at FGH. Our local campaign against these changes has ensured that the ICB has had to look again at this, and they are currently working on their “pre-consultation business case” ahead of a decision on whether there needs to be a full-blown public consultation.
You will remember that last year I also formally asked Ministers to use their powers under Schedule 10A of the National Health Service to call-in the proposal and I have been updated recently that this decision will be made “in due course”. I will do everything I can to push for Ministers to step in if needed.
It is important that as well as stopping the immediate threat to services, we also work together to create a positive vision for the future and to ensure that we can attract the clinicians we need for critical care and other important services at the hospital. As part of this I recently convened a working group involving University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, Team Barrow, BAE Systems, national Government departments, NHS England, and the University of Cumbria.
Following that meeting work is now being progressed to explore developing the research and robotics offer at FGH that will make sure we have what is needed to keep attracting the best clinicians in the country. Work is also being taken forward looking at other approaches that have worked elsewhere in the country, such as the partnership between Portsmouth Hospital and MoD to train military doctors. The Health Secretary, Wes Streeting, has confirmed “NHS regional clinical networks are working closely with the University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to determine how services can be safely provided and that national expertise will also contribute as required”.
I have been pleased with the response from all the organisations involved, including the ICB and hospital trust, and I believe that there is a real opportunity here to find solutions that will allow FGH to not only get back on its feet but thrive for many years to come.
The working group will get back together next month to discuss progress, and I will continue to share updates on the work that is happening.