Dear Dr Diamond, ‘Safe and effective care within the budget’ consultation We, the undersigned GPs, would like to register our grave concerns over patient safety regarding the forthcoming plans of Northern Devon Healthcare NHS Trust (NDHT) to close community beds, either in totality or part of the locality, in an unprecedented move before this coming winter as proposed in your current consultation paper. The current consultation process for “safe and effective care within the budget” has been experienced as a hasty cost improvement process given the far-reaching safety implications [...]
Work is still to be done before decisions are finalised for the future of minor injuries services in Devon. A further national report from Sir Bruce Keogh is expected to provide greater guidance and locally there is a great deal of information to take into account as to whether the service model is urgent care centres as originally proposed by Eastern Locality or a combination of urgent care centres and primary care. Consultation feedback and alternative proposals will be considered alongside the Eastern Locality’s original commissioning intentions relating to minor injury [...]
I made the proposal (see 01.25.14) at this afternoon’s meeting based my view that the CCG’s decision does not meet four required NHS tests: -Clear clinical evidence base -Strong patient and public involvement -Impact on current and prospective patient choice -Support of GP commissioners. My proposal squeaked through narrowly on the chairman’s casting vote, with five votes in favour and five against. There were two abstentions, I believe. I already sit on one other task group investigation into the decision by the CCG to shut beds at Torrington Hospital so this new task group[...]
The town already sports a multi-screen cinema of course, so one might question why one is also required on the seafront – and what impact it might have on the existing facility. It isn’t the first time that plans to develop the seafront have been a source of controversy. The much-loved Elizabeth Hall was subject to a 12,000-name petition when it was proposed for demolition to make way for a Premier Inn. East Devon District Council ploughed on with their plans and now the new hotel is open and functioning. The regeneration plans will also result in the loss of 37 beach huts. Certainly, what[...]
We are looking at whether to refer the decision to the secretary of state for health. If we do this, we must make a very strong case as it is extremely difficult to justify this approach, following the introduction of the health and social care act. Our second meeting (not open to the public) is tomorrow and we are interviewing a number of witnesses. Full health and wellbeing scrutiny takes place on Monday (14 September) and we will be examining the decision to close Ottery, Axminster and Crediton Hospital beds and most minor injuries units in Eastern Devon. The press release appears to have [...]
At cabinet today, it appeared that the opposition groups, including the Indie/non-aligned group, are all of a similar view on how the issue should be approached. You can see the discussion about it at today’s cabinet meeting under “Chairman’s Announcements” from the link below, once again sporting a fetching photo of Cllr Richard Younger-Ross for some reason! ......................................... To all Devon County Councillors………… Because of a number of requests from Media organisations and some members of the Public I issued the following press [...]
Hoping to resolve the problem funded jointly by my locality budget and Ottery St Mary Town Council. The link to the webcast is below, under item 5 - petitions. I do say a few words, but it is quite quiet. Thanks to Alan Connett for taking the pic. http://www.devoncc.public-i.tv/core/portal/webcast_interactive/153191
STRAITGATE Farm has been proposed as a possible site for mining aggregates as part of the Devon Minerals Plan. The proposal comes just months after Ottery Town Council’s Planning Committee opposed plans from Aggregate Industries to turn the site into a quarry and planning chiefs at East Devon District Council had objected to the proposal as well. A consultation period, about this suggestion, has now been set up and will run until November 16th, following this the document will be submitted to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Elizabeth Truss MP, in early 2016, [...]
After a long and patient wait, most of Tipton St John gets superfast broadband! Hugo made a comparison between the “old and new one” (he meant green BT cabinets) Cllr Andrew Leadbetter jokingly suggested he was referring to the most recent election. I replied that I had thought Hugo was talking about the next election. Someone quickly changed the subject. I pounced on Hugo after the photo and asked him about the Government’s ridiculous crippling of the renewable energy industry with its huge job losses - and EDF’s delay in getting its latest nuclear reactor finished. We[...]