Understand
NHS bosses insist service reductions at rural Cambridgeshire hospitals are temporary
Overview
Health chiefs have defended recent service reductions and suspensions at Doddington and North Cambridgeshire hospitals, stating the changes are temporary and implemented for patient safety and due to staffing issues. Representatives from NHS trusts faced questioning at a Cambridgeshire County Council health scrutiny committee amid concerns from councillors regarding healthcare access and regional neglect in Fenland.
Key points
- Endoscopy services were moved from North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech to King's Lynn in Norfolk due to patient safety concerns.
- Doddington Hospital experienced temporary suspensions or withdrawals of breast surgery, dermatology, and ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinics due to staffing issues.
- Health representatives stated that no permanent decisions have been made regarding the endoscopy unit and plan to reintroduce ENT services at Doddington within six months.
- Councillors raised concerns over high levels of deprivation and transport barriers, arguing that relocated services effectively amount to cuts for patients unable to travel.
- Trust representatives denied claims of service cuts and confirmed there are no current plans to temporarily close A&E or maternity wards at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn.