Barnet says no to NHS stroke and trauma proposals (From This Is Local London)

Barnet says no to NHS stroke and trauma proposals

1:40pm Tuesday 30th June 2009 in

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BARNET residents have voted overwhelmingly against NHS proposals to improve stroke and trauma services.

The recommendations, drafted by Healthcare for London, would mean stroke victims and patients with life-threatening injuries travelling miles outside the borough for treatment.

Anyone who suffered a stroke would be taken to University College Hospital, in central London – one of eight new hyper-acute stroke units proposed for the capital.

Those who experienced severe traumas, such as gunshot wounds, would travel to The Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel, or St Mary's Hospital, in Paddington – two of four planned major trauma centres.

Eighty-nine per cent of borough residents voted against the trauma care proposals, whereas 75 per cent said no to the stroke plans.

The rest of London disagreed: 67 per cent approved the trauma proposals and 74 per cent approved the stroke plans.

Barnet Council leader Mike Freer said: "Barnet has one of the highest levels of stroke in London but these proposals would leave it without a hyper-acute stroke unit.

"We would also be left without real access to a major trauma centre.

"Given we have major north-south rail lines, plus the M1, A1, A41 and the North Circular, heaven help us if we have a major incident.

"There may be clinical reasons for centres of excellence, but I can see little logic in having them all along a ribbon of central London."

St Mary’s Hospital was put forward by the NHS as their preferred acute trauma site instead of The Royal Free Hospital, in Pond Street, Hampstead - the alternative option proposed - because it could focus on west London and was deemed to have better road access.

The three other main acute trauma centres would be located at the Royal London Hospital, in Whitechapel; King's College Hospital, in Denmark Hill; and St George's Hospital, in Tooting.

A spokeswoman for NHS Barnet said: "The results of this consultation have been carefully analysed, in particular responses from Barnet residents.

"We will ensure concerns voiced by local residents are included within the debate."

A spokesperson from Healthcare for London said: “It is important to remember that the major trauma centres and acute stroke centres we are proposing are new.

"Currently only Royal London provides something close to the level of trauma care we are proposing, and no hospitals provide the level and standard of stroke care we propose.

“If someone in Barnet experiences a major trauma or a stroke they will be taken to the centre which is able to provide them with the best possible care.

"Here they will be benefit from a greater level of service and expertise than is currently available in most local hospitals."

The eight hyper-acute stroke units will provide specialist care for the first three days following a stroke, before patients are transferred to their local hospital.

CT scans and other vital tests, which now can have waiting lists of up to 24 hours, should be done within one hour of arrival.

The units have been proposed for Queen's Hospital, Romford; The Princess Royal University Hospital, Orpington; The Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel; Charing Cross Hospital, Hammersmith; Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow; King's College Hospital; St George's Hospital and University College Hospital.

Respondents were given the option of choosing alternatives to each of these sites. Of the 25 per cent of Londoners who rejected this selection, 44 per cent chose the Royal Free over University College and 36 per cent chose Barnet over Northwick Park.

Despite disagreement between Barnet and London-wide residents over the location of the units, a significant majority approved the decision to build a network of acute treatment centres in the capital.

The NHS predicts the specialist units will save 500 lives a year.

David Sissling, Healthcare for London programme director, said: "It is clearly not right that some people in London who have a stroke or experience major injuries die prematurely or become disabled because they don't have access to the best care.

"That is why we have proposed the changes covered by this consultation."

Nearly 11,000 people responded to the 14-week consultation, which ran from January 30 to May 8.

A final decision is expected to be made on July 20.