tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41205599259917765882024-03-18T20:48:21.157-07:00The Monstrous Regiment of Lewisham Women This blog documents the highs and lows of Lewisham Hospital and Public Health's maternity committee chaired by Jessica Ormerod, a Lewisham mum, and populated by mums, clinicians, commissioners and managers.Penny Phillipshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09846054300413672370noreply@blogger.comBlogger51125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-69230639760119740282014-07-15T13:36:00.000-07:002014-07-15T13:36:16.941-07:00Let's keep our babies free at the point of delivery!<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8udMAmLo0GfAxsLgj304st8pHV0EGRsh1iCR0_iPdq9vtpXe3wUsEArlGf2skwqh7uCCq8MiZmzcTtIdhYYde_9yFIKjy7c6_Q9mJk9bLXm8YKoPH6hJTRuTczYxic89melhpyk5_wSTz/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8udMAmLo0GfAxsLgj304st8pHV0EGRsh1iCR0_iPdq9vtpXe3wUsEArlGf2skwqh7uCCq8MiZmzcTtIdhYYde_9yFIKjy7c6_Q9mJk9bLXm8YKoPH6hJTRuTczYxic89melhpyk5_wSTz/s1600/images.jpg" /></a>In the USA having a baby is an expensive business. To bring home a new bundle of joy can cost the doting parents $42,000 – roughly the same as a mid-range car but with a lot more noise, nappies and, however much you might be tempted, you can't trade it in for an improved model.<br />
<br />
At the moment in the UK, our bundles of joy are free at the point of delivery. Bed, board and midwife are all inclusive. But, in a fragmented and privatised service such as the American healthcare system women are not at the centre of care, profit and the bottom-line is. Insurance based systems are perfect breeding grounds for unregulated intervention. Women and their partners are sold 'maternity packages' including regular scanning, epidural, even elective caesarian – never mind if these interventions are medically indicated, never mind that research has categorically shown that allowing childbirth to be as normal as possible is best for the mother and baby. And certainly no thought to public health policy which has years of experience and knowledge about serving the health and maternity needs of our population.<br />
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Mothers understand the complexity of maternity care. We believe that every woman should have a named midwife
and that women be supported in their choice of where to give birth.
We want a woman-centred care model that allows midwives to focus on
our needs rather than the gruelling bureaucratic process of
administration. We demand a compassionate midwife to woman ratio on
our postnatal wards and that women are properly cared for in the
community by regular postnatal visits at home. We are fighting for
the right for every woman to have a free, safe and compassionate
maternity service. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-17669973175709776412014-05-24T04:04:00.001-07:002014-05-24T04:04:26.803-07:00High Risk Births at a NICE price<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">OFFERED:
Fabulous boutique room, freshly painted, king size bed, 24-hour
staff, pool. REQUIRED: vaginal delivery of a perfect baby.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Of
course, you'll be lucky to make it through the doors of this little
piece of heaven within the NHS. If you have any hint of a
complication you'll be sent packing to your standard local
obstetric-led maternity suite. Oh, but hold on – there's no room at
the inn: all of the obstetric-led units have been shut!</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Don't
get me wrong, I am all for natural childbirth, women should be
supported to give birth at home or in a midwife-led unit; let's make
sure every baby's first moments are skin-to-skin, suckling at the
breast. But the harsh reality is that the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-27373543" target="_blank">sweet, sweet words from NICE</a> are nothing more than a whispered lullaby to lull women into
thinking that they have a heart and that they've listened to mums and
midwives. With a shortage of nearly 5,000 midwives nationally and a
maternity service in tatters thanks to countless hospitals being
downgraded there is no way that a move to a midwife-led model of
maternity care is a serious proposition.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">So,
let's get serious. Women need an individual service tailored to their
needs. Home birth requires two midwives to be present but is
otherwise cheap as chips and has very good outcomes for mums and
babies (within reason). Birth Centre delivery requires one midwife,
with very little intervention, is slightly more expensive and also
has good, reliable outcomes for mums and babies (within reason).
Acute Obstetric care is on a graded scale of expense with increasing
intervention and has good outcomes for mums and babies (within
reason). Reason, skill and medical training decide where it is most
appropriate for a woman to give birth. In a service where the mother
is at the centre of care, this should be a fairly straightforward
decision – but in a service where profit and a confusing web of
tariffs, <a href="http://www.institute.nhs.uk/world_class_commissioning/pct_portal/cquin.html" target="_blank">CQUINS</a> (and I'm not talking disco here) and penalties take
centre stage, then the woman and her ever-expanding waistline are
left to the mercy of a lottery of the market.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">NICE
can say what they like but the Department of Health are no longer
accountable for our care and with the advent of the CCG they have no
control of a national maternity strategy. When asked <a href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201314/cmselect/cmpubacc/776/776.pdf" target="_blank">in a recent government report</a> the Department of Health was not able to name a
national policy for maternity. It's still Maternity Matters, by the
way, Jeremy.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2012/7/contents/enacted" target="_blank">The Health and Social Care Act</a> untethered the Department of Health from
the NHS. It claimed to hand over power to the Clinical Commissioning
Groups, but in reality they are at best confused and at worst <a href="http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.f1569" target="_blank">rife with corruption</a>. All of this while introducing an open market that is
spiralling out of control. The result for women is that maternity
services are floundering. In that government report it was found that
the Department of Health is no longer responsible even for such basic
and fundamental aspects of care such as how many midwives are
employed by the NHS. So, who is? No one. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">With
Public Health banished to the savaged hinterland of the Local
Authority there is no longer a powerful body integrated into either
the NHS or the CCGs to ensure that local commissioning of maternity
services is in line with Department of Health Policy. Even if they
knew what that is. By breaking up the NHS, the Department of Health
has made it perfectly clear that it is not remotely interested in
having a public health policy at all. They prefer to focus on forcing
hospitals into becoming Foundation Trusts as quickly as possible. </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Jeremy
Hunt and his cronies may not care about boring epidemiological
studies and evidence-based care, but for us mums the fragmentation of
services is a catastrophic blow to choice, continuity of care and
equal access to healthcare. With the <a href="https://www.rcm.org.uk/content/state-of-maternity-services-report" target="_blank">desperate shortfall of 4,800 midwives</a> and almost half (47%) of UK hospitals lacking
enough consultant obstetricians, along with a steady baby boom in
England over the past decade, there is increasing strain on maternity
services. Midwives and obstetricians look after women with much more
complex needs. The Coalition, UKIP and other misguided souls push an
identity parade of people to blame: Immigrants (the Polish get a hard
time despite working legally, paying taxes and so therefore no
different from Mr and Mrs Smith born and bred in Tunbridge Wells);
The Poor (to listen to George Osborne and Iain Duncan Smith one could
be forgiven for thinking that eugenics may well be on the cards for
the next election manifesto); The Needy (we might as well kick the
disabled while they're reeling from ATOS); and finally, The Labour
Party (they gave those pesky women far too much with their tax
credits, Child Benefit, Children's Centres and Maternity Matters).</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Amid
the frenzied dismemberment of the NHS we are hurtling towards an
insurance-based system for our maternity care, which embraces
intervention rather than holistic, aromatherapy and massage amongst
caring midwives handy with a birth stool. We need to ask ourselves,
do we seriously want to live in a society in which only the
super-rich can afford to have babies while the rest of us lucky
enough to have health insurance count the pennies to calculate
whether we can afford for the stork to pay us a call? </span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Never
forget that pre-NHS women died in their droves in cavernous lying-in
wards or for want of an experienced midwife. The idea that all women
are going to have the opportunity to lie-in in a luxurious birth
centre would be a joke if it weren't so utterly terrifying that the
back-up intensive obstetric care is being closed down. We mothers
need to fight and fight hard for our hard-won maternity services. We
need to join together and </span><span style="color: #252525;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">fight
those seeking dismantle the NHS and fight them we shall: we shall
fight them on the labour wards, we shall fight in the midwife-led
units and we shall fight in the birthing pools; we shall never
surrender. We shall go on to the end. </span></span> </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-51652858684226545482014-04-27T13:35:00.001-07:002014-04-27T13:35:49.425-07:00Taking the politics out of the NHS and putting patients before profits<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCv0QzmawdEmqBo-DM-0XoSKWeG3zyhJSsTlVV4_wMF9WZOFhMDTR2X0HwcY392efQ1HOtAmI7RF-phfffMwa974l1Fu0r4ZjdQf1HONidpWbo0aYseY5WEhoqtas_fXIZMq_FbUvl2hm/s1600/eurocandidates.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCv0QzmawdEmqBo-DM-0XoSKWeG3zyhJSsTlVV4_wMF9WZOFhMDTR2X0HwcY392efQ1HOtAmI7RF-phfffMwa974l1Fu0r4ZjdQf1HONidpWbo0aYseY5WEhoqtas_fXIZMq_FbUvl2hm/s1600/eurocandidates.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking the politics out of the NHS and putting patients before profits</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The proud prospective London Euro Election Candidates for the <a href="http://www.nhap.org/" target="_blank">National Health Action Party</a> along with the co-leaders Clive Peedell and Richard Taylor.</span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am standing for the NHA to protect an already frail
maternity service and to ensure that my own three girls are given the
same care I had for their births when they become mothers themselves. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Across the country
maternity units are being down-graded or closed. More women are
facing longer journeys to give birth to their babies in safety. Women
are being denied choice in where to give birth and midwives are being
strained and de-skilled. If we don't act now we are going to lose the NHS forever.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why does this matter for women and maternity?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maternity
is unlike any other health service. The users are not patients, they
do not need treatment: they need care – sometimes complex care –
and they need respect. We need to demand named midwives for all women and a service that genuinely caters for all. </span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I believe the National Health Action Party are the only Party that are calling the government to account over the NHS and exposing the reality of privatisation and cuts to our precious health service. You can find out more about the gorgeous candidates on the <a href="http://nhap.org/candidates-euro-election/" target="_blank">NHAp website</a>. We're not like any other political party - we even have <a href="http://youtu.be/4nOf0ZgBjpc?t=7m58s" target="_blank">the magnificent Rufus Hound</a> standing for us!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-52469817022678931372014-04-13T02:53:00.000-07:002014-04-13T02:53:23.187-07:00Bounty Hunters are on the move<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Hip hip hooray for Sarah Crown and <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/apr/13/sales-reps-nhs-maternity-wards-mothers-mums?utm_content=bufferb0765&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer" target="_blank">Mumsnet</a> for their new campaign to get rid of Bounty reps from our maternity wards. I've been banging on about this issue for years since the birth of my baby when I first encountered the astonishing Bounty Pack.<br /><br />Stuffed full of what I assumed was nonsense, I found my child benefit form, some interesting information about local breast feeding groups and other NHS leaflets about how to keep my baby alive. I could hardly believe that Bounty were entrusted to deliver this vital information to parents and the fact that it came with heavy advertising from Pampers and Sudocrem seemed incongruous at best. Did I have to clad my baby's bum in Pampers and stinky zinc cream to claim my child benefit? Did I have to read all the endless bits of paper to make sure I wasn't missing some instructions on how to avoid cot death?<br /><br />I read everything in my pack with raised eyebrows, increasing hilarity and finally wild-eyed fury. Who knows when Bounty first got its tentacles into our hospitals (they bear a striking resemblance to the Nestle Nurses of days gone by) but they are fresh from 1954. I found a pamphlet full of quotes from - I kid you not - the Daily Mail and The Sun claiming to offer relationship advice. What?! Yes, I too was unaware of their expertise in this area, they actually recommended 'ring fencing' 20 minutes of your day to not talking about your new bundle of joy and - even more repellent - resuming marital relations as soon as possible. Don't mind the stitches, honey, the only thing your man is interested in after a long, hard day in the episode of Mad Men he comes from is a long, hard ... chat about the golf course and a romantic spin about the sheets.<br /><br />So, as it's now 2014 and we're all a little bit wiser about the machinations of advertising execs and want our healthcare delivered by midwives and doctors rather than underpaid Bounty reps let's politely ask them to leave and let new mums get on with recovering from childbirth, learning the mysterious art of breast feeding and having some toast and tea. Get the midwife to hand over the child benefit form. After all, far fewer of us are entitled to it these days.<br /><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-65064124973558270172014-04-05T15:29:00.000-07:002014-04-05T15:29:13.835-07:00Just when you thought it was safe to have a baby....<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Your
new National Health Service starts on the 5th July. What is it? How
do you get it?</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #404040;"><span style="font-size: small;">It
will provide you with all medical, dental, and nursing care. Everyone
– rich or poor, man, woman or child – can use it or any part of
it. There are no charges, except a few special items. There are no
insurance qualifications. But it is not a “charity”. You are all
paying for it, mainly as taxpayers, and it will relieve your money
worries in times of illness (<a href="http://www.imperial.nhs.uk/nhs60/1948launch/index.htm" target="_blank">National Health Service Leaflet 1948</a>).</span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">There's
a revolution in the NHS. No longer shall the NHS be shaped and driven
by the health outcomes of everyone - rich or poor, man, woman or
child. The NHS of the 21</span><span style="color: #333333;"><sup>st</sup></span><span style="color: #333333;">
century is financially driven; it's a market place and there's profit
in numbers. So out with the old and in with the new – and that
means a new approach to services. Specialist care centres, emergency
centres serving wider geographic areas, phlebotomy centres, vasectomy
clinics: more specialist, less general medicine is the way of the
future. This model is possibly financially superior but is hopeless
for the hapless users of the service. Previously, one could nip to
one's local surgery to have a blood test, a veruca removed, or the
coil fitted; now one has to trek across town to be serviced by a
plethora of healthcare professionals in a disparate web of healthcare
outlets. We're told that our care has improved and that we should be
grateful for what we get because healthcare is draining the economy.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now
here's the nub: we all know that healthcare and the NHS has been
re-shaped to operate as a business, and the bottom-line of business
is profit. All NHS facilities – that's hospitals, GPs, sexual
health clinics etc - have to meet the health needs of their clients
while meeting their bottom-line and making a credible profit. At the
same time as the move to a private sector model for our public
services, we have been sold a myth: specialist services, hubs of care
and improved 'customer services' in the NHS improves health outcomes.
This is a fabrication sold to the public by the handsomely paid
management consultants who populate health think-tanks and NHS
England. And these consultants are being increasingly used – and
paid for – by the Department of Health and individual Trusts to
advise on changes to health services. It's no wonder that we have
moved away from health as the focus for care when we no longer use
public health professionals and doctors to improve service provision.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So,
let's get down and dirty and talk mums and babies. Maternity is
unlike any other health service. The users are not patients, they do
not need treatment: they need care – sometimes complex care – and
they need respect. We know that small maternity units, midwife or
obstetric-led give a better and more valued service. So why are so
many of these units being downgraded or closed?</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Margaret
Hodge stated in a recent report: "There is evidence that many
maternity services are running at a loss, or at best breaking even,
and that the available funding may be insufficient for trusts to
employ enough midwives and consultants to provide high quality, safe
care." A worrying statement when childbirth is always the end
result of pregnancy, and the childbirth rate is rising.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">Every
day news stories report cases of women giving birth without a midwife
and hospitals groaning with over-stretched capacity on labour wards.
And yet the government writes and rewrites papers and policy that
demands more “choice” for women in maternity and higher ratios of
midwives to women. Ministers drone on about woman-centred care, about
midwife-led birth centres, case-load midwifery. But the reality is
that the service lacks thousands of midwives, and midwives are
leaving the profession in their droves: </span></span><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/jan/31/midwife-shortage-nhs-maternity-care" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">within 10 years of qualifying a third of midwives leave the profession.</a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #333333;">In
2013 Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, attempted to
downgrade Lewisham Hospital's maternity service to leave a
stand-alone birth centre with no obstetric-led care – despite the
fact that Lewisham sees over 4,000 births per year and houses some of
our country's most deprived women, with all the complex healthcare
and challenges of that population. Only 12% of women in Lewisham
would have been able to use the midwife-led unit. The vast majority
would have been forced to use the already burdened units at
neighbouring hospitals, stretching their capacity to over 7,000
births per annum. Lewisham Hospital battled Hunt in the courts twice
and won both times. Lewisham was a test case for many maternity
centres up and down the country. And Hunt was so outraged that he had
lost in Lewisham that he is using clause 119 of the <a href="http://www.keepournhspublic.com/pdf/clause119-letterSWNI.pdf" target="_blank">Health and Social Care Bill</a> to
push through closures and downgrades to service provision more easily
and without the hassle of having to go to court. And where are the
headlines? Where is the debate? If the Coalition succeed in passing
the bill no hospital or maternity service in the country will be safe
and that means fewer and fewer women will have access to good,
comprehensive local care. </span>
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Childbirth
is intimate, it requires the mother to feel safe in her environment,
confident about the support from her midwives. Women ask for a more
personal service. No one wants to be herded into cavernous hospital
wards with anonymous carers and a conveyor belt service to give birth
in fear or by the surgeon's knife.</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-11153654329403363102014-01-12T08:57:00.002-08:002014-01-12T08:57:56.746-08:0021 Days Later<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-NMP22wi3UUnd4pPspNaoWxoSE1FbefUD2tcO2pVCS7FgIl0FxsiwFLAeZUH87n8aPNbJrZzXzO7JWBGnzUsRTc0IK5vFOQ5Vt6KLhyKNuxHn6-1zSoGEXlg9UTOezTHhhpNWmIyGt0_/s1600/IMG_6097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn-NMP22wi3UUnd4pPspNaoWxoSE1FbefUD2tcO2pVCS7FgIl0FxsiwFLAeZUH87n8aPNbJrZzXzO7JWBGnzUsRTc0IK5vFOQ5Vt6KLhyKNuxHn6-1zSoGEXlg9UTOezTHhhpNWmIyGt0_/s1600/IMG_6097.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
When I discovered I was
expecting our third baby I started to think about how and where the
wee tot would be delivered. I had my first daughter at Lewisham
Hospital which had been such a traumatising experience that I vowed
never to set foot in their labour ward again. Our second daughter
shot out in St. Thomas' 'home from home' after a hair raising drive
through SE London during which the labour moved swiftly from first to
second stage. After that I thought it might be safer to have this one
at home.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
My only concern was
that there wouldn't be enough midwives available to support the home
birth; I was supremely confident that as this would be my third
labour it would be quick and she would be born at home in the bosom
of our family. I knew my dates exactly so when her due date arrived I
was secretly disappointed that she hadn't (my second daughter was
born, very conveniently, on her due date). The days passed slowly,
one week went by and I was faced with that dreaded 41 week
appointment.
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AlLlBMXLEJVXnaiTi7kCU53bylh1FElYSpcHHRe7ADX9JuvH9ke6dj_xQa2eFXXyzsSRVvBPN1R40X4JjAN63CstLRrJp_89AFsBVgak0V8_iqO1BP_FZqWuGQtuMG5fbVHmCWn0IXez/s1600/IMG_6114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1AlLlBMXLEJVXnaiTi7kCU53bylh1FElYSpcHHRe7ADX9JuvH9ke6dj_xQa2eFXXyzsSRVvBPN1R40X4JjAN63CstLRrJp_89AFsBVgak0V8_iqO1BP_FZqWuGQtuMG5fbVHmCWn0IXez/s1600/IMG_6114.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I decided not to
go...after all, the baby would probably turn up in the next couple of
days...with a little struggle the midwives agreed to an appointment
at 41+3, the days went by and the nights and despite being desperate
to go into labour I had a sickening feeling that it wasn't going to
happen. Finally at 43 weeks I gave in and went to Lewisham Hospital's
Day Assessment Unit. I had a scan which showed a monster baby lurking
inside. So, at 21 days late I found myself in the same room in which
I had given birth 5.5 years before, I had the CTG (belt monitor)
strapped to my tummy and had my waters broken: everything I had
desperately wanted to avoid.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXHB0lSvMnyLN2EsQMSObBz4yZDvLDCMuRXMRKGjW3P1JMlNygl7TmiOmiNLkTHMLLE1ZlwUYikt5njbPL7NM-g3Id-YJIiUQdeoYRNAiPTfyLVbf8yUK0JdIyLMnxgfl1RyN0Tsj5_Rz/s1600/IMG_6125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJXHB0lSvMnyLN2EsQMSObBz4yZDvLDCMuRXMRKGjW3P1JMlNygl7TmiOmiNLkTHMLLE1ZlwUYikt5njbPL7NM-g3Id-YJIiUQdeoYRNAiPTfyLVbf8yUK0JdIyLMnxgfl1RyN0Tsj5_Rz/s1600/IMG_6125.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But this time was
different; this time my midwife supported me wholeheartedly, she got
mats for me to use, a birth ball and encouraged me through the
contractions without staring constantly at the CTG. I was in control
and as a result had the birth I had wanted all along: three hours
from start to finish, totally natural and a lovely, beautiful, rather
large baby at the end of it. It just wasn't where I had wanted it to
be!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Thank you to the
community midwives at Lewisham hospital particularly Shirley
Peterson, the former Head of Community Midwifery, and thanks to Bola, Nicola and
James who supported me during the labour. You made everything
wonderful!</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-79272926563029267292013-07-25T12:25:00.000-07:002013-07-25T12:25:25.483-07:00A Royal Delivery<dd style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19.1875px; margin-bottom: 0.1em; margin-left: 1.6em; margin-right: 0px;">
<dl><dd class="western" style="margin-left: 0cm;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black;"><br /></span></span></span>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Lavender's blue, dilly dilly, lavender's green,</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
When I am king, dilly, dilly, you shall be queen.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
A man drives away from a central London hospital in a black car. His wife and new-born son sit in the back. They're on their way to a new life, the first few days as a new family. Doctors, nurses, midwives, journalists and families wave them on their way. A new life! A new mother! What could be more wonderful? A precious new family delivered safely.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
It is breath-taking to consider how much has changed for women in the two centuries since Queen Victoria’s perilous, chloroform-hazed delivery. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Princess Kate had a natural hypnobirth in a dedicated hospital surrounded by a plethora of healthcare professionals. But the NHS too, provides a choice about how and where to give birth. Mothers are no longer at the mercy of our class and financial means. Hospitals provide home-from-home rooms or midwife-led birth centres alongside acute obstetric care. We have access to birth pools, stools, aromatherapy, massage, candles, soft lighting, music, properly trained midwives, nurses, obstetricians, paediatricians and neonatologists. If things go awry we have ventouse, forceps, epidural and caesarean section. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Women can expect to hold their new born baby in their arms at home or in hospital with nothing more challenging than "what shall we call our little Prince...?" and "how does this nappy work...?" on our minds. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
It is no longer common place to die in childbirth or in the weeks after due to infection and blood loss. Thousands of us no longer perish in dirty hospitals or in fear that a doctor won't arrive in time or that the local midwife has no proper training. Our children do not have the tragic memory of a narrator in <a href="http://www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/oliver-huitson-ken-loach/left-needs-to-start-again-interview-with-ken-loach" target="_blank">Spirit of 45</a>, who was told after the birth of his new brother in the 30s that “your mam died but for the want of a pint of blood”.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
But a new era is dawning. Across the country, maternity services are being downgraded and cut. NHS England doesn't like to admit it. Their propaganda is full of vacuous words about 'providing a safe service for women' and offering 'real choice'. But under their plans, choice and safety will be reduced, and more women will have to travel further to larger hospitals in order to give birth.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Lewisham Hospital is just one of many scheduled for <a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/half-of-londons-maternity-units-are-facing-closure-8713763.html" style="color: #0061bf; text-decoration: none;">downgrade </a>by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh's trigger happy bombardment of our maternity services. This small district general hospital in South London supports over 4,500 deliveries a year. Lewisham offers a range of services to women: home birth, a prestigious birth centre and a highly successful acute obstetric labour ward. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Should the downgrade take place, women will be 'dispersed' across several neighbouring hospitals. This will mean that thousands of women will face a travel time of over an hour in busy London traffic. Can you imagine <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9lVgTJ22A7k#at=52" style="color: #0061bf; text-decoration: none;">getting a bus</a> - sometimes two or even three - while in the throes of labour? Most residents of Lewisham don't own a car and taxis will not transport women in labour. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
St Thomas', King's and Queen Elizabeth hospitals will have to double their obstetric provision in order to meet demand. They're already running over full capacity. For women this will mean a conveyor belt care package, no continuity of care and potentially lethal transfer times in the back of ambulances.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
NHS England, backed by the Secretary of State for Health, has spent an enormous amount of money to justify their claim that the priority for hospital care is 24 hour consultant cover, more centralisation and fewer hospitals. That strokes and heart-attacks can be better served by fewer, more specialist hospitals. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
But even if that is the case for those conditions, maternity isn't a disease. It isn't something that should be 'treated'. It requires a wholly different approach to other health specialities.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Private consultants like Mckinseys and Deloitte enrich themselves with their public sector work, including running <a href="http://lewishammslc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/the-fairytale-of-lewisham.html" style="color: #0061bf; text-decoration: none;">sham consultations</a>. But - as I found myself - they don't seem to find the time to actually ask women what they want or what they need. They can barely be bothered to listen to health professionals, academics or public health officials about what careful practise and research shows to be fact.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Women want and deserve to be cared for as individuals, with access to the service they personally require. Women want a named midwife. They want a safe, quiet, small environment in which to give birth. Not an over-sized, over-stretched anonymous hospital with a hive of faceless midwives and doctors.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
The days in which all women could expect the same level of safety, care and choice as the richest and most celebrated women in the land will soon be over. In some parts of the country they are <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/10122702/Maternity-wards-closure-crisis.html" style="color: #0061bf; text-decoration: none;">already long gone</a>. </div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
And this is wrong. It's wrong for women, it's wrong for babies, it's wrong for public health and it will inevitably turn the clock back on the huge progress we have made over the last couple of centuries.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Lavender's green, dilly, dilly, Lavender's blue,</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
If you love me, dilly, dilly, I will love you.</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
Let the birds sing, dilly, dilly, And the lambs play;</div>
<div style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, 'Liberation Sans', FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 20px;">
We shall be safe, dilly, dilly, out of harm's way.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</dd></dl>
</dd>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-62207435645708225982013-07-02T15:01:00.000-07:002013-07-02T15:01:50.622-07:00The Regime for Unsustainable Providers could be coming to a hospital near you!
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I ask you, can one
small district general hospital save the NHS?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The Save Lewisham
Hospital campaign are hoping so and this week is going to be a
crucial one for us south east Londoners. That's right folks, <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2013/jul/02/jeremy-hunt-lewisham-hospital-unlawful" target="_blank">we've taken our fight to the High Court</a>.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
A year ago South London
Healthcare Trust was put into administration by Jeremy Hunt. A Trust
Special Administrator was put in post and tasked with a seemingly
impossible job: sort out the ailing finances of a Trust burdened with
a monstrous PFI contract.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
It's a fact universally
acknowledged for those in south London that SLHT has been doomed for
years, there have been several unsuccessful plans to rescue it, so no
one was particularly surprised when the government put it into
administration. The shock came a few months later, in October, when
Trust Special Administrator, Matthew Kershaw, announced that the
debts of SLHT were too gigantic and complex to be solved within the
bounds of the Trust alone and that he would look at
neighbouring Trusts to help shoulder the burden. Suddenly the
coffers of Lewisham Hospital looked quite appealing. </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Matthew Kershaw
clearly thought it wasn't impossible to appropriate some of
Lewisham's capital and real estate in his attempt to balance the
books. Never mind that the piece of legislation he was using at the
time (<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statutory-guidance-for-trust-special-administrators-appointed-to-nhs-trusts" target="_blank">The Regime for Unsustainable Providers</a>)
specifically states that it cannot be used outside the Trust or for service reorganisation.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I shan't go on about
the highs and lows of the campaign first to challenge the bizarre
misuse of The Regime for Unsustainable Providers and then to exhort Jeremy Hunt MP to recognise the
illegality of Kershaw harvesting the vital organs of Lewisham
Hospital’s actute services and obstetric-led maternity care.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
As you know from our
previous forays into the wonderful world of publicity, we like a bit
of style in Lewisham. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMSpq4Y7XAI" target="_blank">Boris Johnson</a> won't forget his red carpet treatment in February and I am sure I saw the curtains twitch at the Department of Health
when Lewisham's Buggy Army descended en masse for a true <a href="http://newint.org/blog/2013/02/21/lewisham-hospital-destruction-nhs/" target="_blank">Valentine's celebration</a>.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
So, can you blame us
for attempting to make history once again?</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
This time we've brought in the big guns. <a href="http://www.tooks.co.uk/people/michael_mansfield/" target="_blank">Michael Mansfield QC</a> and his special force of
barristers from Tooks Chambers joined us for a trail-blazing run at
the iniquities of this government's onslaught on the NHS. <a href="http://www.allysonpollock.com/" target="_blank">Allyson Pollock</a>,
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/colin-leys" target="_blank">Colin Leys</a> and <a href="http://www.lorddavidowen.co.uk/tag/nhs/" target="_blank">Lord Owen</a> all spoke in defence of our precious local
hospital and to paint the greater picture of the need to save the NHS
from marketisation and privatisation.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Over the course of one
day we heard from 25 witnesses giving evidence in a <a href="http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/lewisham-peoples-commission-of-inquiry-2/" target="_blank">People's Commission</a> chaired by Michael Mansfield and supported by <a href="http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/baroness-warnock/1733" target="_blank">Baroness Warnock</a>
and <a href="http://www.blakemorrison.com/" target="_blank">Blake Morrison</a> as fellow judges. The evidence was given by doctors, nurses,
patients, carers, the CEO of Lewisham Hospital and yours truly in my
role as Chair of Lewisham Maternity Service Liaison Committee.
In one voice we argued the case against the Trust Special Administrator and against the
destruction of the NHS. It was an amazing example of People Power. I am proud to have been part of it.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Today two judicial reviews started their hearings at the High Court. By Friday we'll know the fate of our hospital.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
If Lewisham Hospital is downgraded no hospital in the United Kingdom will be safe so be on your guard; watch out! The Regime
for Unsustainable Providers could be coming to a hospital near you so
support our campaign at the High Court before it's too late.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
I'll leave you with the words of Aneurin Bevan's leaflet to launch the NHS 65 years ago</div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Your new National Health Service starts on the 5th July. What is it? How do you get it?<br />It will provide you with all medical, dental, and nursing care. Everyone – rich or poor, man, woman or child – can use it or any part of it. There are no charges, except a few special items. There are no insurance qualifications. But it is not a “charity”. You are all paying for it, mainly as taxpayers, and it will relieve your money worries in times of illness. (<a href="http://www.imperial.nhs.uk/nhs60/1948launch/index.htm" target="_blank">National Health Service Leaflet 1948</a>)</blockquote>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-81722802745213203552013-04-17T15:16:00.002-07:002013-04-17T15:17:46.507-07:00The Blitz spirit lives on with the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9lVgTJ22A7k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Don't keep Calm Get Angry and Save Lewisham Hospital</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-90298564960815835362013-03-24T07:17:00.000-07:002013-03-25T16:06:09.088-07:00Ten little fingers born in the NHS<br />
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Ten
little fingers, ten little toes,</span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">Two little ears and one little
nose<br />Two little eyes that shine so bright<br />And one little mouth
to kiss mother goodnight.</span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Children’s
nursery rhyme.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">A
chilly but sunny afternoon at the beginning of March. Four happy
children play in a back garden, shouting and laughing. It's tea time
so the children come inside for a spot of toast and cake. One little
girl leans on a door frame to take off her shoes. At the same time
the door is slammed shut on to the middle finger of her right hand. </span></span></span></span></em>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFM1MeWGWefcrIBJgbqDXJHv9X3xylRg4J2kRe_HytGUAC_GRLlu6zWJ6CBd7Qrax4S5Fb7mgetPcc4WUF7xE2yRuECtk9PlJpt17iTAnh5WYruuX6P5-GVNtlleBYFb7nerYlNPTXhDw/s1600/jessicaberthosp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJFM1MeWGWefcrIBJgbqDXJHv9X3xylRg4J2kRe_HytGUAC_GRLlu6zWJ6CBd7Qrax4S5Fb7mgetPcc4WUF7xE2yRuECtk9PlJpt17iTAnh5WYruuX6P5-GVNtlleBYFb7nerYlNPTXhDw/s320/jessicaberthosp.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">She
shrieks, I run, open the door and see that the top joint of my
beautiful perfect five year old girl has been amputated. Before I
know what I am doing I shout to my friend to get us to A&E and
hold the top joint onto the finger. My little girl screams and
screams, we rush into a neighbour's car and within 10 minutes we are
at Lewisham Hopsital's Children’s Emergency Department.</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"></span></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">That
was three weeks ago and those 10 minutes felt like an eternity.
Beatrice fainted five times in the car and I was powerless to stop
the horrible pain I knew she was in. I wanted to cry and scream
myself but I knew I had to be strong. The soaring relief to arrive at
the hospital was immense. We were seen immediately, Beatrice was
given pain relief at which point she fell into a deep sleep and I was
given reassurance by the fabulous nurses and doctors. We were
transferred to St. Thomas' Hospital that evening, Beatrice had
surgery the next morning and we were home again within 24 hours of
the terrible injury taking place. Thank you Lewisham Hospital. If you
hadn't been there it would have been an hour or more before Beatrice
had pain relief and the care she needed to prevent her losing her
finger. Long may you stay <a href="http://www.lewisham.nhs.uk/building_your_trust-1.aspx" target="_blank">open for business</a>.</span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV24A4uOiPIramKdtluM_W9rDFi261orBivZnsqoQWbuZSs45JO-b5OYwR_qIDzcTdH21A85Cvt4G6RaCzavIZgY4rZgxJzgvINIBWWVU6ZBU7g3OxBBXsTnXUmEngB1L_uY7AEDGbM7Wd/s1600/orangecoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV24A4uOiPIramKdtluM_W9rDFi261orBivZnsqoQWbuZSs45JO-b5OYwR_qIDzcTdH21A85Cvt4G6RaCzavIZgY4rZgxJzgvINIBWWVU6ZBU7g3OxBBXsTnXUmEngB1L_uY7AEDGbM7Wd/s200/orangecoat.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
<em></em></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><em><span style="color: #2e2f2d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Toby
Tall, Toby Tall,</span></span></span></em></em></div>
<em></em><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><em><span style="color: #2e2f2d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Where
are you?</span></span></span></em></em></div>
<em>
</em><em></em>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><em><span style="color: #2e2f2d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Here
I am, here I am,</span></span></span></em></em></div>
<em>
</em><em></em>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><em><span style="color: #2e2f2d;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">How
do you do?</span></span></span></em></em></div>
<em>
</em><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: left;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Children’s
nursery rhyme.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><a href="http://lewishammslc.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/who-says-al-capone-is-dead_22.html" target="_blank">I've said it before and I'll say it again</a>, Lewisham Hospital is a
successful, solvent healthcare provider. It's the kind of hospital
that David Cameron promised to champion during the election campaign
when he grandly pontificated: </span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">'The
NHS is safe in my hands'</span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNYJDKPGp-h9AiBg1hYXQAVdX4QEhj2mURE6aONl2343aRy6pJmXSagIYKgYpr5sv77QTy7WheP8fAziofZQWwNQHF7zuQ8ZqDT39_uDFc6nlQ0qeQuG30p2whFKotmHpCtxWODjXG6en/s1600/jessicabertbed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgNYJDKPGp-h9AiBg1hYXQAVdX4QEhj2mURE6aONl2343aRy6pJmXSagIYKgYpr5sv77QTy7WheP8fAziofZQWwNQHF7zuQ8ZqDT39_uDFc6nlQ0qeQuG30p2whFKotmHpCtxWODjXG6en/s200/jessicabertbed.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">And
yet, this fantastic hospital, full of caring doctors, nurses and
sensible managers is scheduled for down-grade to bail out South
London Healthcare Trust in a neighbouring London borough. As wrong as
it is that the people of Woolwich are being penalised for the
mismanagement and bumbling decision making of politicians it really
shouldn't be Lewisham Hospital's responsibility to shoulder their
burden.</span></span></span></span></em><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRz0wOG7ZF6QtJRLAQ93QZMXBK-QApLFGT1o62ulTVEV7qyQFNHeUqYjl95bT56ZrsNBmb1uyt6LzN3utk8evPhHimXSoRwlIX4PJgb8rHUPLRTbOhrekRf-rH5O1rIVEOqzjxpR64NeXx/s1600/beatricesleeps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRz0wOG7ZF6QtJRLAQ93QZMXBK-QApLFGT1o62ulTVEV7qyQFNHeUqYjl95bT56ZrsNBmb1uyt6LzN3utk8evPhHimXSoRwlIX4PJgb8rHUPLRTbOhrekRf-rH5O1rIVEOqzjxpR64NeXx/s320/beatricesleeps.jpg" width="320" /></a><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Jeremy
Hunt and the cabal at the Department of Health tell us that their
hands are tied, there's nothing they can do, they must balance the
books! Don't we know there's a massive deficit? Don't we understand
that the NHS is simply too expensive? All of this while they wring
their hands in horror that hundreds of people died at
Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust because financial
considerations were put before patient care. All of this while they
promote David Nicholson who presided over Mid-Staffordshire while
dead bodies were being stacked up in the morgues. And all of this
while Jeremy Hunt clumsily claims to understand the clinical case for
downgrading our public services. It certainly doesn't help build
confidence that the Health Minister persists in clinging to the false
statistic that the massive service reconfiguration in South-east
London will save 100 lives. He's said it in parliament at least twice
so one would assume he must be sure of his facts, especially when the
entire cohort of Labour MPs from Lewisham called his assertion into
question.</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Even
Professor Sir Bruce Keogh, NHS medical director, has tried to stop
Jeremy embarrassing himself when he wrote a <a href="http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/open-letter-to-sir-bruce-keogh-from-trust-consultants/" target="_blank">public letter</a> </span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;"> to distance himself from the wayward minister's gaffe</span></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">.
But, oh no, Jeremy bumbles on. He's even passed the misinformation to
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, who ineptly trotted it out at a
People's Question Time held in the London borough of Lewisham. I
wonder whether he'll listen to Jeremy again after the roasting he got
from the Save Lewisham Hospital campaign?</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxmUlUbf5VM" target="_blank">Boris Johnson gets a taste for the outrage in Lewisham</a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Not
only will the disastrous plans cobbled together by Trust Special
Administrator Matthew Kershaw and his pals at McKinsey's and accepted
by Jeremy Hunt definitely not save 100 lives, they will expose an
entire borough of London to unacceptable risk. The plans fly in the
face of patient care, health equality and take us back by a
generation in maternity provision. I think it would be fair to say
that David Cameron's pledge to keep the NHS safe is one made in pure
fantasy.</span></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
finger, one thumb</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">keep
moving.</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">One
finger, one thumb</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">keep
moving.</span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></em><em><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We
all stay merry and bright.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div align="CENTER" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Children’s
nursery rhyme.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;">Meanwhile
Beatrice's finger continues to heal and I've been daydreaming about
what I'd like to do with with my middle finger but I have to concede
that this might not be the best way to negotiate with the Right Hon.
Jeremy Hunt MP. Tempting though it is.</span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV7RE2Z2i4_Ke_kuTf4nDl5WqpIDoyEF_Rqm6_dlmJyH8w53bk_VL7axiU1J7wzIgGkMkMFuUlNju-F6O5CA3NAsIlCl3eidKmqYB2PO08TDQuqZaDgS7WI_e8ohArPeon_qXyVS21XiI/s1600/pinkcoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXV7RE2Z2i4_Ke_kuTf4nDl5WqpIDoyEF_Rqm6_dlmJyH8w53bk_VL7axiU1J7wzIgGkMkMFuUlNju-F6O5CA3NAsIlCl3eidKmqYB2PO08TDQuqZaDgS7WI_e8ohArPeon_qXyVS21XiI/s320/pinkcoat.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<em><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-style: normal;"><br /></span></span></span></em></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-64656885642393115332013-03-22T07:25:00.001-07:002013-03-22T14:05:20.986-07:00 An update from Lewisham's maternity services committeeAn upside to the otherwise irredeemably awful news that Jeremy
Hunt, Health Secretary, has taken the axe to obstetric-led
maternity services at Lewisham Hospital is that we have a really
vibrant and enthusiastic committee at the moment. Five new mums
have joined us and we have a record number of volunteers for our
outreach programme called Walk the Patch.<br />
<br />
This is one of the most important things we do as mums on the
committee. Every month a volunteer visits the antenatal and
postnatal wards to gather feedback from women who are currently
using the service. This gives us a chance to understand the issues
that women experience which in turn informs our agenda. It also
allows us to meet and get to know the midwives so that we have a
really strong working relationship at all levels in the hospital.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3-72qZaiEJVNlx945EeOo4LBtr8iNo-IeYU9hW8OjaFo_Hn4nDpaw5aNa79U-tjk4h3rmfDRL6XFubkaMvXOv__wpkui-93LBNzeqTfe_u2bUoNA49zBbr_S_P45ffHCHet8r-HqGH-3/s1600/lewishambusinessasusual.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3-72qZaiEJVNlx945EeOo4LBtr8iNo-IeYU9hW8OjaFo_Hn4nDpaw5aNa79U-tjk4h3rmfDRL6XFubkaMvXOv__wpkui-93LBNzeqTfe_u2bUoNA49zBbr_S_P45ffHCHet8r-HqGH-3/s320/lewishambusinessasusual.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At our last meeting the staff from the hospital updated us on the refurbishment of the
Labour ward which is taking place at the moment and is scheduled
for completion by the end of May. The new Labour ward will
replicate the very popular birth centre where possible so that
women will be given the same attractive and high-quality
environment in which to give birth. There will now be two rooms for low-risk
women to use who aren't able to use the birth centre due to
medical considerations that mean that they do not fit the criteria
to use the midwife-led unit but are not considered too
'high-risk'. The mums of the MSLC have a date to visit the Labour
ward to give advice about how to make the rooms attractive and
comfortable.<br />
<br />
This work is a commitment from the hospital to the women and families of Lewisham that the hospital is open for business as usual. The hospital has launched the Open for Business campaign to reassure the people of Lewisham that the hospital's services will continue to improve and serve maternity users and patients for the next three years and beyond.<br />
<br />
Claire Champion, Director of Nursing, speaks about the upgrading of maternity services at Lewisham Hospital <a href="http://www.lewisham.nhs.uk/building_your_trust.aspx" target="_blank">Lewisham Hospital Builds Trust</a><br />
<br />
The MSLC has a diverse membership including a representative
from the Lewisham refugee and migrant network. Many of the women
in this group are living on roughly £30 a week to support them and
their children which clearly means that some of the basics we take
for granted are a serious struggle to buy. So, if you have any
leftover nappies that your baby has grown out of or a cot that you
don't want any more....anything at all really as long as it's in
good condition and clean, please can you donate it to this
marvellous centre who will pass it on to one of their families.
The address is 144 Evelyn Street, Deptford, SE8 5DD. 020 8694
0323. The contact name is Margot Lawrence. If you are interested
in finding out more about the group you can visit their website <a href="http://lrmn.org.uk/" target="_blank">Lewisham Refugee and Migrant Network</a> or you can find them on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/LRMNetwork/info" target="_blank">facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
To keep up with news and information please join Lewisham MSLC on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lewisham-MSLC/120182561474636?ref=hl" target="_blank">facebook</a>.<br />
<br />
If you are interested in joining the MSLC please contact <a href="mailto:jessica@ormews.com" target="_blank">Jessica Ormerod</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-90823546063735797932013-02-22T07:06:00.002-08:002013-02-22T07:28:43.738-08:00Who says Al Capone is dead?<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lewisham's answer to the St. Valentine's day massacre</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Iltl2_C5vI-iHoX1z6B-BHhVDTte6ijduxB0VnLEL1RlYnbUJDHumr4vTxnHshNEDmXN9PyPHaya9XpSczBDUnuEY6p52MinVocIuDsOgcDapvSwHZnJMFXzeNm6Ydo5Iyu-dcDqQnJp/s1600/IMG_3161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Iltl2_C5vI-iHoX1z6B-BHhVDTte6ijduxB0VnLEL1RlYnbUJDHumr4vTxnHshNEDmXN9PyPHaya9XpSczBDUnuEY6p52MinVocIuDsOgcDapvSwHZnJMFXzeNm6Ydo5Iyu-dcDqQnJp/s400/IMG_3161.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ander McIntyre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
What better way to
enjoy Valentine's Day than a spot of direct action at the Department
of Health? In Lewisham we don't celebrate in secret we go out in
style! </div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Red heart-shaped balloons, home-made bunting to festoon the
streets of Westminster, posters galore inscribed with a message from
the mothers, babies, children and people of Lewisham – 'Don't rip
the heart out of our hospital, Mr Hunt' and hand-delivered baby sock
rosebuds for Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Health, each with
their own story of a baby born and saved by Lewisham Hospital. In
Lewisham we don't go for subtle. We go for the jugular.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Last Thursday 14 February more than
130 babies, mums, dads, grannies and citizens of the London borough
of Lewisham descended unannounced to pay a special Valentine's call
on the Right Honorable Jeremy Hunt MP at his office. Sadly he did not
join us to receive in person our heartfelt offerings but that didn't
detract from a morning of peaceful but exuberant protest.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Our message was shouted
load and proud: the fight to <a href="http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/" target="_blank">save Lewisham Hospital </a>did not end with Jeremy Hunt's announcement on the 31st of January
that acute services at Lewisham Hospital would be cut.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
How can this small part
of London have any relevance to the rest of the country and world? I
hear you cry.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV6bwkAsRzNNZ43AMqNzKROyD0hbIjJBMKSmotdJDU_T4pR_JNujHs_Ab7PiQXcIh63932AVXFgi04wyXCf37OHYM35EXWWQgwgw4CDckPcTl2DwOSWi1EgDzOFOqOA38Fx55gUSnZs68/s1600/IMG_3093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIV6bwkAsRzNNZ43AMqNzKROyD0hbIjJBMKSmotdJDU_T4pR_JNujHs_Ab7PiQXcIh63932AVXFgi04wyXCf37OHYM35EXWWQgwgw4CDckPcTl2DwOSWi1EgDzOFOqOA38Fx55gUSnZs68/s400/IMG_3093.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ander McIntyre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The reason is this:
Lewisham Hospital is a solvent and clinically well-respected
healthcare provider. The fact that its fate hangs in the balance is
purely financial because its vital services are being sacrificed to
bail out the disastrous PFI contract that has drained to ruin
neighbouring South London Healthcare Trust. So, according to Jeremy
Hunt, it's now perfectly acceptable to remove obstetric-led maternity
and emergency care from a population of nearly 280,000 just to balance his books.
Nevermind the safety of thousands who use their hospital every day or
the fact that neighbouring hospitals are full to bursting. No, the
priority in healthcare these days is profitability.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The other reason is the
small incidental detail that it seems the coalition government has an
agenda to dismantle the welfare state. I grew up in the shadow of
Thatcher so sweeping changes to benefits, education and health were a
feature of my childhood and I recognise an unmandated eradication of
public services when I see one.
<br />
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0DndeTAwRMqrppKsBRNEpSXg0bX-yzP2rHwgZMiybR1-x_DQEwW4myQEOICMrTwxFqdbjLn0g1T6Kt90ivg9oI2p6iFGajKXA9gG3gsfUPQ8Uyaf7xHVQT5vGzoQCUAbjGCmdCa65SPx/s1600/IMG_3089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn0DndeTAwRMqrppKsBRNEpSXg0bX-yzP2rHwgZMiybR1-x_DQEwW4myQEOICMrTwxFqdbjLn0g1T6Kt90ivg9oI2p6iFGajKXA9gG3gsfUPQ8Uyaf7xHVQT5vGzoQCUAbjGCmdCa65SPx/s320/IMG_3089.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ander McIntyre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
Lewisham Hospital is a
test case for every hospital across the country. And the wholesale
destruction of the NHS will have ramifications beyond our green and
pleasant shores. Isn't the NHS held up as a shining light in
international healthcare? If we lose healthcare that is free at the
point of delivery what are we replacing it with and gone will be the
days of a pioneering health model to be replicated across the globe.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcPoKaqnH7DhQXQVaM8FPhyphenhyphenEpaxejoMIeOQYYNNGL7WvJ0DDJ9benDfZaElEfrz3h93w7bSH2RGaYGywhimDpGObbjCDvnxcfjxqTx6GWTwgI8qdLc7SdRxFQ33lVZVKZ8Ai2TR7WvnYt/s1600/IMG_3045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxcPoKaqnH7DhQXQVaM8FPhyphenhyphenEpaxejoMIeOQYYNNGL7WvJ0DDJ9benDfZaElEfrz3h93w7bSH2RGaYGywhimDpGObbjCDvnxcfjxqTx6GWTwgI8qdLc7SdRxFQ33lVZVKZ8Ai2TR7WvnYt/s320/IMG_3045.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ander McIntyre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
But the likes of Jeremy
Hunt and the cabal in the Department of Health don't scare the
residents of Lewisham. We're a plucky bunch and we're showing David
Cameron what a Big Society can do when people join together and form
a real community.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
We're not going down without a big, public and
embarrasing fight. The boys at Number 10 may think they can dismiss
down-at-heel Lewisham with its massive population of refugees, asylum
seekers, travellers, migrants and vulnerable families but they have
underestimated the little people.</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_49HjXeGglEkI9lDhyphenhyphen_2IkmPieXBOXGwUYeU4JDAYmOk_1Z3HEb96hxFZh3TdA0ejV92zhNyUsf4oSqe_Gg0N8kuO-HgVFmIFzSTP7d43VrjOEqy1W8L3mnvGII203YWf9PN2vd2drSST/s1600/IMG_3076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_49HjXeGglEkI9lDhyphenhyphen_2IkmPieXBOXGwUYeU4JDAYmOk_1Z3HEb96hxFZh3TdA0ejV92zhNyUsf4oSqe_Gg0N8kuO-HgVFmIFzSTP7d43VrjOEqy1W8L3mnvGII203YWf9PN2vd2drSST/s200/IMG_3076.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ander McIntyre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The patronising arrogance of our
well-oiled leaders will be their un-doing. We have strength and
experience on our side. When many of our number have defied miliatry
juntas, grown up behind the iron curtain of Communism and marched
thousands of miles across deserts, steppes, plaines and the English
Channel taking on a bunch of public school boys with their hands deep
in McKinsey's pockets doesn't seem too much of a struggle. And, as
most of us are unemployed good for nothings – in the eyes of our
esteemed government – we might as well while away our days taking a
stand for our hospital, our NHS and the future of Britain's Welfare
State.
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
You can follow the
campaign on <span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><u><a href="http://www.facebook.com/savelewishamhospitalnhs" target="_blank">facebook</a>.</u></span></span><br />
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: navy;"><span lang="zxx">More photographs by <a href="http://www.andermcintyre.com/" target="_blank">Ander McIntyre</a></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-48321227197723655682013-02-02T04:03:00.000-08:002013-02-02T04:03:15.345-08:00The campaign to save Lewisham Hospital fights on!<br />
<div class="moz-forward-container">
<pre>Dear Andy Burnham,
My name is Jessica Ormerod. I am a Lewisham resident, mother of three
and chair of the Lewisham maternity service committee. Our committee
represents all maternity users in the borough of Lewisham. We work with
senior clinicians, managers and commissioners to shape maternity
services locally.
I congratulate you on your response to Jeremy Hunt in parliament
yesterday. I am a member of the Labour Party and as such am incredibly
proud that all three Lewisham MPs have tirelessly campaigned to protect
our successful and solvent hospital.
Women in Lewisham are outraged by Jeremy Hunt's decision to accept
Matthew Kershaw's recommendations in full. The down-graded Accident and
Emergency department is no more than a confusing and obfuscatory charade
to blind people to the fact that level three acute services will no
longer be available within the borough of Lewisham.
You are absolutely right that the reconfiguration planned for SLHT and
LHT sets a dangerous and alarming precedent for the entire NHS. If a
successful and solvent hospital such as Lewisham can be sacrificed to
bail out a neighbouring trust no hospital in the country is safe.
Jeremy Hunt's decision to accept Matthew Kershaw's recommendations mean
that Lewisham mothers will be denied the choice to give birth locally
with the support of obstetricians. Women have told our committee that
even if they are deemed fit to use the facility (and the vast majority
of women in Lewisham will not be able to even consider giving birth in a
midwife led unit), they would not want to run the risk of a blue-light
transfer. Women understand that childbirth is unpredictable: when a
doctor is required they are required quickly.
Therefore, we ask you to take this to the highest level. This coalition
will oversee the wholesale destruction of the NHS if a serious and
coordinated opposition is not set against their idealogical vendetta
which has no electoral mandate.
It is a moral outrage that acute services can be removed from an entire
London borough with a population of 250,000.
Yours sincerely,
Jessica Ormerod
</pre>
<br />
</div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-90882715882691807582013-02-01T13:44:00.001-08:002013-02-01T13:58:17.165-08:00The fairytale of Lewisham<br />
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Once
upon a time in a land quite close to where we live now there was a
hospital loved by patients, doctors and public alike. All the mummies
and daddies and neighbours knew that they were safe because the
hospital had all the right machines and clever doctors and nurses to
look after the families of Lewisham if they got ill.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">All
until one day when a bumbling accountant came to town. An evil
enchantment had been put on the accountant by the wicked magician
Mckinsey and so the poor man could only see the world in pound notes.
But children, it wasn't real money, it was the money of accountancy –
a special kind of money that can disappear with a slight of hand. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">The
evil magician Mckinsey wanted all the hospital's money for himself and
so he told the accountant to close the hospital to 'rationalise
services'. All the people of Lewisham cried, 'Oh no! Don't take our
lovely hospital – we love it so!'. But the naughty magician had
made the accountant deaf and so he couldn't hear the people and
carried on only thinking about money.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">At
this time, a Huntsman looked out from his tower. When he saw the
people of Lewisham crying in the streets and shouting in protest he
whispered to his friends, 'Who are these people? Why do they fuss?
Don't they know that the evil magician McKinsey knows what's best for
them? Don't they want the shiny hospital in the next kingdom we are
offering them? Never mind that it's got no transport links, no matter
that there will be too many people using it. People don't really need
local emergency services, do they?'.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">So
the people of Lewisham shouted louder and refused to leave their
hospital. They sent envoys to far away kingdoms to warn them that the
Huntsman and the evil magician would visit them next to rationalise
their services out of their hands and sell off their land to strange
companies.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">However,
the Huntsman had forgotten that he lived in a democracy and was in
danger of losing his tower. He then suddenly remembered a tale from
the town he came from, where he had heard that in years gone by his hospital had also been threatened by the great dragon Austerity. He
vaguely recalled that he had been one of the men who had slain the
dragon and rescued the hospital. </span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">As
these memories broke through the fog of the spell cast on him by
McKinsey: he was emboldened and drove the evil wizard from his tower.
</span>
</div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">Lewisham
Hospital was saved and there was rejoicing across the land.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;">So
sleep well dear children for this is only a fairy story and Level 3
acute care remains in the borough of Lewisham.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-24523542916964023862013-01-27T11:43:00.002-08:002013-01-27T11:43:53.104-08:00More pressTo catch up with all the latest in the media go to <a href="http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/">www.savelewishamhospital.com</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-3145609289041752832013-01-26T08:13:00.001-08:002013-01-26T08:13:30.707-08:0020,000 people march to Save Lewisham HospitalWow! What an afternoon that was. We're back from the march and recovering from the huge crowds with a lovely cup of tea. The kids are making an NHS boat and chanting, 'Save Lewisham Hospital, Save the NHS!'...<br />
<br />
I've just had a look on google for publicity about the march and here are the amazing results!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/nurses-from-olympic-ceremony-lead-lewisham-hospital-cuts-rally-8466887.html">The Standard's piece on the Olympic nurses</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/news.cfm?id=2850&headline=Hospital%20March:%20Some%20useful%20background%20information">South London Press</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2268262/Casualty-unit-12million-makeover-just-months-ago-shut-new-wave-NHS-cost-cutting.html?ito=feeds-newsxml">The Daily Mail</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lbc.co.uk/lewisham-hospital-demo-66441">LBC</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/25/marching-for-lewisham-hospital">The Guardian</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/protesters-march-over-crazy-lewisham-hospital-ae-plans-8468135.html">The Standard...again!</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21196758">Fantastic photo from the BBC</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.itv.com/news/update/2013-01-26/thousands-march-for-lewisham-hospital/">And on ITV</a><br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-54122477991971311342013-01-25T07:08:00.001-08:002013-01-26T02:27:18.699-08:00The Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign is hotting up<span style="font-size: x-large;">The campaign is gathering momentum by the day. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">Check out these three short films from the people of Lewisham:</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span>
<div class="utdU2e">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uVYzqsKqcZQ&feature=youtu.be">The Campaign's flash mob on the Department of Health</a><wbr></wbr> </span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="utdU2e">
</div>
<div class="utdU2e">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGhEzCzVm_o&feature=youtu.be">A fantastic version of Steps' Tragedy!</a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="ii gt adP adO" id=":84">
<div id=":83">
<div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0RZKZWK_O10&feature=youtu.be">Check out Simone Boothe's snowy journey to Woolwich from Bellingham</a></span><br />
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/24/protest-plans-shut-lewisham-hospital"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Polly Toynbee BIGS UP the Lewisham Hospital March</span></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-19379283942716359152013-01-18T06:18:00.003-08:002013-01-18T06:18:52.041-08:00Save Lewisham Hospital suggested lettersSome great suggestions for letters from the campaign for you to download.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.savelewishamhospital.com/write-to-jeremy-hunt-and-your-mp-outside-lewisham/">Check them out here!</a><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-85310710159508801662013-01-18T03:52:00.000-08:002013-01-18T03:53:48.438-08:00Write to Jeremy Hunt again!The MSLC have written a letter for you to send to Jeremy Hunt. Keep it as it is or change it as you see fit!<br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Jeremy
Hunt</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Secretary
of State for Health</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Department
of Health</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Richmond
House</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">79
Whitehall</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">London
SW1A 2NS</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;"> Your
address</span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">date</span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="RIGHT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Dear
Jeremy Hunt,</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">I
am writing to you about the proposed closures at Lewisham Hospital of
Accident and Emergency and Maternity Services.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">You
and David Cameron have confirmed that no closure will take place if
the proposed service reorganisation does not meet the Secretary for
Health's Four Tests. As I understand it Matthew Kershaw and his
team's recommendations do not fulfil the requirements set out.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Despite an
enormous budget that escalated dramatically, the TSA did not provide
adequate resources to properly engage with Lewisham's diverse
population and so you have not received a fair representation of our
needs.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">My
family rely on the acute services provided at Lewisham Hospital. We
demand that these services are kept local for the Lewisham
population. The result of closure will be that people will delay
going to A&E so their health will suffer because they won't
receive the medical attention they require when they are most at need.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">I
also believe that women in Lewisham should be able to give birth in
Lewisham in the safe knowledge that the delivery will be supported by
the best medical attention they require.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Ariel;">It
is unacceptable that an entire London Borough be asked to travel to
Woolwich to receive emergency care. It will be very dangerous to
burden the surrounding areas with the extra capacity of Lewisham
patients. </span>
</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">I have heard
much about patient choice over the last few weeks. Matthew Kershaw's
recommendations reduce choice for our entire community.</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">I urge you to
take our views into account. The recommendations do not have the
support of patients, doctors, GP commissioners or the public.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Ariel; font-size: large;">Yours
sincerely,</span></div>
<div align="LEFT" class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Lewisham Resident</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-10252176213585561172013-01-15T02:39:00.003-08:002013-01-15T02:39:33.878-08:00Read Lewisham's MPs case against the TSA's recommendations<br />
THE TRUST SPECIAL ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT ON SOUTH LONDON HEALTHCARE NHS TRUST AND THE NHS IN SOUTH EAST LONDON<br />
THE CASE AGAINST RECOMMENDATION 5: SERVICE RECONFIGURATION (CLOSURE OF THE A&E AND MATERNITY SERVICES AT LEWISHAM HOSPITAL)<br />
<br />
Prepared by Heidi Alexander MP, Jim Dowd MP & Rt Hon Dame Joan Ruddock MP<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Legal & Financial Case against the proposals</b><br />
As the three Members of Parliament representing Lewisham constituencies, we wish to set out the reasons why we believe the Secretary of State for Health should reject proposals from the Special Administrator to the South London Healthcare Trust (SLHT) to close the A&E and maternity services at Lewisham Hospital.<br />
We question whether the Trust Special Administrator (TSA) has the power in law to make recommendations which affect Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust, and whether the Secretary of State, in response to these recommendations, has the power to take a decision which results in the loss of A&E and maternity services at Lewisham Hospital – a solvent, successful hospital which is not part of the Trust to which the TSA was appointed.<br />
<br />
The TSA’s recommendation to close A&E and maternity services at Lewisham represents a significant reconfiguration of services in South East London. We note that the Government’s own guidance to TSAs states that the Unsustainable Provider’s Regime should not be used as “back-door approach to service reconfiguration” – this is exactly what is happening in South East London. It is our view that proposals relating to Lewisham Hospital such as those which have been made by the TSA are subject to the provisions of Section 244 NHS Act 2006 and relevant regulations. We do not believe that the Secretary of State has power to act on the recommendations of the TSA in so far as they relate to Lewisham Hospital. However, even if that is not the case, we do not accept that the proposals meet the Government’s Four Tests for service configuration (see below).<br />
<br />
We understand from Lewisham Healthcare NHS Trust that they did provide an alternative approach to the TSA’s proposals. The Trust, as part of its Expression of Interest for working with Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), outlined that – as an organisation with a track record of success – it should be allowed to work with GPs, patients and partners to decide what needs to be done to meet the financial challenges in the future. This approach was not pursued by the TSA.<br />
<br />
The TSA’s report shows that significant savings can be made without closing emergency and maternity services in Lewisham. Accepting only five of the six recommendations (excluding recommendation 5 on service reconfiguration), the TSA’s figures show there will only be a financial gap of just £1.7 million from a breakeven position. The proposed new organisation would need support initially to deal with the costs of integration and improve efficiency at QEH. But as a successful organisation, Lewisham Healthcare could work to close the £1.7 million gap without resorting to the destruction of vital services.<br />
<br />
Figure 29 of Appendix M shows that the TSA service reconfiguration proposals (as per recommendation 5) deliver only £19.5 million of savings at a cost of £195.2 million – a ten year pay-back period. In addition, Kings would receive £31.5 million in non recurrent support and £58.7 million in capital (the Princess Royal and King’s investment combined) and benefit by £7.5m annually from the re-provision of services from Lewisham.<br />
<br />
Service Reconfiguration and why these proposals fail the Government’s Four Tests<br />
Both the Secretary of State for Health and the Prime Minister have repeatedly stated that changes at Lewisham Hospital will not go ahead unless the four tests that Government have set for service reconfigurations have been met. We believe that TSA’s proposals fail each of these tests. We list the reasons below:<br />
<b>1. Support from GP Commissioners</b><br />
(i) The proposal to close the A&E and maternity services (with the consequent sale of over half of the Lewisham Hospital site) is not supported by Lewisham’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).<br />
(ii) Two thirds of Lewisham GPs have signed a letter to the Prime Minister setting out their opposition to the plans.<br />
(iii) The Lewisham CCG and local GPs do not accept a clinical case has been made for these proposals and do not believe that the proposed Urgent Care Centre model will work. They state that local GPs will be inclined to refer patients to hospitals with emergency departments for specialist opinion, with a consequential impact on the number of patients who present at a Lewisham UCC.<br />
(iv) Lewisham CCG and local GPs are also sceptical of the assertion that acute admissions can be reduced by 30% over 5 years – resulting in a situation where acute capacity will still be required but will not exist. There is no evidence to back up the assertion, upon which these proposals are predicated, that acute admissions can be reduced by 30% through the implementation of a community based care strategy.<br />
(v) The TSA uses quotes from other SE London CCGs as evidence of GP Commissioner support, yet no change is proposed to the provision of emergency and maternity services in the areas which these CCGs directly cover.<br />
<b>2. Strengthened Public and Patient Involvement</b><br />
(i) The public and patient involvement has been flawed. The 30 day public consultation on the TSA’s draft recommendation, whilst required by statute, is not consistent with Cabinet Office Guidelines nor does it meet the requirements of Section 242 of the National Health Service Act 2006, as would be required by a major reconfiguration.<br />
(ii) The consultation was woefully inadequate. The consultation questions were opaque and confusing. There was no clear question about Lewisham A&E and no question at all about the sale of over 50% of land and buildings at Lewisham. Numerous people who attempted to reply to the consultation online have told us that they simply gave up.<br />
(iii) Final recommendations in the report to the Secretary of State about services at Lewisham were not even included in the public consultation on the draft proposals (for example the midwifery-led birthing unit and the paediatric ambulatory service).<br />
(iv) Important assumptions contained in the draft report, such as the percentage of patients who would continue to be treated at an Urgent Care Centre at Lewisham, have been proven to be erroneous.<br />
The final report of the TSA suggests 50% of Lewisham A&E patients would still be treated at the UCC. The draft report suggested it would be 77%. Hospital doctors from Lewisham, based on an analysis of their caseload, suggest this figure is closer to 30%. This has an obvious impact on the additional capacity required at neighbouring hospitals to cope with displaced work from Lewisham, and means that the consultation proceeded on an incorrect and flawed basis.<br />
<b>3. Clarity on the Clinical Evidence Base</b><br />
(i) The report assumes that the better health outcomes associated with the centralisation of major trauma, stroke and complex vascular conditions will be replicated with respect to other medical emergencies (for example pneumonia, meningitis, sickle-cell crises), yet there is no clinical evidence to support this.<br />
(ii) The standards of care delivered at Lewisham’s A&E are high and have consistently outperformed other local emergency departments. For example, in 2010/11 and 2011/12 the emergency departments within SLHT failed to achieve the 4 hour standard, yet Lewisham consistently exceeded it. The quality of care given to newborn infants and children in Lewisham is also high and it has been the only London District General Trust to gain an “excellent” rating from the Health Care Commission in recent years.<br />
(iii) Consultant involvement in both pre-operative decision-making and surgical supervision, noted as a key component of good emergency care by the TSA in paragraph 49 of Appendix K has been recognised by London Health Programmes in their 2012 survey as being present at Lewisham, but not at other hospitals (excluding Kings) (p. 71 of final report).<br />
(iv) The proposals will lead to larger maternity units on fewer sites in South East London when there is no evidence that “bigger is better” in respect of maternity care. The Borough of Lewisham’s population is forecast to grow by 49,000 in the next 20 years, much of this driven by an increased birth rate (a 4% year on year increase is predicted). Lewisham has a high rate of teenage pregnancies and the percentage of older mothers is also above the national average. Continuity of care, with women having ante-natal care provided in Lewisham but having to go to another hospital to give birth will be seriously compromised as a result of these proposals and would require additional staff added to the consultant obstetric rota at King’s and then QEH as births on each of those sites exceed 8,000.<br />
(v) During the TSA process, the output of the clinical panels has been used as a proxy for clinical evidence. However clinicians in Lewisham have told us that no dissent was allowed in panel meetings, no votes were taken and that the output of these panels should not be relied upon as clinical evidence.<br />
<b>4. Consistency with current and prospective patient choice</b><br />
(i) Closing the A&E and maternity services at Lewisham and replacing them with a UCC and a midwifery-led birthing unit significantly reduces choice for the residents of Lewisham. Figures 40, 41 and 42 in the TSA’s final report show that the number of A&Es that will be within 30 minutes of people in South East London, travelling by either ambulance or using other modes of transport, falls. Journey times for people in Lewisham to A&Es will increase.<br />
(ii) Whilst the proposed UCC at Lewisham will be an option for patients with minor injuries, it will not be a meaningful choice for a patient with an undiagnosed complaint needing specialist assessment or possible admission.<br />
(iii) The proposed midwifery-led birthing unit at Lewisham will not be a choice for any woman who wishes to give birth safe in the knowledge that obstetricians would be available as a back-up. It may lead to more home deliveries and the hard to reach population will find it harder than ever to get access to timely care.<br />
(iv) Closing Lewisham’s A&E and maternity services will have a disproportionate negative effect on socially and economically deprived groups, which make up a significant proportion of Lewisham’s population. The Health and Equality Impact Assessment in the final report, which purports to consider this point, was not included in the consultation. It cannot therefore properly have helped form the recommendations, but instead appears simply as a post-rationalised justification for them. This is a further example of the flawed nature of the consultation process.<br />
Conclusion<br />
The proposals to close A&E and maternity services are dangerous and ill-conceived. Destroying a successful hospital by closing vital services is not in the best interests of the people of Lewisham, nor is it financially necessary. It would only make a saving of £12.2M (the approximate cost of Lewisham’s recently refurbished emergency department). Figure 47 of the final report details the saving for each of the TSA’s 6 main recommendations. If nothing is done, there will be a financial gap of £75.6M by 2015/16. However, if five of the six Recommendations are accepted (excluding recommendation 5 on Service Reconfiguration), the TSA’s figures show there will be a financial gap of just £1.7M from a break-even position. Additionally, the TSA service reconfiguration proposals (as per recommendation <b>5) deliver only £19.5 million of savings at a cost of £195.2 million – a ten year pay-back period. An alternative to solve this gap has been proposed.</b><br />
We urge the Secretary of State to reject Recommendation 5 and to retain a full admitting A&E and full maternity service at Lewisham Hospital.<br />
For more information:<br />
Heidi Alexander MP (Lewisham East) – 020 7219 7099 – heidi.alexander.mp@parliament.uk<br />
Jim Dowd MP (Lewisham West and Penge) – 020 7219 4617 – dowdj@parliament.uk<br />
Joan Ruddock (Lewisham Deptford) – 020 7219 4513 – joan.ruddock.mp@parliament.uk<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-69370642401534177532013-01-14T12:34:00.000-08:002013-01-14T12:34:30.081-08:00ITV London News cover the cuts 14th Jan 2013Lewisham mums and pensioners talk to the press about why the proposed cuts to our hospital are so dangerous.<br />
<br />
Check out the story here <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/london/story/2013-01-14/lewisham-a-e-meeting/">The ITV News Story</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-90979387263934834752013-01-14T12:28:00.001-08:002013-01-14T13:04:40.859-08:00The second letter to Jeremy Hunt<span style="font-family: ariel, 'MS Mincho'; text-align: justify;">Dear
Jeremy Hunt,</span><br />
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">Last
week in parliament you told Andy Burnham and the House that you would
not close Lewisham Hospital's A&E department or the full acute
maternity service if the TSA's recommendations do not fulfil the
Secretary of State for Health's Four Tests.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">We
are writing to point out that Matthew Kershaw and his team have
totally failed to meet the criteria set.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span ><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;"><b>First,
there must be clarity about the clinical evidence base underpinning
the proposals.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span font-family: ariel, 'MS Mincho'; text-indent: -0.64cm;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span font-family: ariel, 'MS Mincho'; text-indent: -0.64cm;">Lewisham's
Obstetricians and Gynaecologists have publicly stated that they will
not support a stand-alone birth centre. The women of Lewisham put
their faith in the expertise of these senior clinicians. We do not
believe that a stand-alone centre is safe.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span font-family: ariel, 'MS Mincho'; text-indent: -0.64cm;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span font-family: ariel, 'MS Mincho'; text-indent: -0.64cm;">Many
women in Lewisham will be considered as too high risk to use the
facility and that due to the unpredictability of childbirth the few
women who can use it will often require transfer. This will be
dangerous in view of the travel time required to reach the proposed
acute service at Queen Elizabeth in Woolwich.</span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.64cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">The
recommendations put much emphasis on the need for all hospitals to
provide 24-hour consultant cover. There is evidence that this is not
required for safety of patients. If you take this argument out of the
recommendation, then the need for a huge maternity hub can no longer
be defended. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;"><b>Second,
they must have the support of the GP commissioners involved.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">GPs
have unanimously and publicly told the Trust Special Administrator
and Department of Health that they are against the proposals. As
users, we put our faith in our GP commissioners who are experts in
the field. Since they categorically do NOT support the proposals, the
recommendations have absolutely no credibility</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;"><b>Third,
they must genuinely promote choice for their patients.</b> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">The
recommendations will reduce choice for maternity users.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">We
believe that the option of home birth will no longer exist, as women
will not want to use a service that is not backed-up by a local acute
service.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">Women
in the community have stated that they will not use a stand-alone
facility due to the high risk of not having an acute service on site.
It will become a very expensive facility for very few women. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">A
large percentage of Lewisham maternity users will be forced to use
Woolwich as they will be considered too high risk to use a stand
alone birth centre. Already a high proportion of the population are
transferred to hospitals such as St Thomas' and Kings, and this
proportion will only increase, since the criteria for using the birth
centre on the same site as the level 3 service is already very
limited. A large portion of the population will therefore have no
access at all to a local maternity experience.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">It
is known within the medical profession and within the community that
continuity of care suffers with an increase in the number of 'hand
overs' between professionals. All Lewisham residents will suffer as
they will receive antenatal care in the community, care in labour by
another set of midwives and then yet another change with postnatal
care, which will take place both in the hospital and within the
community. This will be made even more complicated by many women
choosing to use other hospital trusts for the actual birth. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">There
are serious safe-guarding and child protection implications involved
with such hugely complicated care packages.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;"><b>Fourth,
the process must have genuinely engaged the public, patients and
local authorities</b></span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">We
insist that you acknowledge the fact that there has neither been
enough time nor resources allocated to have genuinely engaged with
the public, patients or local authorities. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">We
have already outlined in detail the many instances in which there has
not been a proper consultation. Please refer to our letter dated 10th
January 2013. </span></span>
</div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">We
contacted Matthew Kershaw during the consultation period to share our
concerns that the women we represent had not been properly consulted.
We were offered a one-to-one meeting with a member of the TSA team at
8pm on the night before the deadline for public responses to the
consultation. No-one can claim that this was a serious attempt to
garner women's views.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">The
service-users of Lewisham's Maternity Service Liaison Committee
demand that Matthew Kershaw's absurd and dangerous recommendations
should be consigned to the rubbish bin where they belong.</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">Yours
sincerely,</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">Jessica
Ormerod</span></span></div>
<div class="western" style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span><span style="font-family: ariel, MS Mincho;">Service-user
Chair Lewisham MSLC</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="moz-text-html" lang="x-western">
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72"></pre>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-50103183345923126232013-01-13T11:15:00.001-08:002013-01-13T11:15:23.345-08:00Lewisham in the pressMomentum is building: the proposed closure is getting a lot of press.<br />
<br />
Here are some of the articles:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/13/lewisham-hospital-fury-bill-closure?CMP=twt_gu">The Guardian</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailymail.co.uk%2Fnews%2Farticle-2261517%2FJeremy-Hunt-doctors-backdoor-A-E-closure-Plans-axe-vital-service-bail-bankrupt-Trust-breaks-rule-book.html&h=fAQFjQVX0AQHQso8xwlvEzTq-M_ED4vkru0cZfsPAzoohqQ&enc=AZOBjMO0USuIocA9bxImxsUAVMBwmhSMHhrERteS4Pe_04uhHjjRdPv4JpoQwn1pmo1sgVgnp6M7JZ9YzcQjaz-z">The Mail on Sunday</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/panewsfeeds/doctors-attack-health-trust-plan-8442442.html?origin=internalSearch">The Standard</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/lewisham-ae-moves-closer-to-closure-despite-massive-outcry-8442553.html?origin=internalSearch">The Standard again</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.standard.co.uk/news/health/squad-hired-to-slash-nhs-spending-goes-1m-over-budget-8436514.html">And The Standard again!</a><br />
<br />
And catch up on the debate between Jeremy Hunt, Heidi Alexander and Joan Ruddock on<a href="http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2013-01-08a.169.0&s=speaker%3A10519#g169.1">They Work for You</a>.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-53285607991830006702013-01-13T05:12:00.002-08:002013-01-13T05:12:50.947-08:00The Lewisham MSLC are proud to present our Annual Report 2012. Read all about our achievements over the last year.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B17hkUSd3Q9nbjhHenV0S2RGYlU/edit">Lewisham MSLC Annual Report 2012</a><br />
<br />
If you are interested in joining the MSLC or have any suggestions for areas you would like us to focus on then get in touch with us on our facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lewisham-MSLC/120182561474636">Lewisham MSLC</a> or you can email <a href="mailto:jessica@ormews.com">jessica@ormews.com</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08207473998160777374noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4120559925991776588.post-84680333650858173312013-01-10T05:36:00.001-08:002013-01-10T05:36:27.384-08:00The MSLC write to Jeremy Hunt<br />
<div class="moz-forward-container">
<div class="moz-forward-container">
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Dear Jeremy Hunt,</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">I am writing to you as the
Lay Chair of the Lewisham Maternity Service Liaison Committee
(MSLC) regarding the inappropriate use of the Regime for
Unsustainable NHS Providers to reconfigure health services in
South East London. </span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">I am very concerned about
the Regime’s apparent intention to harvest the vital services
from Lewisham Hospital in order to save the ailing Queen
Elizabeth Hospital. We believe that this is an at best dubious
and quite possibly actually unlawful use of the legislation,
and we would like to take this opportunity to inform you that
should this case come to Judicial Review, we shall support the
rejection of the recommendations.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Before you make your
decision, please focus on these three critical areas:</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"><b>1. The Regime for
Unsustainable NHS Providers is being wrongfully employed</b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">It is clear from the
Statutory Guidance for Trust Special Administrators appointed
to NHS Trusts (DoH, 2012) that the reconfiguration of services
outlined in Matthew Kershaw's Draft Report falls outside the
remit of the Regime. This is explicitly stated on page 6: 'The
regime does not provide a back-door reconfiguration of
services'.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Moreover, it is claimed
that:</span>
<ol start="19">
<li><span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">The Regime is intended
to protect patients and staff from failing services,
ensuring good local services for all patients. </span> </li>
</ol>
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">It is unjustifiable that in
order to save Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Lewisham residents'
access to high-quality, safe and effective services should be
removed. </span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">I refer to p. 7: PRINCIPLE 1
- Patient interests must always come first. The most important
consideration is the continued provision of high-quality, safe
and effective services so that patients have the necessary
access to the services that they rely on.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">The Regime has not been
'credible' or 'workable' (p. 7 Principle 5). Despite the fact
that the TSA held public meetings, there was no attempt to
give sufficient resources to adequately consult service users
– particularly the large quota of seldom-heard groups resident
in Lewisham. This is despite the essential principle in the
Statutory Guidance 'that patient interest should come first'.
</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"> Women who attended the two
hastily organised focus groups reported that the organisers
overtly suggested that Lewisham medical staff were against the
proposals because they wanted to save their jobs. This is an
example of the clear determination of the TSA to shut down
open discussion and does nothing to encourage confidence that
the Regime is either open or independent.</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"> The experience I had when
attending a meeting convened by the TSA team and Mckinseys,
which claimed to be a 'workshop' with senior clinicians,
commissioners, midwives and managers across South East London
Service Providers, was breathtakingly patronising and
dismissive. </span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">'The Trust Special
Administrator is required to undertake an equality impact
assessment, observing equality legislation and principles, and
demonstrating that due regard has been paid to the equality
duty of the Equality Act 2010. The equality assessment should
apply to both patients and staff. It is recommended that the
assessment is undertaken early on in the Regime to allow the
Trust Special Administrator to identify, for example, groups
with protected characteristics that may be affected and which
the Trust Special Administrator’s draft report can take into
account'. (p.13). However, the assessment managed by Deloittes
will not be published until the Final Recommendation has been
submitted.<b> </b> It thus cannot be used to influence his
decision and therefore he won't have complied with the
statutory regulation. </span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"><b> 2. The Secretary of
State's four tests will not be met</b></span> <br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"> It is stated that<b>, </b></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"><b>'</b>local
reconfiguration plans must demonstrate support from GP
commissioners, strengthened public and patient engagement,
clarity on the clinical evidence base and support for patient
choice. These tests were set out in the revised Operating
Framework for 2010-11. For example, it is important that there
is strong clinical evidence that the recommendations will
deliver safe and effective care. </span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Lewisham Healthcare Trust,
amongst others, has responded to the TSA that there will be a
seriously negative impact on the delivery of safe and
effective care on the residents of Lewisham. There is clear
evidence that women and infants will be put at serious risk
should Lewisham Hospital lose its acute services. </span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">It is also a fact that
clinicians, commissioners, managers, midwives and service
users were not given the opportunity to contribute
substantively to the models used by the TSA in his draft
report. The overwhelming majority do not support the
recommendation.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">It is indisputable that The
Secretary of State's four tests have not been met.</span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;"> <b>3. Maternity Matters
has been completely disregarded.</b></span> <br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Maternity Matters requires
that all women should have, ‘choice of place of birth.
Depending on their circumstances, women and their partners
will be able to choose between three different options. These
are: <br />
• a home birth<br />
• birth in a local facility, including a hospital, under the
care of a midwife<br />
• birth in a hospital supported by a local maternity care team
including midwives, <br />
anaesthetists and consultant obstetricians. For some women
this will be the<br />
safest option.' (Maternity Matters, 2007, p.5)</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">I refer to the words 'local
facility'. A local facility is not one that requires a woman
to travel a minimum of 40 minutes in labour in order to give
birth. It is very likely that home birth will disappear as a
viable option and it is also evident from consulting with
women that they will not use a midwife-led birth centre that
is not supported by an acute service on site. </span> <br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">It is therefore plain that
the recommendation will not be compliant with Maternity
Matters.</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">In the TSA's haste to
conjure a cost-cutting exercise in bureaucracy to camouflage a
failing Trust, the rights of women in Lewisham to a local and
coherent maternity experience has been totally overlooked.</span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Yours sincerely,</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Jessica Ormerod</span> <br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">Service-user Chair Lewisham
Maternity Service Liaison Committee</span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: ariel, Times New Roman;">More about MSLCs: In
Lewisham we have an active MSLC. The committee is a
multi-disciplinary forum bringing together different
professions involved in maternity care and a diverse range of
user representatives in order to ensure that maternity
services commissioners and maternity care provider units take
account of the views of women and families using the service.<sup>
</sup>It is in this capacity that the service user members
draw your attention to the depth of our concern for the
welfare of the women and infants we represent.</span> <br />
<br />
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