Hospital shuts ‘vital’ ward to save on cash

10:40am Friday 7th January 2011 in News

Hospital shuts ‘vital’ ward to save on cash Hospital shuts ‘vital’ ward to save on cash

SOUTHEND Hospital has announced it is to close one of its busiest surgical wards in a bid to save cash and balance the books.

The 26 shocked staff on George Foster Taylor ward have been informed their jobs will be saved and they will be relocated elsewhere in the hospital.

The 25-bed female-only ward will close in April.

Savage cuts in the hospital’s budget have already seen two wards close and up to 400 full-time posts are under threat over the next three years.

Nick Bradley, Unison regional officer, said the latest closure would have a major impact on waiting lists.

He said: “We have been told no staff will be made redundant, but the major issue is whether Southend can afford to lose so many beds.

“What is going to happen to patients?

“It is a very busy ward and almost always full.

“There is real anger among staff, who fear what will happen to patients.”

Mr Bradley said the impact on waiting lists for surgery would be “enormous”. He added: “Most hospitals are already at the edge and have no spare capacity. If there was a major incident, the hospital would be in serious trouble.”

Mr Bradley said staff were given no warning such a crucial ward could face the axe.

He added: “Even two consultants didn’t know this was going to happen. There was no consultation by management and they have given us no rationale for it.

“They couldn’t answer any questions or give us any information. This is just about bureaucrats balancing the cash register, but it will have a major impact on patient care.”

Staff didn’t want to be named, but one female employee said they wouldn’t take the closure lying down.

She said: “We have to fight this. We can’t just accept it.

“Everyone was told they would have jobs in other parts of the hospital, but there were no details. We had no warning at all.”

Another said: “Lots of staff and patients are upset the ward is closing because it is a really good ward that is always busy.

“People are always saying good things about it and it is such a surprise because it is one of the busiest surgical wards in the hospital.”

Malcolm McFrederick, the hospital’s director of operations, said the hospital had been working hard to reduce patients’ stays over the last year-and-a-half and they were succeeding.

He said: “By rationalising our surgical services, the hospital trust is planning to close a ward while still ensuring patient safety and care is maintained through greater support in the community.”

Hospitals bosses recently came under fire for spending £880,000 on management consultants while facing a period of swingeing job cuts.

It has also been criticised for overspending by £1million in just six months by employing temporary staff in A&E.

Comments (20)

10:55am Fri 7 Jan 11

reptile says...

A pre-1997 story, welcome back the Tories.
A pre-1997 story, welcome back the Tories. reptile

10:58am Fri 7 Jan 11

'V' says...

This will be Cameron's cuts 'not affecting frontline services' then.
This will be Cameron's cuts 'not affecting frontline services' then. 'V'

10:59am Fri 7 Jan 11

'V' says...

Oh, I forgot to add:

NEVER TRUST A TORY.
Oh, I forgot to add: NEVER TRUST A TORY. 'V'

11:03am Fri 7 Jan 11

gitreal says...

Why does everyone blame the government? The NHS is one of the most wasteful institutions in this country. If anything, blame the hospital management and the amouont of money it wastes. Make further cuts and have a leaner, meaner efficient and effective NHS.

Cuts had to made and more will be made because of the financial mess this country is in.
Why does everyone blame the government? The NHS is one of the most wasteful institutions in this country. If anything, blame the hospital management and the amouont of money it wastes. Make further cuts and have a leaner, meaner efficient and effective NHS. Cuts had to made and more will be made because of the financial mess this country is in. gitreal

11:24am Fri 7 Jan 11

anon anon says...

gitreal wrote:
Why does everyone blame the government? The NHS is one of the most wasteful institutions in this country. If anything, blame the hospital management and the amouont of money it wastes. Make further cuts and have a leaner, meaner efficient and effective NHS. Cuts had to made and more will be made because of the financial mess this country is in.
100% spot on...........

well done mr Brown and blair!
[quote][p][bold]gitreal[/bold] wrote: Why does everyone blame the government? The NHS is one of the most wasteful institutions in this country. If anything, blame the hospital management and the amouont of money it wastes. Make further cuts and have a leaner, meaner efficient and effective NHS. Cuts had to made and more will be made because of the financial mess this country is in.[/p][/quote]100% spot on........... well done mr Brown and blair! anon anon

12:07pm Fri 7 Jan 11

westcliff willi says...

anon anon wrote:
gitreal wrote: Why does everyone blame the government? The NHS is one of the most wasteful institutions in this country. If anything, blame the hospital management and the amouont of money it wastes. Make further cuts and have a leaner, meaner efficient and effective NHS. Cuts had to made and more will be made because of the financial mess this country is in.
100% spot on........... well done mr Brown and blair!
quite right the NHS would quite happliy suck up 100% of all taxes if allowed to, plus the untold billions we have to borrow thanks to the last mob
[quote][p][bold]anon anon[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]gitreal[/bold] wrote: Why does everyone blame the government? The NHS is one of the most wasteful institutions in this country. If anything, blame the hospital management and the amouont of money it wastes. Make further cuts and have a leaner, meaner efficient and effective NHS. Cuts had to made and more will be made because of the financial mess this country is in.[/p][/quote]100% spot on........... well done mr Brown and blair![/p][/quote]quite right the NHS would quite happliy suck up 100% of all taxes if allowed to, plus the untold billions we have to borrow thanks to the last mob westcliff willi

12:28pm Fri 7 Jan 11

Mark D says...

While I have no specific comment on this particular story or on Southend Hospital, I remember watching the TV programme "Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS?", which revealed extraordinary waste in the NHS.
While I have no specific comment on this particular story or on Southend Hospital, I remember watching the TV programme "Can Gerry Robinson Fix the NHS?", which revealed extraordinary waste in the NHS. Mark D

12:57pm Fri 7 Jan 11

gardenman says...

just the tip of the iceberg of whats in store cos of these cuts,NHS,Law and order or rather lack of it,Defense,and just about every service that weve taken for granted,yet moremoney for Europe,overseas aid,and no doubt bigger bonuses for tory bankers and traders.
just the tip of the iceberg of whats in store cos of these cuts,NHS,Law and order or rather lack of it,Defense,and just about every service that weve taken for granted,yet moremoney for Europe,overseas aid,and no doubt bigger bonuses for tory bankers and traders. gardenman

1:23pm Fri 7 Jan 11

el caballero de la noche says...

Reading comments from the Socialist's that would support Labour no matter what, I reply as follows:

As a Non labour, Non Liberal and Non Conservative sensible floating voter, the above comments are correct HOWEVER if saving are necessary and they are. (someone i.e taxpayers have to pay)

If the Tories/Libs really want to help prevent NHS financial disaster surely a good idea would be to once again allow Tax reduction on private medical care payments this would encourage more to 'go private' especially those that can afford to go private thus reducing cost's to the Government.

As for stupid comments above it is no good condemning any political party unless you have an answer or suggestion to help solve a serious problem which we are facing, so like the Labour Party do now they condemn whatever is suggested by any other party 'BUT WHAT' is there proposals.

And to be honest the character, and backgrounds of Cameron and Milliband are so similar that a razor blade hardly separates them form their privileged up bringings.
Reading comments from the Socialist's that would support Labour no matter what, I reply as follows: As a Non labour, Non Liberal and Non Conservative sensible floating voter, the above comments are correct HOWEVER if saving are necessary and they are. (someone i.e taxpayers have to pay) If the Tories/Libs really want to help prevent NHS financial disaster surely a good idea would be to once again allow Tax reduction on private medical care payments this would encourage more to 'go private' especially those that can afford to go private thus reducing cost's to the Government. As for stupid comments above it is no good condemning any political party unless you have an answer or suggestion to help solve a serious problem which we are facing, so like the Labour Party do now they condemn whatever is suggested by any other party 'BUT WHAT' is there proposals. And to be honest the character, and backgrounds of Cameron and Milliband are so similar that a razor blade hardly separates them form their privileged up bringings. el caballero de la noche

1:25pm Fri 7 Jan 11

perini says...

A good start would be to stop treating people who have never paid into the NHS unless they are paying upfront. Another saving on resource would be after triage - non essential 'ailments' told to go home and either go see a chemist or their GP
A good start would be to stop treating people who have never paid into the NHS unless they are paying upfront. Another saving on resource would be after triage - non essential 'ailments' told to go home and either go see a chemist or their GP perini

2:11pm Fri 7 Jan 11

Balexan says...

perini wrote:
A good start would be to stop treating people who have never paid into the NHS unless they are paying upfront. Another saving on resource would be after triage - non essential 'ailments' told to go home and either go see a chemist or their GP
Perhaps, but this would turn into something much worse whereby the amount you've paid in will dictate what surgery you can have based on your contribution.

As for gitreal's comments, the reason the NHS is so hammered is because of sheer size of our population (even without immigrants). Lawyers are even sueing the NHS for people have a scar left after an op, even cosmetic surgery is getting done on it thanks to legal loopholes. The NHS is being abused by us and immigrants alike. No more cosmetic surgery, no more frivolous law suits.
People are even using A&E instead of going to their GP's for colds, or they've forgotten to pickup a prescription. We have taken the NHS for granted. Drunks cost it money, the morpidly obese (self inflicted cases) cost it money. The only time i have been to hospital is if i've had a serious accident or needed surgery (probably about 4 times in my life...so far). The spread of infections is costing millions, i believe a lot this is because the public can just walk in and out when they want.
People are having more and more children (is that one a minute program actually a fact?), this is costing the NHS tens of millions.
We have all abused the NHS because of own behaviour.
But even I have to say, the tories were never fans of the NHS and this just the excuse they need to completely dis-credit it.
If we don't change we will lose our, once internationally envied, national health service!
[quote][p][bold]perini[/bold] wrote: A good start would be to stop treating people who have never paid into the NHS unless they are paying upfront. Another saving on resource would be after triage - non essential 'ailments' told to go home and either go see a chemist or their GP[/p][/quote]Perhaps, but this would turn into something much worse whereby the amount you've paid in will dictate what surgery you can have based on your contribution. As for gitreal's comments, the reason the NHS is so hammered is because of sheer size of our population (even without immigrants). Lawyers are even sueing the NHS for people have a scar left after an op, even cosmetic surgery is getting done on it thanks to legal loopholes. The NHS is being abused by us and immigrants alike. No more cosmetic surgery, no more frivolous law suits. People are even using A&E instead of going to their GP's for colds, or they've forgotten to pickup a prescription. We have taken the NHS for granted. Drunks cost it money, the morpidly obese (self inflicted cases) cost it money. The only time i have been to hospital is if i've had a serious accident or needed surgery (probably about 4 times in my life...so far). The spread of infections is costing millions, i believe a lot this is because the public can just walk in and out when they want. People are having more and more children (is that one a minute program actually a fact?), this is costing the NHS tens of millions. We have all abused the NHS because of own behaviour. But even I have to say, the tories were never fans of the NHS and this just the excuse they need to completely dis-credit it. If we don't change we will lose our, once internationally envied, national health service! Balexan

4:38pm Fri 7 Jan 11

jolllyboy says...

A decision made by men? to close a womens ward? And where will the ladies go to have necessary operations? There are more people therefore more beds are needed not less. Third ward closed and more to come. Absolutely disgusting. Write to your MP's you may need these wards for a relative if not yourself. We are going back to only being able to have the treatment if you can pay for it or are at death's door.
Gerry Robinson's project shown on the TV was right - it is a mess and it need not be.
A decision made by men? to close a womens ward? And where will the ladies go to have necessary operations? There are more people therefore more beds are needed not less. Third ward closed and more to come. Absolutely disgusting. Write to your MP's you may need these wards for a relative if not yourself. We are going back to only being able to have the treatment if you can pay for it or are at death's door. Gerry Robinson's project shown on the TV was right - it is a mess and it need not be. jolllyboy

5:33pm Fri 7 Jan 11

alongtheway says...

Bring back Mattron.Kick out many of those pen pushers and save thousands
Bring back Mattron.Kick out many of those pen pushers and save thousands alongtheway

6:04pm Fri 7 Jan 11

Balexan says...

alongtheway wrote:
Bring back Mattron.Kick out many of those pen pushers and save thousands
I like it, even the patients wouldn't cross the Mattron!
[quote][p][bold]alongtheway[/bold] wrote: Bring back Mattron.Kick out many of those pen pushers and save thousands[/p][/quote]I like it, even the patients wouldn't cross the Mattron! Balexan

9:22pm Fri 7 Jan 11

iain beag says...

So which are the other two wards that have been shut?
So which are the other two wards that have been shut? iain beag

10:06pm Fri 7 Jan 11

paulzone says...

I can imagine the Chief Executive is earning more than our prime minister
I can imagine the Chief Executive is earning more than our prime minister paulzone

12:22am Sat 8 Jan 11

karen29 says...

reptile wrote:
A pre-1997 story, welcome back the Tories.
Your very own cut out and keep simple graph showing how Labour, since 2001, spent more than the tax receipts received and had to borrow to plug the shortfall. Labour's golden handling of the economy was nothing more than an illusion. Every time you hear a Labour politician mmoaning about tory cuts, job losses, tax rises, home repossesions etc etc etc - take a peak at this graph and remember exactly where the blame lays.
.

http://www.spectator
.co.uk/coffeehouse/6
205493/was-labours-s
pending-irresponsibl
e.thtml
[quote][p][bold]reptile[/bold] wrote: A pre-1997 story, welcome back the Tories.[/p][/quote]Your very own cut out and keep simple graph showing how Labour, since 2001, spent more than the tax receipts received and had to borrow to plug the shortfall. Labour's golden handling of the economy was nothing more than an illusion. Every time you hear a Labour politician mmoaning about tory cuts, job losses, tax rises, home repossesions etc etc etc - take a peak at this graph and remember exactly where the blame lays. . http://www.spectator .co.uk/coffeehouse/6 205493/was-labours-s pending-irresponsibl e.thtml karen29

1:07am Sat 8 Jan 11

Andycal 172D says...

It's back to the future ! I've slipped through a hole in the time space continuum to end up back in the 1980s! Help!

And as far as who is to blame, I do not care! All I know is a ward is being shut and someone promised front line services would not be compromised.

Which means that someone LIED!
It's back to the future ! I've slipped through a hole in the time space continuum to end up back in the 1980s! Help! And as far as who is to blame, I do not care! All I know is a ward is being shut and someone promised front line services would not be compromised. Which means that someone LIED! Andycal 172D

1:40am Sat 8 Jan 11

Kiku says...

Skip the sexism/racism/politi
cs stuff. Check your facts or shut-up. All are entitled to emergency care-life is life. We ALL need to be responsible & not abuse the system. The NHS has economy probs-are you ok with us paying open-market rates for a good business manager? Peanuts/monkeys etc? I am an RN at SGH. I'm proud of us. Quit moaning & help.
Skip the sexism/racism/politi cs stuff. Check your facts or shut-up. All are entitled to emergency care-life is life. We ALL need to be responsible & not abuse the system. The NHS has economy probs-are you ok with us paying open-market rates for a good business manager? Peanuts/monkeys etc? I am an RN at SGH. I'm proud of us. Quit moaning & help. Kiku

12:13pm Sat 8 Jan 11

'V' says...

Andycal 172D wrote:
It's back to the future ! I've slipped through a hole in the time space continuum to end up back in the 1980s! Help!

And as far as who is to blame, I do not care! All I know is a ward is being shut and someone promised front line services would not be compromised.

Which means that someone LIED!
It looks like we turned the clocks back thirty years instead of an hour last year.
[quote][p][bold]Andycal 172D[/bold] wrote: It's back to the future ! I've slipped through a hole in the time space continuum to end up back in the 1980s! Help! And as far as who is to blame, I do not care! All I know is a ward is being shut and someone promised front line services would not be compromised. Which means that someone LIED![/p][/quote]It looks like we turned the clocks back thirty years instead of an hour last year. 'V'

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