A worrying future.

Posted By: Jean Ashworth
Date Posted: 06/06/2011

The date for closing our Maternity, Children’s Inpatients and Special Care Baby unit is getting nearer 25th June what a sad day this will be.
More so what a worry for this borough as we know that the drastic changes so far have caused nothing but heartache and suffering for our most vulnerable in this borough and surrounding areas.

New mum’s to- be are confused as to were their child will actually be born as they are not being given that much used word promised by Making it Better “Choice” they are being told that Oldham will be the place they will have to go to, can Oldham cope with all these extra new mums and baby’s which is being moved from the Infirmary to a temporary ward at Oldham until the new build is ready and will the new build ever have enough room to accommodate them all as we know that the temporarily ward hasn’t enough room for all of our Special Care Baby nurses to move to on the 25th June! It was always policy to show a Mum to-be around the unit to alleviate any anxiety and familiarise with the area that is not happening and is not the fault of the dedicated nurses it is the impossible situation that they have been forced into.

Bed shortage is a major issue throughout the Pennine Acute patients are being woken up and moved and discharged early because someone else needs their bed. Our elderly are the most vulnerable and more at risk than ever before through these shortages of beds.

Transport still remains a major issue for everyone again promises from Healthy Futures stated transport will be better for people having to travel further for hospital visits and appointments and would not be a problem.
It is a major problem for everyone concerned staff /visitors and patients, Ambulances are queuing at the doors of A&E departments with patients waiting to be admitted and taking longer to attend emergency calls in some cases again not the fault of the staff it is the situation that has been forced on them.
If anything closing our A&E at the Rochdale Infirmary is costing this trust more than it was before it became an Urgent Care Centre and people in this borough are suffering for being ill?
Thank you to ALL our wonderful Staff at the Rochdale Infirmary we know these moves and closures are not Making it Better or is it a Healthy Future for those who need it most.