Local MP, Norman Baker, has condemned instructions from Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust to Eastbourne District General Hospital which order the hospital not to treat any patients until the last possible moment in an attempt to save £1.3m before the end of the financial year.
Managers at the town's local hospital have been ordered by the Chief Executive of the PCT not to see any of the patients referred to it, except urgent cases, until the 13th week. This is the maximum allowed under government targets. The instructions issued also state that patients waiting for surgery will have their treatment delayed for up to 6 months.
Eastbourne Downs Primary Care Trust is responsible for constituents of Mr Baker who live in Seaford, Polegate and surrounding villages.
Speaking on this matter, Norman said:
"These instructions from Eastbourne Downs PCT are quite simply outrageous and unacceptable. The job of the PCT and hospitals should be to ensure that patients are treated appropriately and as quickly and efficiently as possible. I understand that there are currently financial difficulties which the NHS has to address but this is certainly not the way to do it. The idea of forcing people to wait for care or treatment when the people and facilities are available is reprehensible."
"My constituents can rest assured that I will be raising the matter with both the PCT and the Health Secretary."
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Contact Norman at:
Norman Baker,
23 East Street,
Lewes,
East Sussex,
BN7 2LJ.
Tel: (01273) 480281.
Fax: (01273) 480287.
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