Let
us deal with the constant, repetitive claims made
by politicians and NHS Lothian that they are investing
in St. John’s and not downgrading it. Why
don’t you decide?
Compare
& Contrast
Here is a list of procedures / services which
used to be carried out at St. John’s but
which have now been WITHDRAWN and are
now only available / sited in Edinburgh (RIE or
WGH). In a separate document we will list other
services which will be threatened once the May
3rd election has passed (see link below).
ACUTE SURGERY - including...Appendix,
Gall Bladder,
and Urology includes Kidney stones and Bladder
Surgery
Colorectal (bowel surgery)
TRAUMA ORTHOPEDICS - including...Fractured
Hip,
Hip replacement, Broken Bones
MORTUARY SERVICES - including...Post
Mortems, Accident retrievals,
Sudden/suspicious death retrievals
MAJOR INCIDENT STATUS - The ability to
deal with all aspects of ANY major incident within
the district i.e. Air crashes, major traffic accidents,
explosions etc.
MANAGEMENT – Decisions
now made in Edinburgh (often to try and solve
the Health Board’s huge deficit)
PATHOLOGY – from Thurs
15th Feb 2007 all specimens are transported to
RIE/WGH and reported from there. Specimens are
sent on by lab van. Frozen section cases need
to be notified well in advance to pathology RIE.
They say that this is not downgrading
services – WE SAY IT IS
The following is what they say represents investment
to secure the future. Note that the simplest investment
of all – an increased catchment area –
has still not been delivered! Why not?
“NEW” Renal Dialysis Unit
– the “New” unit opened 30.01.2005.
It is not fully staffed and closes with no evening
sessions available (which is commonplace in most
fully functioning Units). This is another 9-5
service. Failure to invest in staff, etc means
that this unit is not operating to its full capacity
with the result that there is a waiting list for
dialysis slots. In other words, some patients
from West Lothian STILL travel to ERI for dialysis.
Mental Health Mother and Baby Unit
– This is in fact a WARD
- previously ward 16. This has ALWAYS been a psychiatric
ward! It has simply been adapted to provide beds
for mums with postnatal depression and their babies.
ENT – (sometimes referred to as
Head & Neck) Always been available
at St. John’s not a new service. Again this
is ELECTIVE surgery. Why give us Head & Neck
when they are taking away our Heart and Soul?
“New” Observation Ward
– This “New” Ward is effectively
the old daybed area which has been renamed. This
is a place to “collect” patients and
monitor them, sometimes whilst they await transfer
to Edinburgh hospitals (centralisation) or simply
to minimize trolley waits in A&E and keep
within the 4 hour target.
Is this major investment?
Does
this mean stability?
Does
this guarantee a long term future for St John’s
as an acute hospital?
WE SAY NO - BUT YOU DECIDE !!
What
is threatened after 3rd May elections? read
more...
