Proposed changes to neonatal care in North Wales have been heavily opposed in the health board’s statutory consultation.
62 per cent of 1,518 respondents to an ‘open questionnaire’ strongly disagreed with a proposal to provide all neonatal services from Arrowe Park Hospital on the Wirral. Just eighteen per cent either agreed or strongly agreed.
In a presentation prepared by ‘Opinion Research Services’ (ORS), which has been passed to the Welsh Conservatives (and is attached), the statutory consultation’s results are provided in detail.
In total, 11,898 signatures have been received on a number of petitions, including 1,990 against the neonatal move to England. There were 779 submissions.
The axing of minor injury services across North Wales receives a mixed reaction in the ‘household survey’, while the majority of respondents to the ‘open questionnaire’ strongly disagree with the proposals.
There is also similar opposition to local plans to reduce inpatient beds across the region.
Comments received in submissions and focus groups highlight worries over lack of 24 hour accident and emergency departments, concern over loss of beds, and worries over distance and travelling time.
On neonatal care specifically, comments include concerns over ‘travel: distance/cost/poor road network/public transport/stress/family can’t visit./keep care local’ and worries over the ‘suitability’ of Arrowe Park Hospital.
Welsh Conservatives have also raised concerns over the narrative within the presentation, which encourages decision makers to give more weight to more favourable household survey responses, rather than Open Questionnaire submissions; and attempts to downplay the importance of petitions, particularly on neonatal care.
Shadow Minister for Health, Darren Millar AM, said:
“Strong opposition to many of these unnecessary proposals is no surprise at all and it’s now time for the health board to sit up and take notice.
“Huge concerns over relocating neonatal care from North Wales and shifting it over the border into the Wirral cannot be ignored.
“This unwanted proposal has been flawed from the start. Travelling times, costs, the suitability of Arrowe Park, and clear public opposition to the proposals make it very clear that this senseless plan simply won’t work.
“I am extremely concerned that this document appears to encourage decision makers to pay more regard to household surveys than open questionnaire responses. This is an insult to those people who have taken the time to respond to the consultation and I would urge Health Board members to disregard this advice and ensure that all public consultation responses are properly considered.
“Opposition to axing minor injury units and inpatient beds, and forcing patients to travel further, must be heard to and acted upon.
“These proposals are unfair and will only heap more pressure on frontline staff already struggling to cope as a result of Labour’s record-breaking budget cuts.”
Commenting on the presentation’s ‘example petition’, Mr Millar said:
“It is very alarming that the document plays down the response to the petition submitted by Cuddles.
“The views of this charity and those who have signed this petition are shared by thousands across the region and the Health Board must provide a guarantee that these are not swept under the carpet.”
