‘'Ridiculous’ - how High Peak residents feel about the loss of outpatient services from Buxton
It was announced in January that by the end of March all outpatient services will be removed from Buxton hospitals and patients will have to go to Stockport for appointments.
This quickly became an issue that has got many of you talking.
The Stockport NHS Foundation Trust stated Ophthalmology, ear, nose and throat, rheumatology, gynaecology, urology, respiratory care, surgical, diabetes and the pain clinic would be relocating to Stepping Hill from the end of March.
Wicket Pogul said: “That is mental. Ridiculous move with all the new builds and how many people are already using the services.
“And also people who actually can't travel to these other places. Honestly I don't understand some things.”
The Pride of the Peaks pub in New Mills said the decision was ‘wrong wrong wrong’.
Valerie Brindley said: “So trying to cut down on ambulances in the area, then cutting the hospital services, meanwhile building more houses.
“They should try and get over to Macclesfield or stepping hill when it's bad weather, you have no chance, the waiting times are already too long at these hospitals.
“You aren't looking after Buxton or the surrounding areas, I had to be rushed to Stepping Hill, and had to wait to get into ICU.
“After all the clapping etc for the health service, you are now putting them under too much of a strain, that's why the towns have their own hospitals to alleviate the stress on those two hospitals.
“We need the Buxton hospital to have more help not less.”
Leanne Evans agreed and said: “Well this isn’t exactly going to help other hospitals getting over run is it?
“Close some and over run the main ones. They are moaning the hospitals are struggling with the sheer number yet choose to close other options which may help them function and treat better. Makes no sense whatsoever.”
High Peak MP Jon Pearce - who gained 1,000 signatures on a petition to stop the closure - said he was ‘dumbfounded’ by the plans to remove services.
He said: “It is unacceptable and unjustifiable to rip these services from our community with no explanation and no evidence as to why this decision has been made.
“Our rural constituency relies on local services and moving to Stockport creates major barriers for elderly residents, disabled residents and those without a car.” The MP says he has demanded further meetings with top bosses at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust and has also raised the issue with the health secretary to try and stop these closures becoming a reality.
Brendan McGrath called out Mr Pearce and said: “So much for your promises to save the services in the High Peak.
“I thought Labour was going to fix the NHS or are you still blaming the Tories for everything?
“We are sold down the river yet again.”
County Councillor Melandra Smith - Buxton North and East said: “Thought you were talking to your party about a new hospital hub - that hasn't ended well.
“Macclesfield is too far away from Buxton for people with medical emergencies - I know, I have done the trip twice in an ambulance. Stepping Hill is even worse.
“And our population is growing, not reducing - not just here in Buxton but in all the surrounding towns and cities.”
Defending Mr Pearce Nicole Roe said: “This has nothing to do with Pearce. It needs a review of what appointments are taking place in Stockport and Macc and can they be in Buxton instead and what the price of it would be.
“The NHS is on its knees, rising costs and an aging population has that effect. People expect the world for nothing and then blame whichever party happens to be in power at any given time without actually examining who made the decisions and why.”
Stepping Hill Hospital says fewer people are being referred to Buxton each year, partly due to new care models and partly because Buxton does not provide the full range of diagnostic and clinical services. In a statement issued by the hospital on Friday January, 30 it said: "The great majority of High Peak outpatient appointments are already seen at Stepping Hill Hospital. “Last year, 24,000 High Peak resident appointments were seen at the Stockport site but only 5,000 in Buxton. “High Peak GPs referred 10,500 patients to services at the Stockport site and only 1,500 to the services delivered in Buxton.” Speaking about the care from Buxton Hospitals John Barber said: “My wife who has had Alzheimer's for six years recently had a fall at home and grazed her legs and arms. ”We went to the Cottage to have it dressed and there was a two and a half hours wait. “We went again to have the dressings changed and there was a two hour wait. “The duty nurse advised us to book in at our local surgery to let the practice nurses take over the job. “The earliest I could book was in 19 days. I rang the district nurses and they wouldn't come because she wasn't housebound. “We need more services not less.” Linda Urquhart has been turning down appointments for Chesterfield as they are too far away preferring to wait for a Buxton appointment but says she will struggle once these services are lost.
The issue of loss of services is being discussed at a full High Peak Borough Council meeting on Thursday February, 26 with councillors asked to formally oppose the plans.