THE IMPORTANCE OF THORNBURY HOSPITAL
 

From Councillor Terry Ray, Thornbury Town Council
 

"Although it is predominantly a rural area, the Severn Vale area of South Glos. currently houses somewhere around 30,000 people (and who knows what the Regional Spatial Strategy might recommend for 2026?). Given this population, it is absolutely unbelievable that plans should be under discussion to close down Thornbury Hospital and instead to rely on the 2 major hospitals in Bristol (soon to become one?) to cater for all the needs of local people.

"Medicine is not a service that is delivered solely by high-tech diagnostic equipment and highly-specialist medical teams, far from it. After the initial Consultant-led assessment and diagnosis, most of the healing is done by the passage of time in a clean, caring environment with encouragement and support from professional care staff and the close support of family, friends and visitors. So, if the latter did not already exist you would be seeking to establish facilities such as Thornbury Hospital – it would help to clear “bed blockers” at the major hospitals and thus contribute towards reducing in-patient waiting lists; early dispersal to quieter, less-intensive units, with more time for care and cleanliness might also help to combat MRSA infection – everybody wins. Respite care beds, and longer term nursing beds to meet the needs of seriously ill patients are already highly regarded in Thornbury, and yet, you are threatening to close Thornbury Hospital, it’s absolute madness!

"I cannot argue against improving diagnostic services for the elderly mentally ill by a short stay at Blackberry Hill, but the patient’s return, as soon as possible, to a local intermediate care bed is both practical and necessary for the speedy return to good health and careful preparation for life back with family or in the community, again Thornbury Hospital is ideal.

"Far from closing it down, you should be seeking to expand the services at Thornbury to make the most efficient use of the site and the staff. A minor injuries unit, open until, say 9.00 pm, is crucial to this development with nurse practitioners backed by the local GPs able to diagnose and stitch minor cuts and scrapes without the long and completely unnecessary journey and long wait at the already overstressed major regional casualty unit. Small X-ray equipment with a permanent radiographer on duty, should be available, at least during the working day, so minor fractures can be treated locally. An ambulance should be based on the site to take the more seriously injured to the regional casualty dept without delay, and this would also be available to respond more quickly to incidents, strokes, cardiac arrests etc. in the north of Severn Vale than is possible with the Almondsbury based service.

"Then there is out-of-hours GP service. The changes in the GP contract are already causing difficulties and the booking system for an appointment in at least one of the Thornbury GP Practices is causing grave concern. With the proposed Thornbury Hospital minor injuries unit open until 9.00 pm, it should be relatively simple to provide an out-of-hours GP service staffed by doctors at the minor injuries unit up to 9.00pm for anybody with an urgent health problem who couldn’t wait for a week to get good medical advice – ringing NHS Direct is not the same. Who knows, some GPs at Thornbury Health Centre might relish taking on extra responsibilities and developing a specialist interest in work in a small independent minor injuries unit.

"So, I appeal to you, think again. There are opportunities for the health service in South Glos. which must not be ignored. You are the servants of the community; you can make a difference by providing high quality care, on an appropriate scale, in a local setting – and the patients and their loved ones will thank you for your thoughtfulness and foresight."

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