PRESS STATEMENT 24 February 2002

SPARE A THOUGHT FOR THE HOSPITAL STAFF

Members of West Cornwall HealthWatch, speaking on behalf of the community, have paid tribute to the commitment, professionalism and dedication of hospital staff at both Poltair and West Cornwall Hospitals. Spokesperson Marna Blundy said this week:
"It is hard to imagine the stress and insecurity currently being experienced by hospital staff in these uncertain times. We all know from personal experience of their dedication to patients, and their extremely high standards which are consistently maintained. Time and again patients have contacted us to recount the wonderful care and attention received in these hospitals.

Yet staff are taking a battering from health managers:

• In the Draft Review document relating to West Cornwall Hospital:
  "the current service does not meet minimum professional guidelines…in some areas current levels of service are unsatisfactory and could become unsafe"
  That doesn't sound exactly like a vote of confidence by hospital managers in the work currently taking place there. However, the experience of its patients tells a very different story
• At the District Council meeting held on 6th February:
  "Poltair Hospital does not provide the right environment for the 21st century" (Gina Brocklehurst, Chief Executive, West of Cornwall Primary Care Trust)
  How does that make hard-working nursing staff at Poltair feel?
• In recent press reports about the training of community volunteers in first aid:
  "People living in rural areas are being given training so they can deliver life-saving treatment to their neighbours…."
  In other words, West Cornwall Hospital is not up to standards when it comes to treating emergencies, but volunteers can be trained up in two days to undertake such things. This is such an insult to highly trained professional staff in our hospital.
• We are speaking out because the hospital staff cannot. We also want them to know that this community supports them totally, and values the work that they do. We know that if they are given the right resources, they are more than capable of continuing to serve the west of Cornwall in the way they currently do, and we in conjunction with our colleagues in all the town and district councils, in Parliament and within the League of Friends, will continue to fight for their services to be retained."

We are speaking out because the hospital staff cannot. We also want them to know that this community supports them totally, and values the work that they do. We know that if they are given the right resources, they are more than capable of continuing to serve the west of Cornwall in the way they currently do, and we in conjunction with our colleagues in all the town and district councils, in Parliament and within the League of Friends, will continue to fight for their services to be retained."

Meanwhile, West Cornwall HealthWatch has cautiously welcomed the response of the Cornwall Community Health Council, which met in Penzance last week. The Council resolved that, being aware of its ability to refer the matter to the Secretary of State for Health, it would devote all necessary resources to exploring every option for action. HealthWatch committee member Joe McKenna, who attended the meeting, said later:
"We were heartened by comments made by some members of the Council, who appeared to understand the highly articulate and reasoned arguments being put forward by the many members of the public who attended the meeting. We look for a robust and well-researched response by this Council to the Consultation document when it is finally published."

Co-ordinator: Marna Blundy, 4 Botallack Moor, St Just, PENZANCE, Cornwall TR19 7QH
Tel / Fax 01736 788107
Email: westcornwallhealthwatch@yahoo.co.uk