The results are in from a REACH survey launched last September that asked members of the public for their views on the crucial issues at the heart of the “Fit for the Future” engagement exercise. The REACH survey was completed by over 2,100 people and the results (which are contained in full in Editor’s Notes below) highlights are:
93.71% of respondents either don’t support or fully oppose the proposals to create only one Accident and Emergency Unit (a Centre of Excellence), in Gloucestershire, based at Gloucestershire Royal.
95.62% of respondents either don’t support or fully oppose the proposals to replace the current Cheltenham Accident and Emergency Department with a Centre staffed by non-specialist doctors with limited diagnostic and assessment services.
NOTE – At 6.15pm on the 25th October the Trust confirmed that there will be no changes to the A&E at Cheltenham and that a Type 1 A&E capable of responding to blue light emergencies will continue to operate.
90.63% of respondents either don’t support or fully oppose the proposal to reduce the number and range of surgical services at Cheltenham General Hospital and concentrate them at Gloucester Royal.
80.22% of respondents either don’t support or fully oppose the Trust’s ideas for making patients themselves responsible for deciding what is “urgent” and what is an “emergency”? To put this figure into perspective only 6.58% either supported or fully supported the idea.
Michael Ratcliffe, Chairman of REACH commented:
“We are absolutely delighted at the number of people who completed our survey and it is clear they are a ringing endorsement of Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust decision not to make any changes to the A&E services at Cheltenham General Hospital. The survey results also amply demonstrate the strength of public feeling about protecting the number and range of surgical services at Cheltenham General Hospital which is an area that greatly concerns REACH”.
Chris Hickey, Spokesperson for REACH added:
“We have previously made quite public our concerns that the “Fit for the Future” document could give a misleading impression. We were equally concerned however that the official survey launched by One Gloucestershire was flawed and which is why we launched our own survey.
“Crucially our questions gave respondents the ability to reflect the extent to which they support or oppose each point raised. The response to the survey has been fantastic and the results could not be more clear cut. We will be sharing these results in full with One Gloucestershire and also strongly urging them to fully take account of these views as part of their engagement process”.
Editor’s Notes
1. Background to REACH
The REACH (Restore Emergency At Cheltenham General Hospital) campaign was launched by Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce, and it is now working with local businesses, local residents and other campaign groups to achieve the following objective:
“To have a fully functioning, fully staffed A&E Department operating 24/7 re-instated at Cheltenham General Hospital, which serves a population of more than 200,000 in Cheltenham, Tewkesbury Borough and the North Cotswolds, at the earliest possible opportunity.”
The focus of the REACH campaign is, as the title suggests, to secure the re-establishment of a full 24/7 Accident and Emergency department at Cheltenham General Hospital. The campaign is keeping a watching brief on the related A&E services: the 111 phone line; ambulance provision; and the out of GP hours service. All of these appear to be under pressure and all impact on the quality of response to patients at times of acute needs.
REACH is also committed to keeping Cheltenham Hospital a General Hospital with comprehensive services for the local population of Gloucestershire.
2. Survey results in full.
There were 2,135 responses to the survey.
Question 1. The Trust wants to create ONLY one Accident and Emergency Unit (A Centre of Excellence) in Gloucestershire based at Gloucestershire Royal. Which of the following best describes your views on this proposal?
Fully support – 3.15%
Support – 1.03%
Neutral – 2.11%
Don’t support – 16.64%
Fully oppose – 77.07%
Question 2. The Trust wants to replace the current Cheltenham Accident and Emergency Department with a Centre staffed by non-specialist doctors with limited diagnostic and assessment services. Which of the following best describes your views on this proposal?
Fully support – 1.60%
Support – 0.71%
Neutral – 2.07%
Don’t support – 17.23%
Fully oppose – 78.39%
Question 3. The Trust want to REDUCE the number and range of surgical services at Cheltenham General Hospital and concentrate them at Gloucester Royal. Which of the following best describes your views on this proposal?
Fully support – 1.69%
Support – 1.46%
Neutral – 6.21%
Don’t support – 17.75%
Fully oppose – 72.88%
Question 4. What do you think about the Trust’s ideas for making patients themselves responsible for deciding what is “urgent” and what is an “emergency”? Which of the following best describes your views on this?
Fully support – 2.21%
Support – 4.37%
Neutral – 13.21%
Don’t support – 27.87%
Fully oppose – 52.35%