Information from East Cambs and Fenland Primary Care Trust


News from East Cambs and Fenland PCT

Central Hall
52 – 54 Market Street
Ely, Cambs  
CB7 4LS
Tel No:   01353 654202

Website: www.eastcambsandfenland-pct.nhs.uk


East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care Trust, responsible for providing health services to 147,000 people across East Cambridgeshire and Fenland are planning to develop a ‘Diagnostic & Treatment Centre’ for South Fenland residents.  The Diagnostic & Treatment Centre would incorporate a GP practice, a nurse-led minor injuries service similar to the service provided in Wisbech and Ely, specialist care for people with long term conditions such as diabetes, respiratory disease and heart failure and diagnostic services such as x-ray. A pilot physiotherapy-led rheumatology and orthopaedic service is also planned.   Although waiting times for orthopaedics has reduced there is evidence that early intervention of a physiotherapist may result in a patient not requiring surgery at all.

The PCT has also been discussing links with the Ambulance Service.  The potential advantage of co-locating para-medics with minor injuries and a Diagnostic & Treatment Centre are numerous including the availability of skilled specialist staff.  The decision on whether para-medic services can be located along side the Centre is dependent upon location.  Emergency ambulances have to be able to respond to 75% of all emergency calls within eight minutes and access to major roads is therefore a key consideration.

A site for the new services proposed has been the subject of much debate.  Although March has the largest population and is also best served by public transport from Chatteris and the surrounding villages, Chatteris residents have expressed concerns about the prospect of having to travel to March preferring to have services sited at Doddington or in Chatteris itself.  Residents from March and South Fenland villages have also expressed their support for a central location. 

The current location of the ambulance station in March is not ideal due to traffic congestion and the distance and time required to reach calls in Chatteris.  However, the current Doddington Hospital site would also be a problem in that ambulances would not be able to respond within the government targets.  Detailed analysis of journey times indicates the best location would be as close as possible to the A141.  The other key consideration for site and location is access to the Primary Care services.  The primary care services proposed would replace the current GP practice and access for the residents of Doddington and Wimblington is key. 

The current Doddington hospital site is approximately 9 acres, half of which is currently in use.  A review undertaken by Planning Consultants also indicates that the space within the current buildings is not used efficiently.  The PCT would be able to reinvest any funds released from sale of part of all of the site in the new facility proposed. 

It is clear that local people would prefer the location for any redevelopment to be on the current Doddington Hospital site, however, the PCT is keen not to rule out the option of developing a new South Fenland Diagnostic & Treatment Centre on a new site with good access for the residents of Chatteris and March which would maximise the number of services which could be provided in one centre.  Development of the centre proposed would meet the governments policies on improving access to primary care and one stop services. 

Rehabilitation services (for patients with a stroke, for example) are due to be overhauled and improved.  The number of older people in the South Fenland area is increasing and it is therefore vital that services are developed both to prevent injury and to help people return home after a stay in hospital.  This service would take some time to develop and if successful would eventually replace the current in-patient provision provided at Doddington Hospital.

The South Fenland Services Review identifies a number of opportunities for improving services to local residents including the development of a new specialist Diagnostic & Treatment Centre, specialist rehabilitation and palliative care services.  A Project Team and Project Steering Group have met over several months to develop the proposals.  These were discussed at a Stakeholder Workshop held on the 30 March 2004 at which there was considerable support for the idea of a Primary Care Centre with a minor injuries service.  The Project Steering Group has a wide range of local representation including representatives from Fenland District Council, Chatteris Town Council and GP practices in March and Chatteris.

The PCT intends to launch a consultation on the findings of the South Fenland Services Review before moving forward into a more detailed planning and implementation work. 

ENDS

Contact:
Matthew Smith, Director of Commissioning & Modernisation East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care Trust
Tel:  01353     654230   
Fax: 01353 654205

Or
Sharon Fox, Corporate Services Manager, East Cambridgeshire and Fenland Primary Care Trust
Tel:  01353 654210
Fax: 01353 654205