Hospital boss behind takeover of Stafford services faces protestors
The boss of County Hospital in Stafford has defended a transfer of services to the Royal Stoke Hospital, claiming the level of cover is better than the rest of the country.
University Hospitals of North Midlands Chief Executive Mark Hackett faced fierce criticism from more than 150 protesters who turned up at a public scrutiny meeting to discuss the future of services.
The campaigners are opposing the cuts and transfer of services, which include complicated births and urgent care, from the County Hospital to Royal Stoke University Hospital.
Protesters waved banners and chanted 'give us a bed in Stafford not a trolley in Stoke' and 'patients not profit'.
It was the first time Mr Hackett had appeared before the committee since the Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust was dissolved and the new University Hospitals of North Midlands Trust created on November 1.
When quizzed on how emergency patients would be transferred at the meeting on Monday, Mr Hackett said: "We have two dedicated ambulances 24/7 to safeguard patients from County Hospital. The level of cover between two hospitals is extraordinary in comparison to the rest of the country."
He added: "We are not reducing capacity, we are expanding it. Additional capacity is in place."
Mr Hackett also discussed the controversial cuts to maternity services at the hospital on Weston Road.
He said: "A free standing midwife led unit will be established at Stafford for low risk mothers. We are proud of that."
Mr Hackett also responded to a decision to charge patients and relatives £5 for journeys from Stafford to Stoke.
He said:"We are in a situation where we have to pay for transport. For people on low income or who struggle to pay there are schemes available."
He also revealed the current financial situation of the trust and said: "The hospital is on track with its financial recovery plan."
He added: "You need to judge us on what happens in the next three to six months."
However, after hearing what Mr Hackett had to say, protestor Julian Porter said: "I can't believe a word Mr Hackett says, he is lying on certain points. How can people not understand that when they downgrade the services at Stafford we will all have to funnel into Stoke. How can Mr Hackett not see he has a problem with capacity? He just won't admit it and it's not getting any better it is getting worse each week."
The committee voted to meet again in three months.
