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Some services have been withdrawn at Fenland hospitals, causing concern as the region already sees high levels of ‘deprivation’ and ‘health inequality’
NHS bosses have said there are no plans to close or cut services at two rural hospitals despite concerns about “neglect” in the area. They acknowledged that services had been withdrawn from North Cambridgeshire Hospital in Wisbech and Doddington Hospital – but said this was only temporary.
Endoscopy services have been moved from Wisbech to King’s Lynn after “serious concerns” were flagged with health bosses saying the decision was made “on the grounds of patient safety”. Doddington Hospital has withdrawn or temporarily suspended breast surgery, dermatology and ear, nose and throat (ENT) clinics due to staffing issues.
Representatives from two trusts – Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust and North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust – were questioned at a council meeting. Cambridgeshire County Council’s Heath Scrutiny Committee called the meeting after concerns were raised around the reduction in services.
A report presented to the committee said Fenland residents see some of the “highest levels of deprivation, health inequality and transport-related barriers to accessing health care in the East of England”. They said there were “no permanent decisions” made on the endoscopy unit and ENT services are planned to be introduced in Doddington over the next six months.
Cllr Dr Haq Nawaz, of Fenland District Council, said he was “quite surprised” they were still assessing population needs.
The Conservative councilor said: “Fenland has been there for decades, or maybe centuries, but for us to leave it so late… I don’t particularly want to use that word, but I can’t think of an alternative – and that is neglect. Fenland has seen quite a bit of neglect.”
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Health bosses rejected claims these service changes were cuts, saying: “It doesn’t necessarily mean the service has been cut, it could mean they’ve been delivered but just in a different location.”
They added that assessments of population needs are carried out “periodically” and not “in anticipation of a single service being changed”.
Cllr Alex Bulat, of St Ives South and Needingworth, said even if services are provided in other places such as King’s Lynn or Hinchingbrooke, residents may not be able to access them.
The employment adviser said: “The question is, if you can no longer access that service, for you as a patient it is a cut – because you can no longer get there.”
Cllr Dr Nawaz asked them if they could confirm or deny reports that the A&E and maternity wards at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Kings Lynn are closing.
They said: “There are no plans to temporarily close anything at this time.”
