Health Secretary Wes Streeting has reassured MP Michelle Scrogham that she will be able to meet NHS commissioners proposing to change the way emergency care is offered at Barrow’s Furness General Hospital.
The minister was responding to a question raised in Parliament’s health and social care session this lunchtime by Mrs Scrogham, who represents Barrow and Furness.
She said there was great concern locally over plans announced last week by health bosses who are looking to follow recommendations to permanently stop offering the highest level of critical care at Furness General Hospital.
She told the Commons more than 10,000 people had signed a petition calling for the change not to happen.
Level 3 intensive care was suspended at the hospital in September due to issues with recruiting qualified and experienced staff. It had only three permanent consultants in post against a national guidance requirement of eight.
The three levels of adult intensive care are defined by the intensity of organ support and monitoring required.
Level 1 is for patients at risk of their condition deteriorating, requiring additional support and monitoring on a regular ward.
Level 2, also known as high dependency, provides support for a single failing organ system or post-operative care.
Level 3, the most intensive level, involves support for two or more failing organ systems, including mechanical ventilation
While the temporary change has been in place, patients who require Level 3 critical care were transferred to Royal Lancaster Infirmary, once stabilised.
Patients who needed levels 1 and 2 critical care continued to be treated and cared for at the hospital in Barrow.
Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, the commissioners of the service, said since the suspension of Level 3 at FGH, there were 30 patients over a six-month period who have been transferred to a different provider, 10 of whom would have been transferred even if there had been a Level 3 unit at FGH due to their clinical needs, and there had been no adverse outcomes.
In a post on Facebook today, Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board, which commissions services, said: “We are aware of some misinformation that is circulating about our recent announcement regarding the intensive care unit at Furness General Hospital.
“We would like to reassure the population of South Cumbria that they will not be losing access to critical care. It will just operate differently.
Patients requiring Level 2 and Level 1 intensive care will continue to be treated at Furness General Hospital.
“Patients requiring Level 3 intensive care will still be seen at Furness General Hospital, but they will be treated and then stabilised.
“Once they are stabilised, they will be safely transferred to Royal Lancaster Infirmary or another appropriate provider. Once the patient no longer needs Level 3 care, they will be return to Furness General Hospital for their ongoing care.
“Transferring patients to other hospital sites has been going on for many years as patients sometimes need specialist care elsewhere.
“We understand that change can be worrying, but this decision entirely focuses on patient safety.
