Outgoing health chief: single hospital ‘ideal’
ORMSKIRK and Southport hospitals need £30m just to bring them up to scratch - which is why demolishing both and building a brand new hospital in their place is the ideal option.
That is the view of departing Southport & Ormskirk NHS Trust chief executive Silas Nicholls, who is leaving his role to take over at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust.
The NHS boss revealed his views during a meeting with local Labour representatives before leaving his post.
Mr Nicholls dismissed rumours of there being any plans to relocate to Skelmersdale, or that there was any immediate threat to either hospital or their A&E.
He says the organisation he leaves at the end of this month is in a far more secure position than when he took the role, thanks to the hard work of staff and management, but warns of challenges ahead.
Pointing to real improvements in areas like A&E and administration, he says these are just the first steps in a much wider series of changes that are required, with long-term structural problems being the biggest obstacle to overcome.
Mr Nicholls said: “The actual fabric of the trust’s two hospital sites is a major concern that cannot be underestimated.
“Southport and Ormskirk hospitals need some £30m-plus spending on them just to bring both up to scratch, which is why ultimately we believe a single site new-build would be the best option, if it were possible.
“Sadly, we have not been given the required funding to either revamp the two sites or rebuild afresh by the Government and in the current conditions, I can’t see that happening any time soon.
“So, there will still be plenty for the new chief executive and our excellent staff to contend with.”
Mr Nicholls also made clear that those claiming the hospital was currently under threat or could be moved outside the area were undermining the trust’s efforts at local recruitment: “Staffing is a real problem in the NHS and we have been working very hard here to try and recruit locally to combat that.
“When scare stories of closure or moving to other areas are touted, it adds confusion and uncertainty to both patients, staff and potential employees. Who is going to take a job that they think is already under threat? It’s just nonsense to rumourmonger about moving to places like Skelmersdale and very counter-productive.”
Despite recent improvements, the trust chief admits that the town’s A&E unit still faces significant pressures, which is why he also backs Labour’s campaign for a walkin centre for Southport.
He said: “I think it would help ease the burden considerably to have a Southport walk-in centre, in addition to the A&E.
“I know that the local CCG has its own funding issues, but I also know what would help our A&E here, so I wish the campaign for the walk-in centre every success.”
Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Southport, Liz Savage, believes the trust is losing a valuable asset in the outgoing chief. She said: “Thanks to his efforts and those of the fantastic staff, things have improved in some areas, but they clearly need significant backing by the government to operate properly.
“If they ever do receive funding for a reorganisation of services, Southport must not lose out and we have made clear we would fight any loss or proposal to move the hospital out of the area, tooth and nail.
“We look forward to working with the incoming chief executive, Trish Armstrong-Child, as openly and constructively as we have with Silas, who we wish all the best in his new role.”