Warning of staff shortages in hospital shake-up

CONTROVERSIAL changes at a rural hospital in North Yorkshire could leave services at risk of continuing staff shortages, experts have warned.

Health chiefs have launched a consultation over a programme designed to safeguard the future of Northallerton’s Friarage Hospital for the next 10 to 15 years.

But an independent report by senior clinicians says shortfalls in key staff could still affect the provision of care for local people even after changes are put in place.

Under the plans, an urgent treatment centre will formally replace the hospital’s accident and emergency service which was halted in March amid a staffing crisis that also led to the withdrawal of three critical care beds.

The report for local health chiefs by the Yorkshire and Humber Clinical Senate says the changes are a “step in the right direction towards providing a sustainable future for the Friarage”.

However, it warns the “main risk to your proposal remains the workforce, or rather the lack of it”, particularly in anaesthetics and critical care, and the need to maintain numbers of doctors and nurses required to deliver services.

“The workforce challenges remain a significant concern to the senate,” it says.

The report says assurances are needed that hospitals in Middlesbrough and Darlington can increase staffing to provide additional services for patients requiring critical care amid continuing national specialist shortages.

It also raises concerns over the recruitment of GPs and specialist nurses to the Friarage’s planned urgent treatment centre including “the ability to staff the unit and maintain the staff skills”.

“Whilst this model alleviates some of the staffing pressures, your ability to recruit and maintain the workforce remains the key concern to the senate and is the key risk to the sustainability of your proposal,” it says.

NHS leaders in Hambleton and Richmondshire say their plans will ensure the sustainability of services at the Friarage Hospital for the next 10 to 15 years.

Decisions over the future shape of services are due to be made early next year following a public consultation.

Prior to the changes, fewer than 19,000 patients a year used A&E services at the hospital, the smallest of any unit in England, which is run by South Tees NHS trust.

About nine in 10 patients attending A&E have continued to be seen there. Health chiefs are consulting on two options for the urgent treatment centre to be open 24 hours or closed between midnight and 8am, which would save about £250,000 a year.