PROPOSED changes will not mean closure for Portland Community Hospital, NHS Dorset has stressed.

At a public meeting yesterday, the relocation of two services provided at the hospital were revealed.

Elderly medicine consultant clinics will now be provided by Dorset County Hospital if the plans go ahead – a move NHS Dorset said will only affect 13 patients a year.

Paediatric consultant clinics will also be moved out of the hospital and provided elsewhere, affecting approximately 86 children.

John Morton, director of Joint Commissioning and Partnerships, said: “There were some concerns that community hospitals would close as a result of these changes.

“But these changes are relatively small and Portland Community Hospital will not close as a result of them. We have got a plan to cover the paediatric services and the number of older people affected is very small.”

Mr Morton explained that the trust, which is allocated £600million a year, does not provide any services, but contracts to a number of providers.

He said that it is NHS Dorset’s responsibility to ensure tax payers’ money is being spent in the best possible way.

He said: “The World Health Organisation has done research which shows that by 2050, 50 percent of the gross national product in the country will be spent on healthcare and that is not viable.

“What we need to do is invest in community health so that we can support people with long-term conditions in their homes.

“If there was a GP here, they would tell you that they provide 90 per cent of services but most of the money invested in the NHS is going into secondary care.

“Between January and April, nurses will begin to work until 10pm and at weekends.

“The changes are making significant increases and to make sure these services are available to people in the community.

“A significant number of Dorset County Hospital patients are out in the community and the hospital is left with empty beds that it is paying for whilst also paying for staff out in the community. And Dorset County Hospital said to itself: ‘This can’t carry on.’”

The proposed changes are part of a countywide review of services provided by community hospitals.

Mr Morse, speaking as part of a panel of executives at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, added: “The UK tax payer cannot afford to keep making bigger hospitals. The best rehabilitation for patients is to be in the community and it is our plan to have nurses in the community. Community services are not just about community hospitals. Today we have not told you about cuts, we have told you about investments. There is a very small reduction in services but a massive investment in community health services.”

Residents voiced concerns over accessibility for elderly patients who will be forced to travel to Dorset County Hospital for the service. Andy Hutchings, a patient governor for Dorset County Hospital, said: “Has there been any discussion over accessibility?

“Could elderly care not be provided at Weymouth Community Hospital?”

Ian Triplow, <&bh"http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/search/?search=Dorset+County+Hospital+">Dorset County Hospital<&eh> programme management chief, said: “We are considering which services may be provided at the main site and which we can provide within other locations.

“Discussions are ongoing.”

The planned changes mean a shake-up of consultations for patients who have undergone big treatments.

No changes are proposed for services at Weymouth Community Hospital, but Mr Morton added that Weymouth walk-in clinic may be subject to review.

He said: “There is no change to the service at this present time.”

The proposals are also being discussed by Dorset County Council health scrutiny’s task and finish group. It will report to the health scrutiny committee on April 10.

A SECOND PUBLIC MEETING

A second public meeting on the changes to Bridport Hospital will take place on February 27.

Operating theatre days will be reduced from three to two a week as a result of surgery being relocated to DCH.

Other changes include stopping nurse-led clinics in urology and respiratory, stopping orthoptist clinics for people with eye problems and commissioning the service from another provider, changes to diabetes clinics and stopping nurse and consultant-led colorectal clinics.