I rarely post on my own account, but I am really, really angry... Rotherham had (yes, past tense) a unique, purpose built respiratory unit where all we folk with respiratory problems could go; it had 20 in-patient beds and gave superb care. The staff there dragged me back to life a couple of times.
Last week, in total secrecy -- very cloak and dagger stuff -- the in-patient unit was closed and all the staff were shipped up to the District General where an new respiratory ward has opened. There weren't enough suitably trained specialist staff there -- so BreathingSpace is now a thing of the past.
I don't know how to express my anger. I suppose it's the old story: if there's something excellent which works -- get rid of it and provide something less useful. Bah!!!
Apologies for the rant.
Catnip
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Catnip
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I agree with you it's disgusting, we have a right to good care, but it's the same here in Bassetlaw, close the unit and ship them off to Doncaster, where by the way I flatly refuse to go. Have a lovely day and take care of yourself 😊 Bernadette xx
Don’t apologise Catnip, it’s a disgrace! We don’t have anything like that here but politicians have tried, and failed, to close one of two hospitals. A local hospital was supposed to have been built but that plan was shelved.
I really feel your anger and don’t blame you one bit. Xxxxx
Catnip - whilst understanding your concern, there may be reasons for this in addition to financial ones. The unit is off site from the main hospital, run by nurses and does not have a resident doctor 24/7. There are no on site facilities eg x-ray, laboratory, ITU. The nurses on there are qualified but they do not hold a medical degree. Staffing problems have existed for a long time and may, in part be due to the enormous responsibility they are expected to carry.
Thanks, Bella. Your post sounds as though it's justifying this disaster!
I've been a patient at BreathingSpace ever since it opened, 11 years ago. "Very ill patients" always went to the hospital. I was admitted on one occasion and I said "never again". Nobody checked my SATs, or told me how many litres of oxygen I should be on: " pick a number, any number". No check on CO2 levels, no check on type 2 respiratory failure. The nurse in charge hadn't a clue what she was doing...
The DGH report from CQC was pretty abysmal but BS's report was "excellent" or "outstanding" across the board. Of course it's financial -- and the DGH has been desperate to close the place ever since it got its hands on it.
It is such a pity that we can't improve to the best, but always have to sink to the lowest standards.
I am not 'justifying' this, merely pointing out that there may be factors in the decision of which we are unaware. All respiratory patients deserve to have on site medical cover and facilities. They closed the entire upper level (10 beds) a year or two ago. It was because they can’t get staff - ask yourself why that is.
I think we will have to agree to disagree, Bella. Such a unique, successful place is needed. It was a flagship for respiratory care; more were to follow this pilot -- but didn't. All those who needed more were sent to the District General.
Yes, the top floor was closed: two staff pregnancies, another with a triple fracture of her leg and one with a terminally ill husband, all at the same time.
Next time I'm ill, I'll die quietly at home. I'm not risking it in the District General.
The medical director was replaced immediately. I attended the interviews. The respiratory consultant was also replaced.
Where surgery was an option, BS staff pushed for we patients to be considered by the Northern General. I went for valve implants. The Clinical Director of BS was eager to keep links with the surgeon. That won't continue.
I really can't see that BS had no medical insurance. Whenever specialist services were needed, such as X-rays, patients were sent up to the hospital on an "immediate" appointment.
Closing down BreathingSpace is another sign of the decline of a dying town. Find something good, positive and excellent -- shut it.
Oh my Catnip that is truly awful and you have every right to be angry. And the fact that it was kept under wraps with no warning is not fair to the patients who depend on that respiratory unit. I'm so sorry for you and all those who depend on it. *HUG* xx 🌿
Here at Scunthorpe I have nothing but praise for our health authority. I am originally from your area but would not move back.They have given my wife back to me on 3 occasions, for which I will be forever grateful.
Catnip - just want to say that I am sympathetic to your views and although my experience is not as positive as yours, I too am sorry to see the inpatient beds closed. We don't yet know if the HA has any future plans for the unit. I hope that there is one. It would be useful for step down and respite because this has the potential for reducing frequent admissions.
The HA stopped direct admissions last year and since then all patients have had to be taken to A&E to be assessed by a doctor. Presumably they were uneasy with the lack of medical cover and facilities at Breathing Space.
Rumours have abounded about the unit and it was mentioned in the local press some months ago. I guess that many people will not be surprised by this move. The speed at which it has been done is possibly due to staffing issues but I don't know for sure. At least they have provided an alternative within the borough which is not always the case with some health authorities.
As you don’t want to use the RDGH and are a patient of the NGH could you ask to have your ongoing treatment transferred there? Their respiratory unit is excellent, as you probably already know. I was told that a number of patients did this following the resignation of the previous consultant, particularly those who reside on the borders.
There was a "first consultation" of "stakeholders" at the District General in February, to decide how to implement the new Respiratory Pathway. I was there, came back to BS and told a number of people, and the press that the Health Authority was going to close BreathingSpace. The reporter was told "There was no plan to close BreathingSpace ". What a whopper. There have been no further meetings to my knowledge.
After that things began to change at BreathingSpace: no more samples there, no more direct admissions. Staff sworn to secrecy following meetings -- don't let the patients know. All equipment sent to the new respiratory ward at the DGH (it had none of the required things). One physio and one nurse were appointed -- then it opened. All this in the space of three months.
I'm back there today and will find out the latest disastrous decisions. Maybe. It's the old story -- everything is like water: it runs down to the level of the lowest.
Thank you for the information. They denied it would close but it seemed inevitable. Yes, the thread is exhausted. Nothing to be done about it. Hope that you stay well Catnip and don’t need the RDGH ward.
Just an update on this closure. The health authority is looking to improve respiratory services in the area. They have commissioned an online survey, asking patients for their opinions and needs. Three one hour meetings have been scheduled at Breathing Space for patients to attend and forward their concerns.
One of the things that is hopefully beginning in March 2020 is a domiciliary respiratory team which will provide intensive care at home and has the potential for preventing hospital admissions.
The original purpose of the unit was for respite/step down and they are talking about reopening the inpatient beds for these purposes. One of the problems in achieving this is staffing shortages so that needs to be addressed.
I've attended two of the three meetings -- I won't bother with today's because they are saying the same thing. The CCG isn't interested in what patients think; the meetings merely announce what will be done.
The CCG is "hoping" to appoint four community nurses for the whole metropolitan area to provide a home-care service. So far, no mention has been made of reopening the beds.
BreathingSpace was established as a centre for treating COPD, not every lung disease imaginable. The staff were all specialist respiratory nurses. Cancer, diabetes, heart failure plus a chest infection was outside their remit. The hospital sent down unsuitable patients, creating a dangerous situation for patients and staff alike.
I despair of the District General. Even the new "designated" respiratory ward has non-respiratory patients: a bed is a bed is a bed.
I had assumed that the three meetings had an identical agenda to enable people to choose a date and time that was convenient to them.
Today there was someone present who is at managerial level and responsible for recruitment. He said that the beds at Breathing Space would be opened again if they could get the staff. They are trying, advertising overseas in fact. He said that recruiting for community is easier than for hospital based jobs.
The speakers talked of the need to keep patients at home and the reasons for it. Regarding the community respiratory team, I only remember that their hours will be 8am to 8pm, seven days a week.
Re the unit only being for patients with COPD and “not every lung disease imaginable”. I never heard that said to me by any of the staff and the website indicates that there is no discrimination:
“Support to health care services in the management of patients with COPD and other respiratory conditions, including support with early supported discharge and admission avoidance.”
None of the speakers mentioned the role of carers. Keeping patients in their own home is good but it is the carer who will have the burden of care when the staff are long gone. I was often relieved that the unit was there to help my caree but also to give me much needed respite. The speakers took notes but I strongly suspect that this will not figure in their plans. The beds need to be reopened for step down and respite.
I don’t share your pessimistic view of this consultation and am reassured that they are looking at the respiratory services with a view to meeting needs and improving morbidity/mortality. It’s good that they are reaching out to service users and asking them what they need and want to help them improve their lives.
I am very sorry to hear your sad news and sincerely hope that they are wrong about your prognosis. I don't know if I will find out in due course about these changes. My OH is very ill and has had many hospital admissions this year. Every day is a bonus.
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