Dozens will lose out if clinic is cut back

Dozens will lose out if clinic is cut back

18 December 2013

DETAILS have emerged of the full impact the decision to reduce the opening hours of Strangford’s community clinic will have on patients.

A two-hour weekly clinic provided in the village by GPs based in Downpatrick is now only available once a fortnight, while a treatment room service staffed by nurses will open for a similar period.

Councillor Gareth Sharvin has revealed the reduction in the treatment room service will result in the number of patients who will be able to use the facility cut by 50 per cent each month.

He has discovered via a Freedom of Information request that around 64 patients would normally use the treatment room over a four-week period. Councillor Sharvin contends that as a result of the facility’s opening hours being reduced to two hours a fortnight, the number of patients who can now been seen by nurses will be slashed in half.

He said the information not only proves the need for the services provided at the Strangford clinic to be enhanced, but places additional pressure on a treatment room operated by GPs at the Downe Hospital.

The local politician, who has raised his concerns with Stormont Health Minister Edwin Poots, is also concerned about the Strangford clinic’s long term future and the fact local people were not consulted by the South Eastern Trust about the reduction in GP and treatment room services.

He continued: “The Strangford clinic provides an important community service and the campaign which has been mounted to retain and enhance its services is gathering increasing momentum,” he explained. “Over 500 people have signed a petition supporting the clinic and a social media campaign to retain the facility has gone global.”

Councillor Sharvin said his Freedom of Information request revealed an average of eight patients used the treatment room every hour it was open between May and October this year.

“The fact this rural clinic provides a treatment room service for over 60 patients each month is nothing short of outstanding. Given the demand for this service, why is it being reduced?

“Reducing the treatment room’s availability will increase the pressure on this particular service. Many patients in Strangford who use this service are not fit enough to travel to Downpatrick. Those who are but don’t have access to a car, will have to take two buses to get to the treatment room at the Downe.”

Councillor Sharvin said he has forwarded copies of the petition in support of expanding the services at the clinic to Mr. Poots. He confirmed he is seeking a meeting with the Minister and will be joined by people who use the Strangford clinic.

Councillor Sharvin has also delivered copies of the petition to South Eastern Trust chief executive, Mr. Hugh McCaughey, urging the organisation to review its decision to reduce the opening hours of the treatment room in Strangford.

He added: “I have asked the Trust to consult on the issue with local people and organise a public meeting to provide service users with an opportunity to air their views. Health chiefs must listen to what people are saying.”