Poots backs cutbacks at Castlewellan clinic

Poots backs cutbacks at Castlewellan clinic

26 February 2014

HEALTH Minister Edwin Poots has rejected claims that a reduction in administration services at a community clinic in Castlewellan will impact on patients.

Last month, the South Eastern Trust withdrew afternoon administration cover from the clinic located at the Newcastle Road.

Staff are available in Castlewellan to deal with enquiries from 9am until 1pm, with calls between 1pm and 5pm transferred to personnel based at the Trust’s clinic in Newcastle.

Down councillors recently discussed the issue and wrote to Mr. Poots, urging him to overturn the decision, suggesting the move was financially driven and would impact on patients.

In addition, councillors expressed concern that the absence of cover in the afternoon could allow people to walk unchallenged into the Castlewellan clinic. They also feared admin cover at other community clinics across the district could be reduced.

In a letter issued on behalf of Mr. Poots by a senior official at the Department of Health, members of Down Council’s Health Committee were told last week that the Minister has been informed by the South Eastern Trust that professional staff holding clinics in Castlewellan in the afternoon will provide a meet and greet service.

The letter also confirmed that key pads have been fitted to all clinical doors in the Castlewellan building, with Trust officials not envisaging any security issue.

The letter adds: “The Trust does not feel that the quality of the service provided will be impaired in any way by the lack of administration staff in Castlewellan in the afternoon.”

Councillor Stephen Burns said plans for the future of health care outlined in the Compton Review were designed to put the patient at the centre. He said removing afternoon admin cover from the health clinic in Castlewellan would not achieve this.

“What is being proposed is totally impracticable and must be challenged. What concerns me is that we could be witnessing a policy that could be replicated at other clinics across our district,” he added.

Councillor Walter Lyons described the Trust decision as “astounding” and suggested it’s evidence of the further erosion of front line health services.