Back in April we sent some questions, forwarded to us by readers on a range of issues relating to praxis at Dorset County Hospital, to the Chief Executive. Yesterday we received these replies.
1. What cut back backs are proposed and where does that leave staffing levels; surgery etc?
The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group is leading Dorset’s Clinical Services Review and you can find out more on their dedicated website: https://www.dorsetsvision.nhs.uk/
2. Why are there so many in the top management levels and a shortage of nursing staff at the front line?
Our ratio of managers to front line staff is actually low compared to other NHS organisations. We have a programme of recruitment for nursing vacancies which is going well.
3. Would bringing back Matrons and getting rid of middle management be a good idea?
We already have matrons at DCH who are in charge of each clinical area of the hospital.
4. DCH performed well last year in meeting its A&E waiting time’s target. So far this year it has missed the target every week, and is now in the bottom half of the country’s table on this measure. In January the Echo reported: “Mrs Miller is confident the target can be reached for the first quarter of 2015.” What went wrong?
As with acute hospitals across the country, the winter period saw unprecedented pressures with high numbers of emergency patients. DCH is now meeting the A&E waiting targets.
5. How much is currently being spent on locum doctors and agency nurses? How does this compare with the recent past?
You can find details on agency spend in our board papers (performance report) which are available on our public website or if you submit an FOI request for a specific time period this information can be gathered for you. https://www.dchft.nhs.uk/about/trust-board/Pages/Trust-Board-Meetings.aspx
6. Is the inability of many to get quick appointments with their GP’s putting extra pressure upon DCH and other outlying hospitals?
We don’t have data on how quickly patients are able to get appointments with their GPs. Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group may be able to give you some figures.
7. How is the issue of bed blocking being resolved?
We work very closely with our colleagues in social care to ensure patients can be safely discharged in a timely manner.
8. What is your perspective on car parking charges for the hospital car park?
Parking charges are in place for visitors and staff and there have been no rises in charges for several years now. Patients who have to attend regularly for appointments (such as chemotherapy and renal) have dedicated free parking spaces. Concessions are also available in other circumstances so patients/visitors should liaise with the ward/department they are visiting.
Data for Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
