Who will pick up the bill for Surrey Community Health Care

1.14.48pm GMT Mon 11th Jan 2010

As Surrey Health continues to close community hospital beds in Surrey Sue Doughty has been asking questions about the future care of the patients. She said " Surrey County Council's Adult Services are struggling to reduce their projected overspend of £7.4 million down to £0.9 million. With more cost heading their way resulting from closing community beds I cannot see how Surrey will be able to pick up the bill."

Surrey's Adult Services are one of the worst performing departments in the country according to Care watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

Sue's concerns also reflect a possible future Conservative Government. She said "I'm really concerned that if the Tories want to direct health care to less affluent areas we will see real problems in Surrey with further cuts to health care and in particular community health.

Community Hospital Beds which are needed for good nursing care, but totally inadequate services being provided by the County Council. "It will be the vulnerable, the sick, and those who also have complex psychiatric needs who could really get forgotten here. Life could get very bleak for them and their carers."

Local Health campaigners are concerned that the closure of community beds in a number of hospitals in Surrey cannot be supported by Surrey County Council and take little account of care needs locally. Sue said

"Although health care improved in recent years, there are times when people need good nursing care, away from an acute hospital with all the risks of infections which there are. Taking these facilities away is not a good step."

The situation could however change if Surrey Health decide to take into account local views on the closures. Sue said "The process of closure of the 14 beds at Cranleigh Hospital has set a dangerous precedent in Surrey . Although the beds closed for alleged financial reasons, it is a fact that all consultation related to this closure has been deeply flawed, leading to unsafe recommendations. The public must be consulted but questions must be clear and specific, not woolly and misleading."

ENDS

Notes for Editors

• In December 2009 the Care Quality Commission rated the care services provided by Surrey County Council as "adequate" - the lowest rating awarded to Adult Services this year, shared only by another seven Councils in the country. According to their report, Surrey is still in need of special measures and the Council will be closely monitored by the Government to make sure services improve.

• From the Care Quality Commission Report:

Outcome 4: Increased choice and control

The council is performing: Adequately

What the council does well.

The council has developed self-directed support services

The council is exploring self-directed support with partners in Health for people with long-term conditions

There has been a significant overall increase in direct payments

What the council needs to improve.

Assessments should be managed more effectively to ensure that people are not disadvantaged by delays in accessing services

The council should ensure that once people's needs are assessed, there is timely provision of care packages

The council should explore ways to increase the options for people who use services so there is a greater choice in housing options to enable independent living.

• Surrey Health meets tomorrow, January 12th and will discuss the closure of community care beds