Questions over plans for Chichester's St Richard's Hospital

Residents have had their first chance to quiz the team behind plans for creating an NHS Foundation Trust in the area next summer.

After huge criticism of the Fit For the Future review surrounding the fate of St Richard’s and Worthing hospitals, its managers have vowed to retain major services at both centres as its bid for enhanced status takes a step forward.

Key improvements to be unveiled as part of qualifying as a trust include restoration of dedicated eye surgery facilities at Chichester, orthopedic surgery capability at Worthing and increased breast screening programme for women aged 47 or over.

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Innovative forms of ‘enhanced recovery treatment’ being developed will also reduce time spent in the hospitals will almost halve after operations. Plans are also in place to work more closely with GP’s to avoid unnecessary admissions to hospital.

The first of a series of public consultations planned in West Sussex drew a cautiously optimistic response from the audience. A number of issues were raised by those attending. One resident at the Assembly Rooms meeting in Chichester expressed concern over recent cases of MRSA at St Richard’s Hospital – which the hospital responded to as being of core importance in tackling to further its bid process.

Foundation Trust bid director Giles Peel believed gaining the new status would make a huge difference. He said: “Since our hospitals came together 18 months ago we have achieved a lot. We now employ 6,200 staff and manage a budget of £340m and are able to manage our hospitals and resources with greater flexibility.

“If we become a foundation trust there will be an independent regulator of our performance and we will have greater freedom to become more financially independent.”

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He stressed that under foundation trust there would be greater accountability with an board of governors drawn from the public.

The hospital is inviting residents to become members of the trust. Visit www.westsussexhospitals.nhs.uk for more information.