NHS Dorset have today published an independent report into how the proposals and subsequent decisions detailed in the Clinical Services Review (CSR) could impact on emergency transport in the county.
Dorset Clinical Services Review: Modelling the Potential Impact on the Emergency Ambulance Service has been produced by South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT) and analyses nearly 22,000 patient records, detailing what the impact on services could be across three areas:
- Maternity Services
- Emergency transfers (adults)
- Emergency transfers (children)
The report concluded that if the CSR proposals are implemented then the average emergency journey times will remain similar to those undertaken at present and for many patients, journey times will be shorter. In addition, there will be a large reduction in patient transfers between hospitals in East Dorset and this will improve journey times and patient safety. Numbers of hospital transfers in East Dorset are currently the highest in the South West.
To accompany the report, the CCG has made a short animation available. Produced in conjunction with SWASFT, Emergency Travel addresses some of the common concerns that were raised in the public consultation phase of the CSR, explaining how emergency transport works currently and how this could improve in the future.
Tim Goodson, Chief Officer of NHS Dorset CCG, said: “We hope that this report reassures people that these proposals are designed to ensure that people get the best possible care and that we are focusing on getting the best outcomes for people in Dorset who will be using these services in future. This report demonstrates that, through public consultation, we have listened to those people who expressed their concerns about having to travel further or for longer to get emergency care.”