City Hospital eye inpatient ward closure proposal sparks concerns from staff and Black Country MP
A crucial eye inpatient ward at City Hospital could shut and move to another site as part of cost cutting measures from the Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust.
Ward staff at the Birmingham Midland Eye Centre (BMEC) have written to Adrian Bailey MP in a bid to block the proposals, which they say will have 'serious consequences' for the wellbeing of patients, who come from all over the country for treatment.
The internationally renowned centre is the second biggest eye hospital in the country and one of the largest in Europe.
The letter, sent on behalf of all nursing staff at the ward, says the proposal was put forward without consultation with staff or patients. It says that workers are said to be suffering with emotional stress as a result of the uncertainty surrounding the site.
However, trust bosses say they have no plans to remove inpatient services - although one proposal could see the ward move to another nearby location at the same Dudley Road site.
Trust medical director, Dr Roger Stedman, said: "The teams within the Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre have been looking at a number of ways to improve the care they can offer to patients.
"We are exploring the potential for patients with eye problems who need to stay overnight in hospital to be cared for in a ward within the Sheldon block that is adjoined to the eye centre.
"This would not affect the treatment that patients receive. We are currently talking to staff who work in this area about this possibility."
West Bromwich West MP Mr Bailey has written to the trust asking for clarification over plans for the unit and the likely implications for eye patients in the Black Country.
He said: "I understand the trust has to be committed to saving money and running this service.
"However, the bottom line is that the service has to be sustained. It is of vital importance. The trust needs to be more transparent in what its plans are for the eye inpatient ward and the subsequent impact on the local community."
The trust has previously announced cutbacks to services at City Hospital in a bid to save more than £30 million. Bosses are set to cut 450 of the 7,500 jobs across the trust, 200 of which are full-time post.
Last month it rubbished claims from a campaign group that NHS cuts could see the closure of the A&E ward at the new £350 million Midland Metropolitan Hospital in Smethwick.
