WHIPPS CROSS: Diabetes appointments to end

11:26am Wednesday 30th January 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

FEARS have been raised for the future of specialist diabetes services at Whipps Cross University Hospital after plans were revealed to stop outpatient referrals.

Waltham Forest Primary Care Trust (PCT) has confirmed it plans to send all diabetics to community settings for treatment, which will cut the cash-strapped hospital's annual revenue significantly.

Diabetics are concerned they will loose access to the expertise currently available at the Hospital's Gillian Hanson Centre and fear specialist treatment may not be available in the case of an emergency.

The walk-in service at the clinic, described as a lifeline by patients, closed last July.

The PCT say the move is not a money-saving exercise and is part of a general trend to provide more treatment where it is convenient for patients.

But critics insist services at Whipps Cross are already easily accessible to the community.

Julia Thompson, secretary of the Waltham Forest branch of Diabetes UK, says integrated treatment for the complex condition should remain at the hospital.

She said: "If the expertise of the Gillian Hanson Centre specialists is to be lost to diabetics in Waltham Forest that is a matter of deep concern to both diabetics and their relatives and carers.

"We need this expertise at the hospital and available for reference. A&E has to have expertise to call on in case of emergency. If there is not the staff, what happens in the case of an emergency?"

A spokeswoman for the Save Whipps Cross campaign said: "Whilst it makes sense to run outreach specialist clinics in localities in the community that are easy for people to get to, it makes absolutely no sense to remove such facilities from Whipps.

"Whipps is in the heart of the community. The Gillian Hansen centre is yards from a bus stop. Dieticians, specialist nurses, podiatrists are all available to patients through this centre as well as the specialist consultants, with good liaison between them and admin to support the service."

"The patients here in Waltham Forest have already made clear how they value this service and argued strongly against withdrawing of open access."

A spokeswoman for the PCT said: "The diabetes consultants from Whipps Cross Hospital are involved in providing and supporting services provided through GPs and primary care outpatient services in local health centres.

"We have been investing in diabetes services through long term conditions management and as a result only a small number of patients still go to Whipps Cross for their outpatient appointments.

"We are in early discussions with Whipps Cross about moving these outpatient appointments to community settings. Whipps Cross will still provide inpatient and emergency diabetic services where these are required.

"There are approximately 10,000 registered diabetics in Waltham Forest, most of whom receive their care from their GP. No patients will be required to go outside the borough for care that they currently receive in Waltham Forest.

"The strategy to move services closer to people's homes has been supported by local people during discussions."