Mum in labour told to walk home

[polly]

Originally Posted by garinda

Because people who might need urgent medical treatment might die, while ambulances, and their trained staff, ferry non-urgent cases to and from hospital, is reason enough in my book.

I'm sure we could all have an ambulance at our disposal 24/7 if we all paid more tax. Not really sound economics though, and I'm sure the money would be better spent on treating actual illnesses, rather than funding a massive fleet of big white taxis, with a flashing blue light on top.

I doubt that we have a 'massive fleet' of ambulances, not with all the cutbacks the NHS haS suffered.

[garinda]

Originally Posted by polly

I doubt that we have a 'massive fleet' of ambulances, not with all the cutbacks the NHS haS suffered.

We don't.

That's why I said we'd need a massive fleet of ambulances if people were going to use them as cabs.

[lettie]

Originally Posted by derekgas

Same in Bury Neil since they built houses on the old bury general site, now emergency trips have to be taken along the most congested single track road in bury to get to fairfield, as far as labour unit is concerned though, this has always been at fairfield.

Fairfield Labour Ward closes at the drop of a hat and often divert their women to other units. East Lancs sees their fair share of the women who are supposed to be delivering at Fairfield. If they are not careful at Fairfield, they will end up closing for good, as the Government will say that if they can close as often as they do, they don't need the service.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by lettie

If they are not careful at Fairfield, they will end up closing for good, as the Government will say that if they can close as often as they do, they don't need the service.

Isn't that just the case?

Why do they close so often?

[lettie]

Originally Posted by Neil

Isn't that just the case?

Why do they close so often?

As far as I know it is a staffing issue, not enough midwives to look after the women. East Lancs are usually alerted when Fairfield close because we get their women coming to Blackburn or Burnley, sometimes unexpectedly. Blackburn and Burnley only ever close when they are full to capacity and never both close at the same time. Because they are one Trust now, patients can be transferred to the one which is open. When you book to have a baby now in this area, you book at East Lancs so may use either hospital, although we will always try to accommodate you at the hospital of your choice.