In early November 2024, we started talking to colleagues about some proposed changes to our bed configuration. These changes were planned at FGH and WGH initially with plans for the RLI to be discussed as we moved into 2025.
The plans were developed by our clinical Care Groups and aimed to resolve several key issues, including:
- We don’t currently admit all our patients to the right bed or the right clinical team, which impacts on patients and colleagues caring for them
- Inpatients are transferred between wards, sometimes more than once, for non-clinical reasons
- Colleague experience is not what we would wish, with colleagues telling us that they feel overstretched by having patients scattered across the hospital
- Patients suffer poorer outcomes, for example: increased length of stay, corridor care, and sometimes avoidable harm
- Development of a holistic model of care that aims to keep well for longer and therefore avoids hospital admissions
Since the plans were launched, we have been speaking to colleagues as part of the usual Trust management of change process - with formal consultation closing for all areas on or before 17 December 2024.
Feedback received
We want to say a huge thank you to all colleagues who took the time to attend briefing sessions and let us know their thoughts, concerns and feedback. We’ve also been listening to feedback from key stakeholders, patients and members of the public.
All the feedback received has been reviewed in full and considered alongside the proposed plans. As a result of all you have told us, we have made some important changes to the initial plans. The final plans (incorporating feedback) can be found here: Proposed changes to bed configuration
Next steps / have your say
We made a commitment to come back out to colleagues with the revised and final plans to make sure that we heard correctly and have addressed all the concerns that were raised. This part of the process has started and ends on Friday 10 January 2025. During this time, we want to hear from colleagues about the final plans.
Those that are directly impacted by the changes will be engaged with directly, but we also want to hear from all colleagues. We held some face-to-face executive-led engagement sessions at FGH yesterday (as it is the most affected site initially) and would like to thank all colleagues that took the time to come and talk to us. If you were unable to attend the sessions, we did record the Teams session and this is available on the intranet to watch back at a time that suits you.
Engaging with key stakeholders
Unless any new feedback we receive means we need to re-look at the final plans, the next step in the process is for us to approach Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care Board (ICB) as commissioners for their final consideration. The ICB will then work with NHS England, the local Health Adult Scrutiny Committee and the Trust to determine the appropriate process and whether there is a requirement for public consultation.
We will also engage with and MPs and other key stakeholders and share with our local communities to ensure they are fully updated and aware of the final plans and next steps.
No changes will be made until this process has been completed.
Potential changes at the RLI
As we previously discussed with colleagues, we need to see a sustained reduction in NMC2R patients before we will be able to plan potential changes at the RLI. As soon as we are able to do this, we will come and talk to colleagues face to face.
We know that there is a lot of information here, but we felt it was important to share what we heard and how our plans have changed as a result. As we have said previously, these changes are not about downgrading or disinvesting in services. We remain committed to the future of each of our hospitals, but we can’t continue to operate in the way we are now. We need to change and use our hospital beds in the best way so we can make real improvements to the services we deliver.
We will keep you updated as we move through the process.
Aaron Cummins, Chief Executive
Chris Adcock, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive
Miss Jane McNicholas, Chief Medical Officer
Tabetha Darmon, Chief Nursing Officer
Scott McLean, Chief Operating Officer
Ali Balson, Chief People Officer
Sarah Hauxwell, Interim Director of Governance and Assurance