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LUDLOW COMMUNITY HOSPITAL Proposals for development of a long-term improvement Presented by The League of Friends, Ludlow Community Hospital The Vision The vision is to provide locally the highest possible standards of care by co-locating and developing existing services, providing additional facilities and fully integrating the care services currently provided by the acute, primary, social and voluntary sectors. Introduction Ludlow Community Hospital is a crucial element in providing healthcare facilities to rural South Shropshire. Regrettably the Hospital has suffered over several years from lack of appropriate investment by successive Health Authorities, resulting in a lack of flexibility and poorly structured activities. The consequential threats to the future of the Hospital, ranging from total closure to removal of maternity, elderly mentally infirm and rehabilitation beds, caused The League of Friends to step outside their normal role. From the outset, The League considered a number of alternative options to ensure the sustainability of the Hospital, including the formation of a charitable trust or similar vehicle. A great deal of initial research was carried out, as a result of which and with the support of a vast amount of public opinion, The League proposes significant developments in local healthcare. Proposed Facilities It is proposed that the Hospital should provide: 1. GP and rehabilitation beds -Clee and Stretton Wards There is clear evidence that these two wards operate at optimum occupancy rates, subject to staffing constraints. It is the view of The League that 45 beds should continue to be provided. In the event that the adverse acute hospital bed situation is resolved and satisfactory health and social care pathways are demonstrably able to reduce length of stay and to provide care in the home, it is envisaged that use of these beds will evolve (for instance to provide respite care or income generation). 2. Maternity beds The low-risk maternity unit at Ludlow requires significant investment to provide appropriate accommodation. 3. Secure EMI and other mental health services for the elderly The League continues to challenge the decision to close Whitcliffe Ward. There is clear evidence of the benefits of providing sub-acute EMI care locally and The League would seek to re-establish this secure facility together with co-locating other mental health activities for the elderly within the unit. 4. GP Practices The co-location of Portcullis and Station Road practices within the Hospital site has distinct advantages and is pivotal to the success of these proposals. 5. Minor injuries unit 6. Enhanced X-ray facilities 7. Diagnostics 8. Physio- and other therapies 9. Expanded outpatient services and clinics 10. ShropDoc base 11. Pharmacy 12. Base for community and social care teams There is also an overarching need for the Hospital to have the facility to evolve to accommodate future clinical developments and changing attitudes to hospitalization. This cannot be achieved within the existing infrastructure or management framework. Infrastructure To meet current healthcare standards and accommodate additional facilities it is clear that major redevelopment of the site is necessary. Significant capital funding will need to be sought from the NHS, either through the recently announced Community Hospital initiative or through a Section 64 grant from the Department of Health. Management Framework The League has considered various management options – there is no clear or successful model with which make a direct comparison. Clearly the Primary Care Trust as a service commissioner ought not to be also the service provider. The alternative is the creation of a not-for-profit independent company or a charitable trust. Evaluation of this option is favoured by the Strategic Health Authority and the PCT. An opportunity exists to create in Ludlow the flagship model for the future of all Community Hospitals. Next Steps The League will pursue and expand these proposals via the PCT’s Ludlow Hospital Development Group and with appropriate consultants who should be appointed without delay. Time clearly is of the essence. Executive Committee
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