Statement on Fylde coast rehabilitation services

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, NHS Blackpool and NHS Fylde and Wyre Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) have responded to several media reports surrounding the services at Bispham Hospital and the provision of services by Spiral Health.

The changes being made to the provision of rehabilitation care have been planned for some time and are the result of the public consultation ‘The Future of Older People’s Rehabilitation Services on the Fylde Coast’, the findings of which were published in March 2013.

The consultation covered a number of main themes, including transforming models of care to ensure more people could receive high quality care packages in their own homes. At the same time, facilities at Clifton Hospital would be improved with the closure of the Wesham and Rossall sites and the possible closure of Bispham also.

The end result of these changes will be better care, better recovery rates, improved privacy and dignity, better nursing input and care provided at home where possible.

Both Fylde and Wyre and Blackpool CCGs commission rehabilitation care from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, who in turn subcontract the inpatient rehabilitation service from Spiral. Currently there are 20 Fylde and Wyre rehabilitation beds at Rossall Hospital and 20 Blackpool beds at Bispham Hospital.

In the future, rehabilitation services for patients in Fylde and Wyre will be provided at Dock Street in Fleetwood. However, until refurbishment work is completed on this facility, services will be provided at Clifton Hospital, which has recently undergone a major development with approximately £1million of investment into the building.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, Blackpool CCG and Blackpool Council Social Services have been working closely to provide an intermediate care service, including rehabilitation for patients in Blackpool, at the Assessment Rehabilitation Centre which provides excellent facilities from 34 beds.

There has also been investment within the community to develop services to look after people in their own homes such as IV therapy and rapid response teams and an increase in community therapy services. In addition, the Extensive Care Service is being implemented across the Fylde coast which cares for patients with more complex, long term conditions in their own homes.

Blackpool Teaching Hospitals and both CCGs would like to assure staff and patients that our aim is to make sure we provide the highest quality rehabilitation services in the most appropriate setting for the patients themselves.

At all times, the organisations are working together to achieve the consultation’s aim of developing high quality services for patients. Blackpool Teaching Hospitals is now working with Spiral Health to ensure a smooth transition of services from the Bispham site.

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