By Press Release
The Isle of Wight Observer has made a formal complaint to the IW NHS Trust about their failure to consult Islanders about their decision to merge the executive management of the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth Hospital Trusts.
We found out this week that the two Trusts have already obtained permission from NHS England and the Integrated Care Board to go ahead with the merger, but when we asked for a copy of the formal decision we were told that “There aren’t publicly available minutes of a decision by the Boards”.
The Isle of Wight Council leader, Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, and independent patient watchdog, Healthwatch Isle of Wight, were only informed of the merger decision shortly before the press release was issued.
We offered to arrange a public meeting to help the IW NHS Trust to explain the reasons behind their decision, answer any concerns and give assurances about future arrangements, but this was rebuffed as they are “not planning to do any public events at the moment”.
We have consulted solicitors and we believe that the IW NHS Trust has a statutory duty to explain their decision and give Islanders a say, but even if they do not agree, they could launch a voluntary consultation exercise. When we asked why they would not do so we received no response.
Joanna Smith, manager of Healthwatch Isle of Wight, said: “We understand that the IW NHS Trust has had difficulties in recruiting the specialist staff that are needed on the Island and this merger should give Island residents the opportunity to benefit from a wider range of specialist staff and services.
“However, local people have been sharing their concerns with us, particularly in relation to the fear that they will have to travel further afield for essential medical treatment.
“The first line of the NHS Constitution says that ‘The NHS belongs to the people’, so it is imperative that health services engage with the IW community to ensure that local people have a say in how local services are delivered.”
We will keep Islanders updated with any developments.