Unite raps NHS plans to shut screening unit as more women take
cancer tests thanks to the ‘Jade Goody’ effect
25th February 2010
Unite raps NHS plans to shut screening unit as more women take
cancer tests thanks to the ‘Jade Goody’ effect
Unite is angry over NHS plans to shut a cervical screening service
next month putting thousands of female patients across Merseyside
and West Lancashire at risk.
NHS Sefton has informed Unite the union that it proposes to shut
the Cervical Cytology Services within the Southport and Ormskirk
Hospital NHS Trust by March 31st. The trust has said that 51 per
cent of the work will be transferred to the Royal Liverpool &
Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust. However, it has not been
confirmed who will be taking over the other 49 per cent of the
screening service for Cumbria and Lancashire.
Unite members at the Cervical Cytology Service provide a
screening service for women across the North West including areas
such as Tarleton, Skelmersdale, Southport, Ormskirk, Formby and
Maghull. Many GP practices across these areas rely on the service
to provide all their “smear taker kits”. Also, staff have a
responsibility to follow up on patients who have had a positive
smear or have been asked to return to a GP for a repeat smear and
also patients who have not been treated.
Unite is calling for meaningful consultation and urgent dialogue
with the trust and local GPs over the proposed closure and transfer
of jobs.
Unite regional officer, Debbie Brannan, said: “Unite members are
obviously concerned about their jobs but as healthcare
professionals they are more concerned about saving thousands of
women’s lives from this dreadful disease.
“Once staff move who is going to monitor female patients from
Merseyside and West Lancashire if they cannot access patient
histories or records? Who will provide smear kits for local
GPs?
“The gynaecologists at Southport and Ormskirk not only take
cervical smears but also treat patients with abnormalities. They
are concerned that the service is becoming fragmented. Cytology is
not a stand alone service but part of a much bigger picture when it
comes to caring for female patients.
“Thanks to the Jade Goody effect and her story more women are
coming forward for testing. And there has been a massive campaign
to cut the smear test age to save women’s lives. It is essential
women across Merseyside and Lancs do not lose faith in the
service.
“The union is demanding that the trust delays the closure and
transfer of work. We want the trust to work with our members and
local GPs to agree a clear plan so that any transfer of work is
done at a pace that will enable the service to transfer with the
minimum of disruption for both the staff and its patients.”
ENDS
For media enquiries please contact Karen Viquerat, Unite
communications officer on 07768 931 316.
