QUESTIONS have been raised about a consultation survey on proposed cutbacks to Richardson Hospital, in Barnard Castle, with residents saying it is too vague.
The consultation run, by the Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), was due to close on Wednesday, December 19, but was extended so more people could express their views. The closing date is now Wednesday, January 30. However, concerned Teesdale residents who wanted to give their views on the out-of-hours clinic run at Richardson Hospital have been critical about the wording.
The survey on how residents access primary care doesn’t mention the town’s hospital, even though the future of its out-of-hours service is under threat. Last year the CCG organised nine public consultation events across their region, with one held at Barnard Castle in November.
Printed copies of the survey contained background information on why the proposed changes to how seven day primary care services are provided were available.
However, the online version does not. One Teesdale Mercury reader wrote in to say: “After reading your report in the Mercury I went to the ‘haveasay.org.uk’ survey. It’s a tick-box site that gives no one the chance to give an opinion on the matter of the Richardson Hospital.”
Another resident added: “I was going to complete the survey, but it seems only to apply to Bishop Auckland and not Richardson.”
County councillor Richard Bell, a member of the joint health overview scrutiny committee, said: “I would advise people to make their views known and fight to keep services at the Richardson.”
However, a CCG spokeswoman said: “One of the nine current GP hubs is based in the Richardson Hospital in Barnard Castle and in the survey ,question seven asks ‘Is there anything we have missed or not considered’? and question eight asks are there ‘Any other comments regarding this consultation’?”
She added: “You can access the online survey via www.durhamdaleseasington
sedgefieldccg.nhs.uk where the supporting information is readily available or via www.haveasay.org.uk where it does advise to read the supporting information about the consultation prior to completing the survey.”
