THE role of Alton Community Hospital came under the microscope last week as members of the newly-formed Stakeholders Group put their heads together to begin paving the way for what could be a bright and innovative future. According to North Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) project manager Lisa Briggs, the meeting began with the formal appointment to the chair of retired judge John Hayman supported by vice-chair, local resident John Adams. A good cross-section of people attended the meeting, including those who work in both the community and the hospital, local GPs, social services, local residents, members of the Patient and Public Information Forum, PCT managers and Friends of Alton Community Hospital. "The objective for the afternoon was for people to work in small groups to look at ideas for specific services and how these might be appropriate for the community hospital, for example inpatient care, rehabilitation and intermediate care services, outpatients and other services such as diagnostics," said Ms Briggs. "The groups worked very hard and came up with some positive suggestions and ideas." Speaking after the meeting, local GP Terry Cubitt confirmed the meeting had been a positive one with some interesting and new ideas generated, by taking a more co- ordinated approach to maximising the use of existing facilities and to improving the level of service. "We were looking at what we already have and how to use it in the best possible ways as well as thinking about what improvements could be made and about other services to put on a wish list. "People were imaginative about what could be achieved on the premises and with a modest amount of adaptation," he said. While continued funding was a key issue, particularly at a time of considerable concern about health service funding both at local and national level, the objective was clear: "To get the best treatment and best value" while "matching aspirations with funding." But while treatment was cheaper to administer at community rather than district hospital level, the issue was further complicated by uncertainty over who was going to be in control of Alton Community Hospital in the future. While currently managed by North Hampshire PCT, there is talk about responsibility being handed over to the GP practices who could, said Dr Cubitt, even take on ownership. "We don't know what the future holds so we have to keep all options open to make sure we achieve the best possible outcome. It is important to be as lateral in approach as possible - the health service is constantly changing and we have to adapt with it." According to Lisa Briggs, work will now take place to identify the potential shape of services, taking into account capacity, demand and costing. The results of this will be presented back to the November meeting of the Stakeholders Group. Once again the North Hampshire PCT has taken the opportunity to reiterate its commitment to Alton Community Hospital, stressing the key part that it plays in the delivery of healthcare to the local community. In a letter to The Alton Herald this week, Ms Briggs also points out that the reopening of Inwood Ward has not been discounted and that this too will be discussed in great detail as the Stakeholder Group develops its options.
