THE two NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups that cover the South Hams say ‘patients can choose’ between services run by Torbay Hospital and Derriford Hospital.

But local patients’ groups have called on the CCGs to fix their referral systems, saying they are ‘refusing to address the situation’ of boundary issues and the effect it has on patients.

John Venmore, chair of Chillington Health Centre’s Patient Participation Group explained that Chillington patients regard the hospital in Kingsbridge as their local community hospital, and expect that, when suitable facilities are provided at that hospital, they will be made available to them when they are under the care of Torbay-based consultants.

Mr Venmore said: ‘The South Devon and Torbay CCG will shortly be embarking on a period of public consultation on its plan for the provision of community health services.

‘The draft plan includes a determination to make sure that people ‘do not travel further than they need to for treatment and support’ and states that ‘the more out of hospital services we can provide in or close to people’s homes the better.’

‘In the case of Chillington patients there is, close to their homes, the much-valued South Hams Hospital where at least some types of chemotherapy, dialysis and other services are available.’

Mr Venmore continued: ‘The chemotherapy facility was established with funds raised locally to meet local concerns following a campaign started or centred on the Chillington practice area. The facility is still partly funded by local contributions.

‘It is unacceptable and plainly contrary to the CCG’s own plan that these readily accessible local facilities have not been, and are not now, being made available to Chillington patients when being treated by the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.’

Mr Venmore added: ‘It is disappointing that the CCG’s statement does not properly and clearly address the substance of the complaint and say what action is being taken.

‘The patients of Chillington deserve better. This unfortunate situation is not the fault of the doctors at the Chillington practice.

‘Fast and decisive action is required by the CCG to put matters right. Common sense demands nothing less.’

In a joint statement released by Northern Eastern and Western CCG and South Devon and Torbay CCG, a spokesperson said: ‘There are many things that determine where a patient is treated, but ultimately the NHS priority is to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient.

‘Where patients wish to be cared for at Kingsbridge hospital, they can be referred by their GP, whether their GP is in the NEW Devon or South Devon and Torbay CCG area.

‘However, some secondary care services are not available at Kingsbridge and patients in these circumstances will be referred to a different care setting, which unfortunately might not be as close to where they live.’

The spokesperson added: ‘Of course, patients should be aware that while choice does exist, all follow-up appointments and treatment relating to the condition for which they’ve been referred must be carried out by the same hospital.’

Daphne Jefferson from South Hams Hospital League of Friends agreed with Mr Venmore that the CCG’s joint statement doesn’t acknowledge the problem: ‘If services are not available at Kingsbridge, then obviously patients have to be sent elsewhere.

‘However, the CCG statement gives a completely untrue version of what is happening.

‘Certain services are available at Kingsbridge and patients are being denied access to them. This has to be totally unnecessary, and can only be put down to unjustifiable bureaucracy.’

Mrs Jefferson continued: ‘It is very frustrating and it is an uphill struggle to get the CCG to address this issue, although everyone we have been in touch with in the CCG and Livewell agree the system is flawed.

‘It is difficult to understand that if the NHS priority is ‘to achieve the best possible outcome for the patient’ as is claimed, then why are patients being made to take totally unnecessary journeys for treatment they can receive in their local hospital?’

MP for Totnes Sarah Wollaston, who has intervened in the past in an attempt to resolve the issue, said: ‘The priority here should be what is right for patients rather than allow people to be inconvenienced by administrative blocks.

‘This is an issue I have raised with the CCG and the community interest company which now runs South Hams Hospital and I hope they will work together to resolve the outstanding issues.’

Mr Venmore and Mrs Jefferson are now calling on both CCGs to work together to change the referral systems, and hope the issue can be resolved at the earliest possibly opportunity.

People with questions about their referral experience can contact South Devon and Torbay CCG’s patient experience team on 01803 652578.

South Hams Hospital League of Friends can be contacted at the email address [email protected].