A review into the future of health services in Newark was carried out by a small group of members on the Health & Wellbeing committee.
The group considered whether there had been appropriate patient and public consultation in proposals from NHS Nottinghamshire County to replace the accident and emergency department in a major shake-up of health provision in Newark.
Newark hospital has no intensive care beds, 24-hour anaesthetics cover, or access to major surgical facilities, which means many emergency patients already have to be transferred by ambulance to other hospitals because their injuries cannot be treated.
NHS Nottinghamshire County consulted on options to replace A&E with a minor injuries unit plus. This will be staffed by GPs or specially trained nurses, with more community care services and outpatient clinics.
Members of the committee want to ensure that there is sufficient emergency care for Newark residents at the busiest times.
The Trust have proposed that patients requiring specialist care such as for stroke, heart attack or major trauma be taken to the Kings Mill Hospital or the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham in a move towards offering patients the best specialist care at the most appropriate centre.
Members were also concerned that the closure of Friary Ward has meant mental health patients have had to be transferred to the Ashfield Health Village.
Members have called for the trust and the council to look at the need for transport from Newark to hospitals in Mansfield and Ashfield.
Read a copy of the final scrutiny report [129KB] 
Lead scrutiny officer: matthew.garrard@nottscc.gov.uk
