Case study - Bolton

Bolton rally - 24 Jan 2007

CSP members in Bolton were involved in a protest against NHS cuts equating to £3.7 million and up to 130 jobs.

CSP members Gemma Hindley and Stephania Wychrij were amongst those quoted in the coverage of the protest in The Bolton News.

CSP member Eleanor Whinn writes:

On the 24th January CSP members from the Royal Bolton Hospitals NHS Trust joined with other healthcare trade unions in a demonstration against cuts that threaten the NHS and in particular the real threat of Independent Clinical Assessment and Treatment Services (ICATS). This Greater Manchester wide initiative, supported by Bolton PCT, will result in a complete change to Out Patient and diagnostic service in the major surgical specialist areas of orthopaedics, ENT, general surgery, urology and gynaecology. Under this new system GPs will be instructed to refer 90% of their caseload to an ICATS centre provided by the independent sector. As no guarantee has been offered that the treatment or follow up services will be delivered by District General Hospitals such as Royal Bolton Hospital there is an uncertainty of potential detrimental effects to both staff and patients. In response to these changes the Chief executive at Royal Bolton Hospital estimates 50% of our hospital's total outpatient workload could be lost equating to £3.7 million in lost income and possibly 130 lost jobs. The imminent impact for patients may also result in travelling further for services that traditionally have been provided on their doorstep.

The demonstration was fully supported by all hospital staff as well as patients and members of the public. With help from local press and a petition signed by supporters against these cuts we feel the profile of the speed at which the implementation is taking place and lack of consultation with staff and services users has been greatly highlighted.