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Campaigners examine legal options over suspension of A&E services

Campaigners have instructed claimant law firm Irwin Mitchell to examine their legal options over a decision by South Tees NHS Foundation Trust to suspend accident and emergency services temporarily at The Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

South Tees NHS Foundation Trust downgraded the hospital to the status of an urgent care treatment last week (27 March). The trust, which blames an inability to recruit key medical staff, had previously estimated that up to eight patients a day would likely be affected by the changes.

The Save Friarage Hospital group has warned, however, that the changes would significantly impact on services at the site and see the loss of the 31-bed emergency ward as well as the intensive treatment unit beds.

The campaigners also claimed that the plans would have a knock-on effect for ambulance services and at other hospitals across the area such as James Cook in Middlesbrough and Darlington Memorial.

Helen Smith, solicitor at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Our clients are hugely concerned about the suspension to specific hospital services and are now working quickly to consider the legal options available.

“The changes in this case would affect more than just the people of Northallerton, as they may only serve to have a wider impact on other local health services. With this in mind, we will be analysing the decision-making process to ultimately determine whether all of the consequences of this move have been properly considered.”

Smith added: “While we recognise that the NHS is facing great strain at this time, it is absolutely vital that every decision is made lawfully and with the best interests of patients at heart.”

The campaigners have set up a crowdfunding page to help fund their case, with an initial target of £5,000.

Adrian Clements, medical director for the Friarage Hospital, said last month: “We now have robust operational plans in place for this urgent temporary change and we are very confident that The James Cook University Hospital is able to manage this additional patient demand and have had similar assurances from Darlington Memorial Hospital and from the ambulance service.”

Clements added that the hospital had briefed the Scrutiny of Health committee for North Yorkshire on these changes and its plans for implementation. “We were able to reassure them on our plans to increase day case surgery, explain that all minor illnesses and injuries that will be treated at the Friarage 24 hours a day. We explained the anticipated number of patients affected and the consensus we have from clinicians on this being the model that can provide us with a sustainable model for the future of the Friarage.”

The trust said that once the current services had been stabilised to ensure patient safety, it would be working in partnership with the clinical commissioning group to deliver a full public consultation.