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PAUL Mainwaring.
Transport needs to be improved
Frank Wood28/12/2005
A DISABLED man who has become the main public voice in plans for an overhaul of NHS healthcare in this area says he agrees it would be scandalous to go ahead without massive improvements in public transport.
Paul Mainwaring is chairman of the patients' council for the Healthy Futures programme, aimed at implementing the most radical changes for generations in the way health care in the community and in hospitals is delivered to patients.
The 15-strong council was set up five months ago to give the public - and in particular patients like Paul who regularly use hospital services - a direct say in the planning. He has suffered two strokes and is registered blind.
Their brief from the start from health bosses, says Paul, was: "Give us a patient's view of what needs to be done and tell us straight if you think we are going wrong."
He admits that he was sceptical at first - but he is now convinced that the input from his council, plus the results of the biggest ever public consultation to be held in the new year, mean that the views of Joe Public will be heeded.
However, he shares concerns expressed recently in the Advertiser by Councillor Colin Lambert that creating centres of excellence for major hospital services on fewer sites can never work without a massive boost in public transport serving whichever sites are eventually chosen.
Paul said: "I agree 100 per cent with him [Lambert] that it would be scandalous to consider the changes without improving public transport.
"My own medical condition means I have regularly used buses, trains, taxis and lifts from other people to access hospital and community health services over the past 19 years.
"I am confident those running the Healthy Futures programme are fully aware of the needs of patients facing travel issues, because I am one of that team."
Paul says they are already negotiating with the ambulance service about emergency and patient transport and they are also talking with GM Passenger Transport Executive and Dial-a-Ride.
Paul added: "I can understand why these plans are causing so much anxiety because, even now, the transport needs which exist are not properly addressed.
"But you have to remember that there will be far more care in the community, with even things like minor surgery carried out in 35 new health centres, including one in Heywood. So there will not be as much need to travel except for such things as major surgery.
"The more I hear at meetings, the more I agree there needs to be change. But the change has to come in public transport as well as the health service.
"Like most people, I'd like the government to provide a nice fat cheque so we can leave hospitals where they are and improve them all. But I know that is not possible, so we have to ensure we get it right."
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Sincerely, Linda McKennett Spokane WA USA
1/01/2006 at 21:12