Proposals for the future of the Nuffield Unit

Introduction

This area is reserved for practical proposals for saving the unit. It is important that any schemes that are proposed be well thought out, capable of implementation and above all financially sound. The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust is struggling with debt and will not look kindly upon any plan that simply calls for them to spend money.

We would welcome any advice as to how to prepare such plans, especially from anyone skilled in matters legal or financial.

The consultation paper does contain some ideas which it does not research in great detail. These are reproduced here for reference:

Do nothing

This option retains the unit whilst a marketing campaign is undertaken (possibly with the help of parents) with the hope that referrals would increase. The RFH Trust would not be willing to run the Unit at a loss for any length of time, and do not believe that marketing would achieve the desired effect in a timely manner. There is also an argument that says that running the Unit with reduced numbers would put the remaining children at an educational disadvantage because the social grouping would be inappropriate.

Run with reduced numbers

This is similar to the option above, and the RFH trust makes the same arguments about running a loss-making service and about an appropriate social grouping amongst the children.

Offer a mobile service

The expertise in the unit would be retained, but the service would be delivered by moving from school to school as required, collecting funding from Primary Care Trusts. This option is dismissed on the grounds of probable high costs.

Alter the (entry) criteria

The document claims that this has already been done, and states that it is unlikely that referrals can be increased sufficiently.

Merge with a similar unit

This option is dismissed on the basis that the Nuffield unit is so unique that the RFH Trust would be unlikely to find a suitable partner unit is the time-scale needed to achieve financial balance in the near future.

Move to the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital

This is seen as a positive move financially as it would reduce costs and overheads per patient, but it is pointed out that there are insufficient facilities at the RNTNEH to allow the service to run effectively.

Close the unit

This is the option the one unfortunately favoured by the RFH NHS trust.

Detailed Proposals

In preparation

Comments and Ideas

Please contribute!