Medics welcome approval of shake-up to hospital care

Changes planned under the “Moving With The Times” proposals have now been agreed after a 13-week public consultation.

These changes will be implemented over the next three years.

Dr Sam Feeney, clinical lead for the Moving with the Times project, said: “We are delighted that the board have approved our plans, which we believe will improve health outcomes for the people of Doncaster who will benefit from what promises to be a state-of-the-art specialist rehabilitation centre at Montagu Hospital.

“The proposals will also help secure the future of Montagu by increasing the amount of day surgery and endoscopy procedures the hospital offers.

“The hospital developments will be matched by an expansion of community services so we can provide more care where patients have told us they would like to receive it – either at home or as close to home as possible.

“Advancements in technology mean that more patients can now be cared for at home appropriately and safely.

“Evidence shows that enabling patients to move to a course of rehabilitation or reablement as quickly as possible after a hospital stay helps them to recover better and return to everyday life much faster.”

As part of the changes to services, some wards at Tickhill Road Hospital will close and the rehab services they provide will transfer to Montagu Hospital.

Montagu, meanwhile, will house a 58-bed rehabilitation unit to treat patients who have fallen, have had an acute illness or have had a stroke.

Ron Calvert, chief executive of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, added: “This decision will put an end to months of uncertainty about the range of services we provide at Montagu Hospital.

“The future of Montagu Hospital is assured.”