A VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF HEMEL HOSPITAL
NEW VISION FOR HEMEL AIMS TO BRING CARE CLOSER TO PEOPLE
Action Group attacks Trust’s current plans as absurd
A new report urges the NHS to revive Hemel Hempstead Hospital (HHH) and make it a vibrant integrated healthcare centre for Dacorum.
The report ‘A Vision for the Future of Hemel Hempstead Hospital’ by the Dacorum Health Action Group (DHAG), says better diagnostic facilities and wards should be combined on the town-centre site with services to support healthier lifestyles and tackling preventable disease.
Current proposals by the West Hertfordshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust for limited investment in “planned medical care” at HHH are described in the report as “absurd” and risking “a much less accessible overall health service provision for local patients”.
In contrast, the Group’s ambitious Vision for HHH says that, whatever decision is taken on the site for a new emergency care hospital, the other hospitals in West Hertfordshire should ‘provide a wide range of integrated services for their local communities.’
The DHAG Vision for Hemel Hospital includes:
- Straightforward elective surgery, with orthopaedic outpatients facilities returning to HHH to serve the large elderly population;
- Rehabilitation wards of a high standard to take patients from the emergency care hospital to stop bed blocking, and give patients support and therapy to help them regain their independence;
- A day ward or Day centre to be run by well-trained senior nurses or District nurses;
- District nurses to be based at HHH to enable a further integration of services;
- An integrated centre for preventative services including stopping smoking, exercise groups to keep people mobile and prevent falls, exercise for cardiology patients, and weight loss.
To read the full report click here and let us know your thoughts!