THE GPs who have been providing vital cover at Kendal's emergency unit have spoken out amid claims that hospital bosses have reneged on a deal over accommodation.

Members of the Westmorland Primary Care Co-operative have taken the unusual step of publicly criticising hospital management.

However, hospital bosses say they are surprised by the comments, and stress that £140,000 is being invested in alterations to Westmorland General Hospital.

As previously reported, severe staffing problems at the Emergency and Minor Accident Unit (EMAU) at the Kendal hospital were threatening the future of the service.

Following a review, a pilot scheme was launched last year. For an additional fee, the GP who was already based at the hospital overnight covering out-of-hours calls is available to see some of the EMAU's patients between midnight and 8am.

As part of the scheme, Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust agreed to provide the co-operative with suitable accommodation at the hospital. However, the GPs claim that the plans, which included a consulting room, office and bedroom, were changed without their involvement.

In a letter to the Gazette they said: "The members realised that the new plan would involve decreased waiting space in the emergency department, and worse working conditions both for ourselves and EMAU staff, and therefore it was unacceptable.

"However, we feel that our co-operation and staffing has been beneficial to all, especially to the patients, so rather than take our ball home' we will continue to cover.

"We are sure the public will appreciate that it is very rare for a group of doctors to publicly criticise such an organisation as Morecambe Bay Hospitals NHS Trust but in the end we have had no choice."

Trust chief executive Ian Cumming said the pilot had been very successful and patients received high quality care from the co-operative doctor and hospital staff.

The trust had provided the co-op with extra office space and an overnight room. A scheme to provide additional clinical space was presented to a meeting of the co-operative who agreed to the plan, Mr Cumming said.

"In a busy hospital environment, it is never possible to meet every demand for accommodation and there always has to be a degree of negotiation. In our opinion, the scheme proposed, which the co-operative voted to accept, gives adequate accommodation and means that accommodation for other essential clinical services does not need to be compromised."

April 17, 2003 17:00