Healthy future

The overwhelming majority were rightly in favour of a department open round-the-clock.

That is exactly what will be put to the board of NHS Nottinghamshire County when it meets in Newark on Thursday.

No other option is on the table.

Crucially, there is agreement among health professionals — GPs and hospital doctors — that the 24/7 model is the one that best suits Newark now, and in the future. It is the least a growing town deserves.

It seems GPs, who initially backed a proposal for closure from midnight to 7am, have been persuaded to change their minds by the consultation process.

Heart attacks and strokes will be treated at specialist centres and major trauma victims will be taken to the nearest appropriate acute hospital — likely to be Lincoln in most cases.

That still means there will be a transport issue for family and friends wanting to visit.

The primary care trust acknowledges this and has commissioned a major public transport study to try to address concerns.

It says ambulance provision — another main area of concern highlighted during the consultation — is a matter for the East Midlands Ambulance Service, but the trust has allocated more money to the service and would expect that to be reflected in the cover provided.

In addition, an emergency care practitioner with specialised training will work from Newark Hospital 12 hours a day covering the busiest times for 999 ambulance calls.

There will also be a GP on duty at the hospital from 6.30pm to 8am providing enhanced out-of-hours GP cover.

The changes will be implemented by April 2011. There is still much fine-tuning to be done, but with doctors and the public pushing for a round-the-clock unit the board must confirm the proposals as the way forward.