Dawn Butler MP for Brent Central has added her voice to those challenging plans to decommission the Brent Sickle Cell Advisory Support
Service (BSCASS).
She has written the following letter to the Chair of Brent
Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Dr Effie Kong, calling on her to urgently
reconsider the decision.
Dear Dr
Kong,
I am
writing to put on record my deep concern at the recent decision taken by Brent
CCG to decommission the Brent Sickle Cell Advisory Support Service (BSCASS).
BSCASS
provides a thoroughly vital and valued service to the communities of Harlesden
and Stonebridge and beyond which has a high prevalence of sickle cell
sufferers. This is a poorly understood condition and services such as BSCASS
are vital in helping sufferers live normal and healthy lives.
It is
also vital in providing assurances to sufferers who are discharged from
hospital, that extra help prevents sufferers often immediately returning into
hospital, for example if a person’s house is too cold.
In
particular, I would like answers to the following questions:
What consultation, beyond the reported meeting due to take place on the 7th September 2016, has been carried out with sickle cell suffers and service users within Brent?Has an equality impact assessment been carried out ahead of the decision to decommission this service? And if not, why did you not feel it appropriate to do so?Brent CCG’s own report suggests service users will be ‘signposted to advocacy and advisory services within the borough’. What assessment has been made of the travel implications of decommissioning for residents of Harlesden and Stonebridge where a majority of local sickle sufferers are based?Have you conducted a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis in relation to the decommissioning of this service? I understand that the CCG acknowledges a reduction in admissions as a result of the service. Will you also publish any data you have on this point?
I should
declare an interest as an MP who is sickle cell trait and my brothers have the
full blown disease I understand the complicated needs around sufferers, I have
always been so impressed with the service provided by Brent, recently the
erosion of this service starting with the relocation of the services from
Central Middlesex hospital has been extremely disappointing.
You have
no idea how painful it is to sit when you are in crisis and to expect someone
to travel an extra 60mins for help is very cruel. The decommissioning of this
service adds further to the existing health burden of my constituents and
represents a growing inequality in the provision of healthcare services within
the borough.
Finally,
if this is a question of fiscal constraints then I believe we need to look at
new and innovative ways to ensure the preservation of this service. I would
welcome the opportunity to meet with the CCG and community activists to explore
alternate funding arrangements that would deliver this outcome. I am pleading
with you to reconsider your decision.
I look
forward to your reply,
Dawn Butler MP
Labour
Member of Parliament for Brent Central
