Ramsey MHK and GP Dr Alex Allinson says he is shocked at the decision to close an acute ward at Noble’s Hospital and end the GP-led service at Ramsey Cottage Hospital.

He said Ramsey Group Practice would work to ensure that patient care does not suffer as a result of the re-organisation - but it would now have to consider how it can continue to provide a ’first-rate’ GP service in the light of the changes.

Health chiefs announced last week a raft of changes they said would improve care and cut costs.

They include relocating the chemotherapy service to ward 5 at Noble’s, which will no longer be 21-bed medical ward.

This will free up staff to fill vacancies elsewhere in the hospital and to cover a newly-expanded service at the Cottage Hospital which will operated as a ’step-up, step-down’ intermediate care facility, for patients unable to look after themselves at home but not poorly enough to require an acute hospital bed.

It will give a new lease of life to the cottage hospital, which health chiefs say has been under-used.

But Dr Allinson (pictured) has concerns that it will no longer be run by GPs from the Ramsey Group Practice but will be a consultant-led service.

He said: ’The changes announced this week came as a shock to everyone. The GPs were due to have a meeting about their present contract but instead were given a letter and three months’ notice to quit.

’We will try and work with the department over the next three months to ensure patient care does not suffer as a result of this reorganisation.

’The group practice now needs to consider how it can continue to provide first rate GP services in light of the changes in its finances and medical responsibilities.’

Dr Allinson said he spent Friday with the Ramsey GPs and the staff at the Cottage Hospital.

He said: ’Over the last 10 years they have worked together to create a team serving not just Ramsey and the north but the whole island.

’Since it was built, the cottage hospital has provided personal care. It is the reason many of the GPs choose to come to Ramsey; the ability to look after people in their consulting room, home or when they need to come into hospital. As a GP-led unit it was often praised for its efficiency and holistic care.

Dr Allinson said the closure of ward 5 will result in the loss of 21 acute medical beds. Ten currently mothballed beds in Ramsey will be reopened and Martin Ward will be reorganised as a rehabilitation ward for the whole island.

He said: ’Rather than GPs looking after the needs of patients this will now be consultant-led and I hope they gain the same knowledge of patients, their families and the local community as the current team has built up over the years.

’The present hospital manager will be relocated and Ramsey and District Cottage Hospital will now be run as a branch of Noble’s.’

He said the GPs and staff have been given assurances that the current Minor Injury Unit will continue to function, although without GP input.

They have also been reassured by the hospital’s manager that the current provision for respite beds will continue and patients will be able to be admitted directly from MIU when appropriate.

’We have yet to discuss admissions for palliative care or alcohol detoxification; just two of the many specialist local services provided by the Ramsey team,’ he said.

Dr Allinson said: ’I and my fellow GPs would like to thank the staff at the cottage hospital for their help and comradeship over the years and the people of Ramsey and the north for their support.’