Transfer in Poole Hospital services causes concern for staff

Poole Hospital has announced that it will transfer crucial services to Royal Bournemouth Hospital by the summer of 2026.

This would see departments such as emergency, maternity and blood transfusion all no longer running at the Poole location.

NHS staff from Poole who run the affected services have been given a contract for transfer of employment in Bournemouth.

This change has caused alarm and distress for some staff.

A local nurse, Lucy, 42, said: “My main cause of concern is that the level of care will deteriorate.”

She added: “I fear it will become a fast-track hospital.”

The transition aims to create a more resilient and efficient service for its patients.

There have already been reports of lack of staff parking within Royal Bournemouth Hospital.

A Bournemouth patient, Amanda, 51, said: “I have experienced trouble with the parking at Bournemouth previously although we’ve been advised that the issues are being addressed.”

She added: “I am still waiting to receive two follow up appointments from treatments I got in July.”

Frequent Bournemouth hospital patients have also expressed their concerns fearing that the transition could cause longer waiting periods.

Amanda said: “I can’t help but feel the quality in care I receive will start to decline as they crack down on waiting times.”

Changes will start from this winter.