HEALTH bosses are to spend thousands on PR experts to try and convince residents to support the downgrading of Solihull Hospital’s maternity services.They have earmarked £150,000 for a formal consultation including ‘communications support’ from PR expert Claire Austin.
This is despite all NHS organisations involved having their own PR teams.
An NHS report warns of ‘significant reputational damage’ over a controversial decision to remove doctor-led births from April – before consultation.
Bosses say this is a temporary measure and full consultation will take place later this year. This has been mooted since last summer. Cash will also be spent on building works.
A statement to The Silhillian from Solihull NHS Care Trust said: “Solihull NHS Care Trust and Birmingham East and North Primary Care Trust have earmarked £150,000 to cover the additional costs of the project.
“This cost will be shared between the two organisations. It will cover communications support and events to involve interested local people in drawing up the options for the future of maternity services in Solihull, which will then form the basis of the formal consultation.”
The statement said: “It also covers the cost of the formal consultation itself. The cost is an estimate which is part of a revised project plan going before the boards of both Trusts next month.
“Communications and engagement support will be provided by Claire Austin, who has wide experience in that role across the West Midlands.
“Both trusts are committed to consulting with communities who would potentially be affected by this review and this is reflected in the setting aside of additional money to ensure that happens.”
Cash will also be spent at Solihull and Heartland Hospitals in Bordesley Green, which will take on some doctor-led births. Bosses said they could not yet put a price on this.
A statement from Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, which manages the sites, said: “Every effort has been made to minimise all costs.”
It added: “Some capital works are being planned at Heartlands Hospital to enable the facility to accommodate additional births and an additional birthing pool is being provided at Solihull Hospital.”
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