Health Scrutiny - 7 September
A few quick comments:
1. Good to see from the minutes that Councillor John Leach is focussing on acute services. The "pro-Sutton Hospital CCH" faction clearly still needs an advocate in the right place!!:-)
2. on Item 3, the PCT Financial Recovery Plan, I hope Councillors ask for more info on this issue. For years the NHS has had pretty appalling financial management and it whinges far more than even local government does in what has been a period of significant financial expansion. In addition Local Government has been much more effective at managing it equivalent resources. The move from acute to community settings makes sense and points to my suggestion of a larger "Local Care Network" (see postings below) rather than just 3 Local Care Hospitals as being more effective and more likely to be implemented in the coming 5 years. Again this paper shows that all aspects of BHCH have now been dumped and we need to look beyond it. However there may well be inappropriate cuts and my comments are:
a) Consultant to consultant referrals. This is an interesting challenge to current NHS culture!
b) A&E Meet and Greet. This seems a really good idea, that should have been implemented years ago, especially since we have have had to go through the BHCH fiasco.
c) Investment in Community Matrons. Another good idea that souns much better than BHCH.
d) Day Hospitals. A review is ok, but what are the real implications?
e) Respite for Disabled Children. The move from Cedar Close to Orchard Hill could be controversial in view of the fact we are unclear on the future of NHS facilities on the Orchar Hill site. Is this a permanent proposal? Presumably Cedar Close would be flogged off for housing?
3. Item 10 on BHCH should be quick as it really doesn't exist any more in the form proposed. Part of it will of course be dusted down for acute services after the Trust has achieved Foundation Status in 2 years. I will be writing more soon on what we should be the early demands to aim at the Foundation Trust application.
1. Good to see from the minutes that Councillor John Leach is focussing on acute services. The "pro-Sutton Hospital CCH" faction clearly still needs an advocate in the right place!!:-)
2. on Item 3, the PCT Financial Recovery Plan, I hope Councillors ask for more info on this issue. For years the NHS has had pretty appalling financial management and it whinges far more than even local government does in what has been a period of significant financial expansion. In addition Local Government has been much more effective at managing it equivalent resources. The move from acute to community settings makes sense and points to my suggestion of a larger "Local Care Network" (see postings below) rather than just 3 Local Care Hospitals as being more effective and more likely to be implemented in the coming 5 years. Again this paper shows that all aspects of BHCH have now been dumped and we need to look beyond it. However there may well be inappropriate cuts and my comments are:
a) Consultant to consultant referrals. This is an interesting challenge to current NHS culture!
b) A&E Meet and Greet. This seems a really good idea, that should have been implemented years ago, especially since we have have had to go through the BHCH fiasco.
c) Investment in Community Matrons. Another good idea that souns much better than BHCH.
d) Day Hospitals. A review is ok, but what are the real implications?
e) Respite for Disabled Children. The move from Cedar Close to Orchard Hill could be controversial in view of the fact we are unclear on the future of NHS facilities on the Orchar Hill site. Is this a permanent proposal? Presumably Cedar Close would be flogged off for housing?
3. Item 10 on BHCH should be quick as it really doesn't exist any more in the form proposed. Part of it will of course be dusted down for acute services after the Trust has achieved Foundation Status in 2 years. I will be writing more soon on what we should be the early demands to aim at the Foundation Trust application.
posted by Charlie Mansell at 4:20 pm
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