PCT Takeover Better Health Care Closer to Home!

At the Epsom and St Helier Trust Board meeting they will report on the draft terms of reference along the following lines:

"The terms of reference are still awaiting final approval by NHS London. The latest draft is in substance little different from earlier drafts but places greater emphasis on commissioner leadership and the need to take account of the broader strategic perspective within South West London and London as a whole."

"Commisisoner leadership" means the PCT. This is good news as the acute trusts mishandling of the entire BHCH process in their desperation to continue the strategy first proposed in 1992 to shift services from St Helier to the Sutton site. The fact that the Acting Chief Executive of the PCT is also going to chair the steering groups shows how things have shifted in terms of leadership.

In another post I will be reporting on the development of Local Care Hospitals in Sutton. The Acute Trust should focus on managing its current finances and now allow the PCT to commission a full local strategy for the future.