Does any of this sound familiar?
The government's private finance initiative has not offered the taxpayer value for money, according to a committee of MPs.
In a report published on Tuesday, the Commons public accounts committee said public authorities often failed to secure a good deal on contracts with private firms.
There are some 800 PFI contracts worth £155bn up to 2032, but the MPs said that the managing of some projects had "got worse" since it last reported on the issue four years ago.
Committee chairman Edward Leigh said he was "very concerned" that public authorities were cutting essential services "to keep the PFI contracts affordable".
"If the public sector is to get value for money from the deals, then the market must be truly competitive," he added.
"What we find instead is that a third of recent projects attracted only two viable bids. This may well become an even bigger problem than it is at present."
With an average three-year tendering period, Leigh said the "costs of making a bid are driven up", resulting in schemes being delayed and the market interest weakened.
He warned that a lack of "PFI expertise among the public sector procurement teams is resulting in poor negotiating with bidders who often have the whip hand".
"The public sector must not be placed in this vulnerable position," Leigh said.
"PFI deals were supposed to give us certainty about the long-term costs of providing public services. The reality is different."
Showing posts with label Maidstone Hosptial A and E. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maidstone Hosptial A and E. Show all posts
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Monday, 12 November 2007
Broom sweeping through MTW Trust Board.
At the Hospital Rally tonight, interim Chief Executive for the Trust announced that three Non-executive Directors have resigned today, with two others not seeking reappointment at the end of the month.
Though not before time, at least now this paves the way for a representative board to be established.
Though not before time, at least now this paves the way for a representative board to be established.
Maidstone is Resolved
After a minutes silence for the victims of C.diff, the very well attended rally on Maidstone Hospital services voted unanimously for the following resolutions;
1. Fit for Purpose
Our NHS trusts to provide highest hygiene standards, nursing and management to ensure patient safety to cover all services in a Maidstone General District Hospital, which must now regain public confidence.
2. Watchdog
This rally supports a KCC proposal to set up a Maidstone area ‘Health Watch’ – an independent route for registering concerns about Maidstone health services.
3. Dissolve Trust
Maidstone and Tunbridge Well NHS Trust to be dissolved and a more appropriate trust area formed with fair Maidstone representation on the board, top management and among clinical directors.
4. A&E
Full A&E to be retained at Maidstone hospital including all emergency surgery (apart from specialised trauma). Chronic pain unit to return immediately.
5. Maternity
Proposals to remove maternity unit, paediatrics and Special Care baby Unit from Maidstone Hospital to be abandoned. Gynaecology to be repatriated.
6. Stroke Unit.
Reinstatement of promise – a specialised Maidstone stroke unit.
1. Fit for Purpose
Our NHS trusts to provide highest hygiene standards, nursing and management to ensure patient safety to cover all services in a Maidstone General District Hospital, which must now regain public confidence.
2. Watchdog
This rally supports a KCC proposal to set up a Maidstone area ‘Health Watch’ – an independent route for registering concerns about Maidstone health services.
3. Dissolve Trust
Maidstone and Tunbridge Well NHS Trust to be dissolved and a more appropriate trust area formed with fair Maidstone representation on the board, top management and among clinical directors.
4. A&E
Full A&E to be retained at Maidstone hospital including all emergency surgery (apart from specialised trauma). Chronic pain unit to return immediately.
5. Maternity
Proposals to remove maternity unit, paediatrics and Special Care baby Unit from Maidstone Hospital to be abandoned. Gynaecology to be repatriated.
6. Stroke Unit.
Reinstatement of promise – a specialised Maidstone stroke unit.
Friday, 12 October 2007
Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust Board must go NOW
Health Secretary Alan Johnson has failed to act decisively. Or act, other than to seek to shift the blame over the impact of targets that the government has pursued so relentlessly despite a plethora of argument about their destructive nature.
Hoops ‘a’ jumping, hoops hoops hoops.
Ok. Johnson has acted to try to stop Gibb’s pay off (pending legal advice, possibly £400,000) but what practical real action has he taken. Well none! The Board are still in place, at least as this post is published.
Some Quotes from the Healthcare Commissions report
"Until recently, the board considered the annual report on control of infection solely as a retrospective document rather than a prospective plan for the coming year where the board could influence and agree priorities.
Additionally, the impact of financial pressures was to reduce further already low numbers of nurses and to put a cap on the use of nurses from agencies and nursing banks. There was unrelenting pressure to reduce the number of beds. Thus, both trusts had very high occupancy levels, could not manage with fewer beds, and so had to open ‘escalation’ beds, often at short notice and in unsuitable environments, without proper support services and equipment in place and, by definition, without permanent staff. The effect of all this was to compromise seriously the control of infection and the quality of clinical care.
We are concerned that where trusts are struggling with a number of problems that consume senior managers’ time, and are under severe pressure to meet targets relating to finance and access, concern for infection control may be undermined.
C. difficile figures were reported to infection control committee meetings, held every three months, but were generally three or four months out of date. The information was part of the pack that subsequently went to the clinical governance and risk committee, the trust management board and the trust board. There was no evidence of action in response to the figures. The data also formed part of the annual infection control report.
Between April 2004 and September 2006 the trust reported to the Healthcare Commission that it had 1,176 patients with
C. difficile infection
At least 345 people died in hospital between April 2004 and September 2006 following an admission to the trust in which they developed C. difficile infection."
The MTW Trust BOARD must go.
There will be much more to publish soon!
Hoops ‘a’ jumping, hoops hoops hoops.
Ok. Johnson has acted to try to stop Gibb’s pay off (pending legal advice, possibly £400,000) but what practical real action has he taken. Well none! The Board are still in place, at least as this post is published.
Some Quotes from the Healthcare Commissions report
"Until recently, the board considered the annual report on control of infection solely as a retrospective document rather than a prospective plan for the coming year where the board could influence and agree priorities.
Additionally, the impact of financial pressures was to reduce further already low numbers of nurses and to put a cap on the use of nurses from agencies and nursing banks. There was unrelenting pressure to reduce the number of beds. Thus, both trusts had very high occupancy levels, could not manage with fewer beds, and so had to open ‘escalation’ beds, often at short notice and in unsuitable environments, without proper support services and equipment in place and, by definition, without permanent staff. The effect of all this was to compromise seriously the control of infection and the quality of clinical care.
We are concerned that where trusts are struggling with a number of problems that consume senior managers’ time, and are under severe pressure to meet targets relating to finance and access, concern for infection control may be undermined.
C. difficile figures were reported to infection control committee meetings, held every three months, but were generally three or four months out of date. The information was part of the pack that subsequently went to the clinical governance and risk committee, the trust management board and the trust board. There was no evidence of action in response to the figures. The data also formed part of the annual infection control report.
Between April 2004 and September 2006 the trust reported to the Healthcare Commission that it had 1,176 patients with
C. difficile infection
At least 345 people died in hospital between April 2004 and September 2006 following an admission to the trust in which they developed C. difficile infection."
The MTW Trust BOARD must go.
There will be much more to publish soon!
Thursday, 11 October 2007
Maidstone Hospital Reconfiguration
The Independent Review Panel (IRP) had the first round of consultations today starting with 4 members of the Maidstone Borough Council External Overview and Scrutiny Committees, of which I was one.
The members argued stridently against the proposals and the manner of the consultation process. Obviously there is more to be reported once the review has completed its evidence gathering process.
The members argued stridently against the proposals and the manner of the consultation process. Obviously there is more to be reported once the review has completed its evidence gathering process.
Healthcare Commissions Report is Beyond Shocking
The full report can be viewed at the following link
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_10_07maidstone_and_tunbridge_wells_investigation_report_oct_2007.pdf
The emotions that the report evokes do not warrant a quick 'blog' response, only the resolve that action is absolutely necessary.
Our thoughts can only be with all those whose have suffered and those who have lost their lives because of this.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/pdfs/11_10_07maidstone_and_tunbridge_wells_investigation_report_oct_2007.pdf
The emotions that the report evokes do not warrant a quick 'blog' response, only the resolve that action is absolutely necessary.
Our thoughts can only be with all those whose have suffered and those who have lost their lives because of this.
Monday, 8 October 2007
Gibb’s Off
The troubled Chief Executive of Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust, Rose Gibb has left her post as of last Friday 5th Oct.
Full details are not yet clear and many rumours abound.
As Chief Executive Rose Gibb was responsible for the hugely unpopular reconfiguration plans for the two hospitals which would see a down grading of Maidstone Hospital A&E services. Her plans had also included the loss of children’s and maternity services.
During her time she presided over the tragic long running out break of C. diff diarrhoea infection, where many elderly lost their lives. The Healthcare Commission were called in to investigate and their report is expected this week to be highly critical.
Full details are not yet clear and many rumours abound.
As Chief Executive Rose Gibb was responsible for the hugely unpopular reconfiguration plans for the two hospitals which would see a down grading of Maidstone Hospital A&E services. Her plans had also included the loss of children’s and maternity services.
During her time she presided over the tragic long running out break of C. diff diarrhoea infection, where many elderly lost their lives. The Healthcare Commission were called in to investigate and their report is expected this week to be highly critical.
Saturday, 6 October 2007
Maidstone Hospital
Well I Never,
The word on the ground is that the LONG awaited Healthcare Commission report into the Trusts management of the tragic deaths due to Clostridium difficile (often called C. Diff) will be published during the next week.
The report is expecting to be DAMNING.
And so it should be.
The word on the ground is that the LONG awaited Healthcare Commission report into the Trusts management of the tragic deaths due to Clostridium difficile (often called C. Diff) will be published during the next week.
The report is expecting to be DAMNING.
And so it should be.
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Maidstone Hospital A&E
Independant Review Panel (IRP) begins review in West Kent
Press Release 12.9.07 more information from http://www.irpanel.org.uk/
The IRP, the independent expert on NHS service change, has announced the start of a review into contested health service changes in West Kent. The review is taking place at the request of the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP. The IRP will consider existing proposals put forward by the local NHS to change emergency and general orthopaedic and surgical services at Maidstone Hospital and the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells.
A report with the IRP’s recommendations will be sent to the Secretary of State following a thorough review process. The IRP includes members with clinical and management expertise, as well as lay people. During the review IRP members will make a number of visits to West Kent specifically to meet with patients, clinicians and other staff. These visits will also provide an opportunity for the IRP to meet with a range of other interested parties, including local authority representatives, interest groups and individuals living and working in the area.
Dr Peter Barrett, Chair of the IRP, said: “Our job is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of State that offer local people high quality, safe, sustainable and accessible healthcare services. Our key focus throughout the review will be on the patient and the quality of care, and we will be hearing evidence from all sides of the debate. We will also look at how any proposals for changes to orthopaedic and surgical services may impact on other clinical services.”
The Secretary of State’s request follows a referral from Kent County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The referral relates to the decision by West Kent Primary Care Trust - following a three-month consultation[1] undertaken jointly with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust - to relocate emergency and general orthopaedic services and surgical services between Maidstone and Kent and Sussex Hospitals.
Orthopaedic and surgical services are currently provided from both hospitals. Under the proposals, each hospital would become a specialist centre – Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells for emergency surgery and emergency orthopaedic care; Maidstone Hospital for planned (elective) surgical and orthopaedic care. Both hospitals would retain A&E services.The IRP’s final report with its recommendations will be forwarded to the Secretary of State by the end of November 2007. The final decision on changes to services in the area will be made by the Secretary of State for Health.
[1] Consultation: A new direction for orthopaedic and surgical care
Of concern here is the statement that both hospitals retain A&E services. Under the proposed reconfiguration, Maidstone will only retain elements of an A&E service.
Press Release 12.9.07 more information from http://www.irpanel.org.uk/
The IRP, the independent expert on NHS service change, has announced the start of a review into contested health service changes in West Kent. The review is taking place at the request of the Secretary of State for Health, Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP. The IRP will consider existing proposals put forward by the local NHS to change emergency and general orthopaedic and surgical services at Maidstone Hospital and the Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells.
A report with the IRP’s recommendations will be sent to the Secretary of State following a thorough review process. The IRP includes members with clinical and management expertise, as well as lay people. During the review IRP members will make a number of visits to West Kent specifically to meet with patients, clinicians and other staff. These visits will also provide an opportunity for the IRP to meet with a range of other interested parties, including local authority representatives, interest groups and individuals living and working in the area.
Dr Peter Barrett, Chair of the IRP, said: “Our job is to provide recommendations to the Secretary of State that offer local people high quality, safe, sustainable and accessible healthcare services. Our key focus throughout the review will be on the patient and the quality of care, and we will be hearing evidence from all sides of the debate. We will also look at how any proposals for changes to orthopaedic and surgical services may impact on other clinical services.”
The Secretary of State’s request follows a referral from Kent County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The referral relates to the decision by West Kent Primary Care Trust - following a three-month consultation[1] undertaken jointly with Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells NHS Trust - to relocate emergency and general orthopaedic services and surgical services between Maidstone and Kent and Sussex Hospitals.
Orthopaedic and surgical services are currently provided from both hospitals. Under the proposals, each hospital would become a specialist centre – Kent and Sussex Hospital in Tunbridge Wells for emergency surgery and emergency orthopaedic care; Maidstone Hospital for planned (elective) surgical and orthopaedic care. Both hospitals would retain A&E services.The IRP’s final report with its recommendations will be forwarded to the Secretary of State by the end of November 2007. The final decision on changes to services in the area will be made by the Secretary of State for Health.
[1] Consultation: A new direction for orthopaedic and surgical care
Of concern here is the statement that both hospitals retain A&E services. Under the proposed reconfiguration, Maidstone will only retain elements of an A&E service.
Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Browns Flannel on Maidstone A&E Petition
Gordon Brown has published his response to the petition against the downgrading of Maidstone A&E.
To demonstrate just how disinterested he and his Government are, they have not even bothered to find out that the KCC NHS Scrutiny Committee has already referred the decision to the Secretary of State for Heath.
The full text reads as follows
Although the Department of Health provides strategic leadership to the NHS and social care organisations in England, it is for local NHS organisations to plan, develop and improve services for local people. These bodies are therefore best placed to respond to patients' concerns and needs. However, the Government has made it clear to the NHS that any changes to the configuration of local services should not compromise patient care and should show how the quality of care will continue to improve further in the future. Local services must continue to meet patient safety requirements and the standards set in National Service Frameworks and should demonstrate how they will use improvements in medical technology and techniques in future.
The Government is halfway through a ten-year plan to provide a modern NHS, responsive to patient needs and focusing equally on promotion of health and well-being, as well as the treatment of ill health. So far, the NHS has been leading the change, focusing on increasing capacity with more staff and more facilities. As a result, hospital waiting lists are now the lowest since records began, early deaths from cancer and coronary heart disease continue to fall and patients have more choice and involvement in their own care. The White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services focuses on a strategic shift that locates more services in local communities and closer to people's homes.
Similarly, the Department of Health's clinical reports, such as Mending Hearts and Brains and Emergency Access - Clinical Case for Change outline the opportunities to change acute hospital care in order to deliver the best possible services in future. These proposals build on the improvements that have already been made to health and social care and will reinforce the Government's existing programme of reform.
Plans for the future configuration of acute services provided across the south east have not been determined at a national level. Any proposals for change that may be put forward by local NHS organisations will be subject to extensive consultation with local people. This discussion phase will inform the proposals, and any significant service changes proposed will be subject to the full public consultation which is expected to take place in the autumn. The decision for the future service pattern will then rest with the Primary Care Trust (PCT), which will analyse the responses and decide which course of action to take.
Should formal public consultation be required, the PCT's final decision will be subject to scrutiny from the local authority overview and scrutiny committee (OSC), which is made up of elected local councillors.
If the OSC determines that the consultation has been inadequate or that the proposal itself is flawed, it can refer the decision to the Secretary of State who has committed to asking for an independent expert clinical opinion form the Government's Independent Review Panel for any cases referred to him.
To demonstrate just how disinterested he and his Government are, they have not even bothered to find out that the KCC NHS Scrutiny Committee has already referred the decision to the Secretary of State for Heath.
The full text reads as follows
Although the Department of Health provides strategic leadership to the NHS and social care organisations in England, it is for local NHS organisations to plan, develop and improve services for local people. These bodies are therefore best placed to respond to patients' concerns and needs. However, the Government has made it clear to the NHS that any changes to the configuration of local services should not compromise patient care and should show how the quality of care will continue to improve further in the future. Local services must continue to meet patient safety requirements and the standards set in National Service Frameworks and should demonstrate how they will use improvements in medical technology and techniques in future.
The Government is halfway through a ten-year plan to provide a modern NHS, responsive to patient needs and focusing equally on promotion of health and well-being, as well as the treatment of ill health. So far, the NHS has been leading the change, focusing on increasing capacity with more staff and more facilities. As a result, hospital waiting lists are now the lowest since records began, early deaths from cancer and coronary heart disease continue to fall and patients have more choice and involvement in their own care. The White Paper Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: a new direction for community services focuses on a strategic shift that locates more services in local communities and closer to people's homes.
Similarly, the Department of Health's clinical reports, such as Mending Hearts and Brains and Emergency Access - Clinical Case for Change outline the opportunities to change acute hospital care in order to deliver the best possible services in future. These proposals build on the improvements that have already been made to health and social care and will reinforce the Government's existing programme of reform.
Plans for the future configuration of acute services provided across the south east have not been determined at a national level. Any proposals for change that may be put forward by local NHS organisations will be subject to extensive consultation with local people. This discussion phase will inform the proposals, and any significant service changes proposed will be subject to the full public consultation which is expected to take place in the autumn. The decision for the future service pattern will then rest with the Primary Care Trust (PCT), which will analyse the responses and decide which course of action to take.
Should formal public consultation be required, the PCT's final decision will be subject to scrutiny from the local authority overview and scrutiny committee (OSC), which is made up of elected local councillors.
If the OSC determines that the consultation has been inadequate or that the proposal itself is flawed, it can refer the decision to the Secretary of State who has committed to asking for an independent expert clinical opinion form the Government's Independent Review Panel for any cases referred to him.
Friday, 13 July 2007
A and E downgrade petition
Come on Maidstone
Say NO to A&E cutbacks
As of 13th July 9 pm 1041 have signed the PM's petition against Maidstone Hospital downgrade.
I urge everyone who visits this site to sign the petition.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/MaidstoneAandE/
Maidstone Borough Council's External scrutiny committee produced a highly recommended report on this subject. (I must confess that I was part of the committee that produced this report.)
to obtain a copy on-line please contact
mailto:angelataylor@maidstone.gov.uk
Say NO to A&E cutbacks
As of 13th July 9 pm 1041 have signed the PM's petition against Maidstone Hospital downgrade.
I urge everyone who visits this site to sign the petition.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/MaidstoneAandE/
Maidstone Borough Council's External scrutiny committee produced a highly recommended report on this subject. (I must confess that I was part of the committee that produced this report.)
to obtain a copy on-line please contact
mailto:angelataylor@maidstone.gov.uk
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)