Joan Mager, Chief Executive Richmond and Twickenham PCT

Dear Joan


The NHS, its PCTs and “Localism”

This week I received the attached letter from my MP, Dr. Vincent Cable. He writes as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, and the support that he commits to the PCT initiative “Commissioning for Health in London” could not have been expressed more strongly.

1. It follows the two letters, of July 7th and 13th, that I sent to Sian Bates as PCT Chairman, of which he received copies. Sadly, I continue to look forward to a reply from the PCT, even if it is restricted, because of the pressures, to confirmation that my question to the Board – “Was the present pace of change fit for purpose?” – would be minuted and that my July 7th letter would be forwarded to the new London SHA. A reply would be appreciated since it might assist in stirring the stirrups of the voluntary sector. Your courageous initiative needs all the support that it can get.

2. This week also saw the attached report in the Aug 9th Standard on the “extra £70 million cuts” for London trusts on top of the previous £269 million. It too refers to the pace of change and quotes an unnamed trust CEO calling it “unachievable, too fast – and over-ambitious”.

2.1 Announcing cuts of £70 million – after the recess of Parliament once again and halfway through the financial year – is also strongly criticised, as “panic management on the hoof of the worst kind”. Here the fault lies with the Treasury just as much as the DoH, but how much of this £70 million is our PCT being asked to bear? One can only pray that avian flu will not hit us this winter, leading to more ward closures etc.

2.2 Vincent Cable, as Shadow Chancellor, might be expected – even before Parliament returns – to be equally trenchant on this further aspect of the Government’s failings. Today, however, comes the announcement of major new proposals from the Lib Dems on tax. Such is the way of the world.

3. Today I received the last of the consultation papers on the “National Framework for Continuing Health Care” from Nursing Director, Leslie McLennan Yeo. The distinction between eligibility and entitlement has not been made clear – a confusion on which I corresponded with the SHA Chairman last year (sadly with no support from the Council). I hope to be able to put together a response.

Forgive me, but a reply would be appreciated.

With my best wishes, your sincerely


FRANCIS KING

Copies: Dr. Vincent Cable M.P.

Susan Kramer M.P.

Gillian Norton, Chief Executive, Richmond Council

Councillor Nicola Urquhart, Chairman, Health Scrutiny Committee