Patient care at Thame not effected by new contract says NHS Bucks
TODAY NHS Buckinghamshire presented the findings of a review panel into changes to medical cover at Thame Community hospital and others within its remit, and the panels recommendations.
The PHOSC (Buckinghamshire Local Authorities Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Public Health services)considered the findings of the panel and agreed by way of vote that the change in contract for GP cover from local GPs to a private company, did not detrimentally effect patient care, nor was it substantial enough to have warranted public consultation.
These conclusions are directly opposed to the views of the Thame public, local GPs and The Friends of Thame Community Hospital, who collected around 4,000 signatures to have medical cover returned to the local GPs and for the new contract to be reviewed.
The PHOSC also asked that NHS Buckinghamshire return at a future date to present progress reports on eight recommendations to the committee.
NHS Buckinghamshire Chairman, Stewart George, said: “NHS Buckinghamshire will continue to carefully monitor the quality of care under the new GP contract now that the Buckinghamshire Public Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee has upheld the findings of the independent panel.
“I look forward to receiving the formal requests from the Buckinghamshire PHOSC on how we will proceed with the recommendations outlined in the independent review.
“I also recognise that we didn?t do a good enough job in communicating with our patients, public and GPs and that we must improve the way get information to and from all stakeholders in the future.”
THE RECOMMENDATIONS
Recommendation 1 – Substantial variation (Ed. Hospital supporters claimed that the Bucks PCT’s proposed reduction in medical cover hours constituted ‘a substantial’ change and such should have gone to public consultation)
“There are different perceptions as to what constitutes substantial variation. A tool is needed to help identify what constitutes substantial variation, which could be applied in the future. Other areas use such tools and NHS Buckinghamshire should discuss these with Buckinghamshire Overview and Scrutiny Committee with the aim of agreeing such a tool.”
Recommendation 2 ? Number of hours of medical cover
“The tender was offered on a lower and higher hour basis dependent on the size of the ward (4/5/8 and 8/10/16 hours a week). The contract was agreed on the basis of the lower level. While this might be sufficient once the nurse-led model is fully developed, it was felt the hours needed to be re-negotiated for a temporary period on an individual hospital basis while this development occurred. It is proposed that the contract for medical cover has flexibility based on learning from experience. The starting point could be that the medical cover is provided between 4/5/8 and 8/10/16 hours a week while the nurse development programme is completed in order that the units can become mature enough to be fully nurse-led units. A timescale should be agreed for this transition period and the service continually reviewed to ensure the contract meets service requirements. As The Practice plc would have been awarded the contract on the basis of either the lower or higher number of hours, there is no reason to re-tender the medical cover.”
Recommendation 3 ? Multidisciplinary team working
“The doctors providing medical cover should discuss with the nurses how best to enhance their team working, including the points in 5.6.”
Recommendation 4 ? Future role of community hospitals
“There is an urgent need for NHS Buckinghamshire to define the role for its community hospitals within its commissioning strategy. If this results in a significant change in the level of community beds this would need to be taken account of in the hours of cover provided in the future.”
Recommendation 5 ? Links with local GPs and League of Friends
“NHS Buckinghamshire and Community Health Buckinghamshire should explore ways of creating closer links with each community hospital?s League of Friends and local GPs.”
Recommendation 6 ? Provision of information
“NHS Buckinghamshire should immediately carry out an awareness raising campaign aimed at both the public and health professionals to publicise and explain the services provided at each community hospital.”
Recommendation 7 ? Patient and public involvement
“CHB should have involved patients or carers in the drawing up of the service specification. The PCT should re-double its efforts to ensure patient and public involvement informs its commissioning of services.”
Recommendation 8 ? Accountability to the Board
“Community Health Buckinghamshire should report back to the Board of NHS Buckinghamshire after three months to confirm that all identified issues have been addressed.”
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