Underperforming NHS trusts threatened with takeover
pharmafile | October 18, 2007 | News story | |Â Â Â
Health secretary Alan Johnson has warned the worst performing trusts in the NHS that they could face a takeover from other trusts if they fail to improve quickly.
The warning came in response to the annual Health Check of all 394 trusts in England, which found services were improving overall, with more trusts scoring 'excellent', while fewer scored 'fair' and 'weak'.
In all, one in three trusts improved on quality of services and a similar number did so on use of resources. But the report, published by watchdog the Healthcare Commission, also highlighted a number of areas for concern.
This included the finding that one in four hospitals are failing to meet new standards on infection control.
Forty-four trusts were not complying with one or all aspects of the hygiene code, standards seen as key after a number of recent deaths from hospital infections.
Alan Johnson welcomed the overall improvement, but he has also instructed NHS chief executive David Nicholson to have an urgent meeting with the four worst performing trusts: Northern Devon Healthcare, Royal Cornwall Hospitals, Surrey and Sussex Healthcare and West Hertfordshire Hospitals.
The hospital trusts have been weak on quality and use of resources for two years running, and Johnson made it clear that improvements needed to be seen very soon.
"If this is not satisfactory we will consider more radical action. Stringent assessments would need to be made regarding the most appropriate course of action but one of the options could be takeovers by well performing trusts."
"On the issue of hospital infections, he added: Safety is my top priority. That means everyone in the NHS doing much more than in the past to get the basics right – washing hands, cleaner hospitals, more effective infection prevention."
The Healthcare Commission will re-inspect the trusts which have failed on infection control, and could even place trusts under 'special measures' if they fail to improve.
Gill Morgan, chief executive of the NHS Confederation welcomed the review and said it confirmed the service was improving overall.
She said greater local autonomy, freedom from more reorganisations and the spread of best practice were the three key factors which would bring further improvement.
Morgan concluded: "While the health check reveals that the majority of trusts are in good shape, it is important to remember that many are still financially challenged.
"Last week's comprehensive spending review poses real challenges for the NHS. Maintaining financial balance while making efficiency savings of 3%, and responding to the health needs of the population will not be easy."
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Friday, October 12, 2007
