9 November 2010
Proposed reforms to the structure of the NHS risk becoming little more than another expensive and time-wasting reorganisation, primary care trusts have warned.
The NHS Confederation PCT Network says the reform timetable in June’s revised Operating Framework ‘increases pressure to focus on process issues’ rather than improving services.
In Transfer and transform – the challenges for community health services, a briefing paper published today, the network describes an April 2011 deadline for PCTs to transfer community services to outside providers such as NHS acute trusts, mental health trusts or private providers as ‘extremely challenging’. It expresses concern that some PCTs might miss the date.
‘There is some risk of making decisions to fit the timetable rather than making the right decision,’ the paper says.
The document highlights issues in July’s health white paper that have still to be resolved – particularly around transferring buildings from PCTs, which are to become defunct by 2013, to the new GP-led commissioning consortiums that will take their place.
The PCTs also warn against underestimating the complexity of the services to be transferred, which can include support for patients with long-term chronic conditions, home treatment and preventative care.
‘In the flurry of activity surrounding the process of setting up new community organisations or transferring services… it is important not to lose sight of the underlying reason for undertaking these changes,’ the paper says.
‘The point is to transform services to improve quality, patient experience and efficiency. Transferring services without the accompanying transformation, even if not immediately, is a waste of time, effort and considerable resource.’
David Stout, director of the PCT Network, welcomed the renewed focus on community services, and emphasised their importance in improving patient care.
‘We must not forget that in the midst of these changes, NHS organisations still need to make significant savings,’ he said. ‘These services must be able to truly transform the way patients receive care while at the same time doing more for less money.
‘If this is not achieved on a broad scale, all we will have will be another expensive reorganisation.’
