21 March 2008
An independent report has uncovered 'serious and serial failings' at Brent Primary Care Trust in Northwest London.
The London Strategic Health Authority's report, published on March 18, reveals a debt of £25m at the organisation and says financial scrutiny at the PCT was superficial and failed to heed earlier warnings from auditors.
An investigation into the organisation's financial management found that, despite predicting a surplus of £2.8m in May 2006, the PCT had not paid creditor invoices, nor had savings plans been achieved.
The review, carried out by independent investigator Michael Taylor, showed the non-executive arm of the PCT had failed to act on auditor warnings about deficient practices and inadequate controls.
Taylor said the PCT, which was known to be innovative, was 'unable to reconcile this with finite resources and the effective monitoring of performance'.
A new management team drafted into the PCT said they had since 'overhauled' financial systems.
The huge deficit has meant cuts in local GP services, school nurses, smoking cessation services, sex and alcohol advisory services and physiotherapy services for children with special needs.
Brent PCT's new chief executive, Mark Easton, said: 'Since the events described in the report, a new board has been put in place, and we have overhauled our financial and management systems.
'Our turnaround programme has put the trust back into financial balance.'
PFmar2008
