Inadequate ratings for Cannock and Stafford health groups
An organisation that is to decide on the future of healthcare in Stafford – including the A&E Department – has been rated as inadequate.
Stafford and Surround Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) is one of four health trusts in Staffordshire to have been given the rating by NHS England.
Those four - Stafford, Cannock Chase, Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire - were among only 11 CCGs out of 195 across England to be rated inadequate.
'We prioritise safety'
Marcus Warnes, accountable officer for the Staffordshire CCGs, said: “Throughout the last 12 months we have prioritised patient safety, and this is and always will be our main concern.
"I will not compromise patient safety at the expense of financial challenges; however, this is clearly something that we still need to address, not just as individual CCGs but by working together across the local healthy economy.
“As commissioners, we have a clear understanding of how we need to address our financial issues and we are working closely with our providers to do that with things like an Intelligent Fixed Payment system that has been introduced.
“The Intelligent Fixed Payment System is a new contracting approach that moves the focus from cost shifting between partners to collaboration and system cost reduction.
“Despite the financial challenges however, during this period there have been some very significant achievements that we are rightly proud of, and the ratings do not reflect the services our patients receive or the hard work and commitment of our staff.”
Patient experience improving
A statement issued by the CGGs said that patient experiences were improving across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent although finances were still strained.
It said: “The key area of concern for the CCGs rated as inadequate relate to the continued financial challenges they have faced during 2018/19.
“Although NHS England noted that Stafford and Surrounds CCG and Cannock Chase CCG met their deficit control total this year, there has been a significant deterioration in the financial position for North Staffordshire CCG and Stoke-on-Trent CCG and the underlying deficit across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent has exceeded £100 million.”
The statement added that other achievements recognised by NHS England in this year’s assessment include good progress in improving urgent and emergency care system, especially at the University Hospitals of North Midlands (UHNM), which is now one of the most improved in the country and investment in mental health services has been increased and now meets the national standard across Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
Disappointment
Councillor Tony Pearce said the news was disappointing but not a surprise.
"We’ve seen some of the decisions that have been made recently at Stafford Hospital and how it’s been run down while Stoke has become overwhelmed. So I don’t think people will be surprised," he added.
“They need to sort out what they are doing wrong and an action plan needs to done.
“I think they need to be talking to the local community, like they are with Together We’re Better. I hope they listen to local people and make the changes that are needed.
“Too many people are finding the services not adequate to their needs.
“One example is a friend of mine was expecting twins and they arranged to be at Stoke. They waited all day and then were sent to Telford. It’s just not good enough.”
However Councillor Bryan Cross said: “I’m surprised. I’ve been in that hospital last year when I had a knee replacement and I couldn’t fault it. And everyone I speak to I’ve spoken to who has been in there says it has been good too.
“What more can they do that they’re not already doing? The place has improved vastly since the bad old days.
"It’s an essential service for the people of Stafford and Surrounds. There’s new working practices and new machines. What else can they do?”
By Joe Burn, Local Democracy Reporter
