A hospital where maternity care is soon to be axed has become the first in the country to achieve the highest ratings for emergency and baby safety - reports the Manchester Evening News.
Staff at Hope Hospital in Salford have been given the coveted 'level three' safety ratings from the NHS Litigation Authority after a series of tough risk assessments.
They had to prove they have good safety policies in place, can deal with medical and maternity emergencies quickly and have improved care.
The unit is set to close by 2011 as part of a controversial shake-up of regional maternity care, but managers say staff decided to go for the gold standard to show local people the decision was not a reflection on the care they provide.
Politicians who fought to save the service commended staff for proving the unit was one of the best in Greater Manchester to have a baby - and say it makes the closure decision all the more disappointing.
Deborah Carter, the associate director of women's and child services, said: "I have to congratulate our staff, who have been working with uncertainty for years and - more recently - the knowledge their department will close.
"They made a huge effort to drive up standards to reach this very difficult target. They want people to understand the closure does not in any way reflect the level of care here."
Salford council leader John Merry, who led the campaign to save the unit, said: "I would like to congratulate staff for working hard to meet this very difficult target and demonstrating to local people they are receiving the very best care.
"This news makes the closure decision a bit more disappointing, but the skills the staff have built up will not be lost."
Almost 3,000 babies are born at Hope each year and its 12-bed special care baby unit and nine-bed neo-natal intensive care unit is one of the largest in the region.
Salford PCT is now considering funding a midwifery-led unit at Hope. Having level three status also means the trust is likely to save around £1m over the next three years - by paying lower premiums to cover itself against legal claims.
In the shake-up, maternity and children's inpatient care will be cut from 14 to eight sites at North Manchester, Stepping Hill, Tameside, Wythenshawe and Wigan, with super-centres providing intensive care for the sickest babies in Manchester, Oldham and Bolton.
Wednesday, 31 October 2007
Suffolk: Massive council cuts proposed
A multi-million-pound round of cuts in services, from buses and road maintenance to care for older people and transport for sixth-formers, are in store for Suffolk residents - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
Older people also face paying more for council-run care homes, while support for extra-curricular dance, drama and sport could also be axed.
The proposed cuts were unveiled yesterday by Suffolk County Council at the start of its budget process. The plans will be discussed at scrutiny meetings over the next month before the budget is set in February.
Under fire from opposition councillors yesterday, council leader Jeremy Pembroke stressed the proposals were subject to change, and the council did not yet know what grant it would get from the government.
However, the council is expecting to have to save £16m, though it says it is also spending £10m on extra services.
Fifty-seven jobs will be lost, on top of the nine to 31 already planned for next year.
Mr Pembroke said the most unpopular decision was likely to be £950,000 of cuts to bus subsidies, which would spell the end to 15 bus services providing 150,000 passenger trips.
Likely to be equally unpopular is a proposal for the end of free transport for 16 to 18-year-olds to sixth form or college from next September.
Old people with savings may also be charged more if they move into one of the 15 council-run care homes.
Currently, the cost is capped at the amount the council pays for private sector homes, even though the true cost of a council-run home is higher.
Those entering council-run homes who are deemed able to afford the fees face having to pay upwards of £200 a week extra, but those already in them will not be affected.
Other proposals include: Cutting the roads maintenance budget by 40pc (£1.6m), meaning unclassified roads will be left to develop potholes rather than get preventative work. Axing support services for school dance, drama, and extra-curricular sport unless schools pay for them, saving £80,000 a year for three years.
Older people also face paying more for council-run care homes, while support for extra-curricular dance, drama and sport could also be axed.
The proposed cuts were unveiled yesterday by Suffolk County Council at the start of its budget process. The plans will be discussed at scrutiny meetings over the next month before the budget is set in February.
Under fire from opposition councillors yesterday, council leader Jeremy Pembroke stressed the proposals were subject to change, and the council did not yet know what grant it would get from the government.
However, the council is expecting to have to save £16m, though it says it is also spending £10m on extra services.
Fifty-seven jobs will be lost, on top of the nine to 31 already planned for next year.
Mr Pembroke said the most unpopular decision was likely to be £950,000 of cuts to bus subsidies, which would spell the end to 15 bus services providing 150,000 passenger trips.
Likely to be equally unpopular is a proposal for the end of free transport for 16 to 18-year-olds to sixth form or college from next September.
Old people with savings may also be charged more if they move into one of the 15 council-run care homes.
Currently, the cost is capped at the amount the council pays for private sector homes, even though the true cost of a council-run home is higher.
Those entering council-run homes who are deemed able to afford the fees face having to pay upwards of £200 a week extra, but those already in them will not be affected.
Other proposals include: Cutting the roads maintenance budget by 40pc (£1.6m), meaning unclassified roads will be left to develop potholes rather than get preventative work. Axing support services for school dance, drama, and extra-curricular sport unless schools pay for them, saving £80,000 a year for three years.
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elderly care,
suffolk
Tuesday, 30 October 2007
Lincoln: Talks on county's police funding
The police minister Tony McNulty has agreed to hold further talks about giving Lincolnshire Police more money, reports the BBC.
Police officials said the force was one of the lowest-funded nationally and expects to overspend by £7m next year.
Senior officers have warned average council tax bills could rise by up to £100 per year if it does not get an increase in funding.
It is hoped further discussions will be held within the next few weeks and involve all of the county's MPs.
South Holland & the Deepings MP John Hayes said: "The Police Authority have said that this could mean cutting 364 members of police staff.
"In an establishment of something like 1163 that would, in their words, be perilous. It could mean the closure of police stations, it could mean less officers on the beat. We already have a big problem in our rural area."
Police officials said the force was one of the lowest-funded nationally and expects to overspend by £7m next year.
Senior officers have warned average council tax bills could rise by up to £100 per year if it does not get an increase in funding.
It is hoped further discussions will be held within the next few weeks and involve all of the county's MPs.
South Holland & the Deepings MP John Hayes said: "The Police Authority have said that this could mean cutting 364 members of police staff.
"In an establishment of something like 1163 that would, in their words, be perilous. It could mean the closure of police stations, it could mean less officers on the beat. We already have a big problem in our rural area."
Friday, 26 October 2007
Watford: Doubt raised over super hospital
Health campaigners have asked where the money to rebuild Watford General is going to come from following another damning report into the state of local NHS services and the resignation of the man in the charge - reports the Watford Observer.
The new report comes just days after health chief David Law resigned as chief executive of West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust.
Mr Law, the man who was in charge of Watford General for three years, quit his £120,000-a-year post last Friday evening after a report, by the Healthcare Commission, slammed the state of local health services.
The trust has been dogged by poor hospital standards and huge debts and last week was given a double "weak" rating when it came to the quality of service it provided - putting it in the bottom 5% in the country.
This week, another official health report, this time by the Audit Commission, found the trust remains £11 million in debt - one of just ten trusts across the country more than £10 million in the red.
The annual review graded trusts on a range of financial measures, including value for money and financial management.
The trust was given a "one", the lowest possible grade, meaning its finances are "inadequate".
Health campaigner Jean Brett has questioned whether the trust can now attract investment to pay for the £300million redevelopment of Watford General.
She said: "With problems like those highlighted in the Audit Commission, do they really think anybody is going to put forward the money for that trust as part of a PFI development?
"This is one more nail in the coffin for the PFI."
Watford MP Claire Ward said: "I have indicated to the Strategic Health Authority that I will not support the appointment of any chief executive who does not give full support to Watford Health Campus. This project is essential to the future development of the NHS in my constituency."
However the hypocritical Ms Ward herself is not giving all the support she could to the potential development, given she intends to quietly approve a £7bn increase in funding to the audit-failing EU when the European Communities (Finance) Bill comes before Parliament for approval.
Ms Ward can hardly claim to be standing up for local public services if she plans to support the waste of vast sums of public money on an organisation that hasn't been able to explain how the "majority" of its budget has been spent for thirteen years running.
Waste in one area of public spending - especially of sums as large as £7bn - inevitably means consequences elsewhere. If Ms Ward supports the EC (Finance) Bill, only she will be to blame for insufficient health services in Watford.
The new report comes just days after health chief David Law resigned as chief executive of West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust.
Mr Law, the man who was in charge of Watford General for three years, quit his £120,000-a-year post last Friday evening after a report, by the Healthcare Commission, slammed the state of local health services.
The trust has been dogged by poor hospital standards and huge debts and last week was given a double "weak" rating when it came to the quality of service it provided - putting it in the bottom 5% in the country.
This week, another official health report, this time by the Audit Commission, found the trust remains £11 million in debt - one of just ten trusts across the country more than £10 million in the red.
The annual review graded trusts on a range of financial measures, including value for money and financial management.
The trust was given a "one", the lowest possible grade, meaning its finances are "inadequate".
Health campaigner Jean Brett has questioned whether the trust can now attract investment to pay for the £300million redevelopment of Watford General.
She said: "With problems like those highlighted in the Audit Commission, do they really think anybody is going to put forward the money for that trust as part of a PFI development?
"This is one more nail in the coffin for the PFI."
Watford MP Claire Ward said: "I have indicated to the Strategic Health Authority that I will not support the appointment of any chief executive who does not give full support to Watford Health Campus. This project is essential to the future development of the NHS in my constituency."
However the hypocritical Ms Ward herself is not giving all the support she could to the potential development, given she intends to quietly approve a £7bn increase in funding to the audit-failing EU when the European Communities (Finance) Bill comes before Parliament for approval.
Ms Ward can hardly claim to be standing up for local public services if she plans to support the waste of vast sums of public money on an organisation that hasn't been able to explain how the "majority" of its budget has been spent for thirteen years running.
Waste in one area of public spending - especially of sums as large as £7bn - inevitably means consequences elsewhere. If Ms Ward supports the EC (Finance) Bill, only she will be to blame for insufficient health services in Watford.
Thursday, 25 October 2007
Shropshire: Council faces services overspend
Shropshire County Council is facing serious financial pressure in funding adult social care, reports the BBC.
It is forecasting an overspend of £638,000 in its budget for looking after people with learning difficulties in the current financial year.
Director of resources, Laura Rowley, said a review was under way and some vacancies were not being filled to help reduce costs.
She said as carers got older they needed more help to cope.
Financial pressure is set to increase further to meet demands for improving care for autistic people and those suffering Asperger's Syndrome, she said.
Barry Brown, whose son Stephen has Asperger's, said the current situation was unacceptable.
"When we got the diagnosis he had got Asperger's Syndrome that was the good news, because previous to that we had nowhere to turn," said Mr Brown.
"Then they said there's no services for Asperger's either in Telford or Shropshire and that's still the situation."
It is forecasting an overspend of £638,000 in its budget for looking after people with learning difficulties in the current financial year.
Director of resources, Laura Rowley, said a review was under way and some vacancies were not being filled to help reduce costs.
She said as carers got older they needed more help to cope.
Financial pressure is set to increase further to meet demands for improving care for autistic people and those suffering Asperger's Syndrome, she said.
Barry Brown, whose son Stephen has Asperger's, said the current situation was unacceptable.
"When we got the diagnosis he had got Asperger's Syndrome that was the good news, because previous to that we had nowhere to turn," said Mr Brown.
"Then they said there's no services for Asperger's either in Telford or Shropshire and that's still the situation."
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
NHS repairs 'backlog' hits £4bn
NHS trusts have a £4bn backlog of key maintenance repairs which range from fixing heating to meeting fire safety rules, reports the BBC.
Government figures suggest the backlog is eight times this year's much-heralded NHS surplus, which was achieved by making a variety of cuts.
"Backlog" repairs are those needed to bring NHS property in line with various standards.
They include repairing roofs and fixing drainage, but do not cover painting wards or replacing furniture.
It is large city hospital trusts which have the greatest backlog, according to Hospital Doctor, which first reported the details.
"The truth is that the NHS surplus, which the government enjoys boasting about, is a sham," shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said.
"Public health budgets, education and training budgets and now the basic maintenance and upkeep of our hospitals have been laundered to produce this surplus."
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said urgent maintenance work that will affect patient care "is always prioritised", but he added that making this decision was up to the local NHS trust concerned.
Government figures suggest the backlog is eight times this year's much-heralded NHS surplus, which was achieved by making a variety of cuts.
"Backlog" repairs are those needed to bring NHS property in line with various standards.
They include repairing roofs and fixing drainage, but do not cover painting wards or replacing furniture.
It is large city hospital trusts which have the greatest backlog, according to Hospital Doctor, which first reported the details.
"The truth is that the NHS surplus, which the government enjoys boasting about, is a sham," shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley said.
"Public health budgets, education and training budgets and now the basic maintenance and upkeep of our hospitals have been laundered to produce this surplus."
Health Minister Ben Bradshaw said urgent maintenance work that will affect patient care "is always prioritised", but he added that making this decision was up to the local NHS trust concerned.
Suffolk: Student bus cut fears
Students in Suffolk could become the latest victims of budget cuts after it emerged that secret discussions to cut school transport subsidies for 16 to 18-year-olds are under way - reports the Eastern Daily Press.
About a quarter of the 10,345 students of that age group in education in the county are likely to be left forking out hundreds of pounds in travel every year if the policy gets the go-ahead.
Currently, 2,200 students across Suffolk pay about £300 a year for school transport, with the remaining £300 being met by Suffolk County Council, but as part of ongoing budget cuts the council is trying to reduce its £16m school transport budget.
Sources have revealed "substantial" further savings need to be made and council chiefs are holding confidential meetings to discuss the possibility of axing post-16 travel subsidies.
Axing subsidies could save in excess of £600,000, with teenagers and parents footing the bill.
The Labour group has slammed the "tax on A-levels".
Graham Manuel, Labour's roads and transport spokesman, said: "Every parent wants their children to have the opportunity to study hard and get on in life."
A council spokesman said: "In February we reviewed home-to-school transport as part of the budget process. A policy development panel was set up to look at all aspects of the transport service provided to pupils, particularly areas of expenditure due to budget restraints. The findings will be going to cabinet in April 2008."
About a quarter of the 10,345 students of that age group in education in the county are likely to be left forking out hundreds of pounds in travel every year if the policy gets the go-ahead.
Currently, 2,200 students across Suffolk pay about £300 a year for school transport, with the remaining £300 being met by Suffolk County Council, but as part of ongoing budget cuts the council is trying to reduce its £16m school transport budget.
Sources have revealed "substantial" further savings need to be made and council chiefs are holding confidential meetings to discuss the possibility of axing post-16 travel subsidies.
Axing subsidies could save in excess of £600,000, with teenagers and parents footing the bill.
The Labour group has slammed the "tax on A-levels".
Graham Manuel, Labour's roads and transport spokesman, said: "Every parent wants their children to have the opportunity to study hard and get on in life."
A council spokesman said: "In February we reviewed home-to-school transport as part of the budget process. A policy development panel was set up to look at all aspects of the transport service provided to pupils, particularly areas of expenditure due to budget restraints. The findings will be going to cabinet in April 2008."
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