Patrick Newman's Comments
Comment on: HSJ Live 18.1.2013: Commissioning board launches emergency care review
The Stevenage Surgicentre may be considered as a development of the ISTC idea - built and run by Carillion on a contract managed by the DH delegated to Herts PCT but which the local CCG is refusing to manage. So bad has been the performance that both the LMC and recently the PCT are no longer recommending referrals. How will these centres be managed in the future especially when there are severe performance issues?
Comment on: Nicholson seeks "legitimacy" amidst a storm of protest
If as reports suggest that Nicholson is fingered by Francis it is difficult to see how he will survive and if he does will it be in the form of a disabled duck. To get a 'grip' whoever is in charge of the NHSCB will have to renationalise the FT's who are now considered as subject to OFT regulation as if they are players in a free market - the nadir of the NHS. Which brings us back to Mid Staffs who were going through the throes of becoming an FT and (subject to Francis) may not have been entirely in touch with the inconvenience of having to deal with those pesky patients who were being 'slaughtered in their hundreds' Nicholson is the devil we know. I dont want to think what Hunt will give us in his place.
Comment on: A perfect storm of NHS scrutiny
The Francis report will be a watershed for NHS care but it should not be glossed over that Mid Staff were going through the throes of becoming a FT when the breakdown in care occurred. This does not explain events or excuse individuals but there are lessons for trusts aspiring to such status and the preoccupation of senior management with general financial performance will be widespread in 2013.
Comment on: Staff should be protected from 'never events'
Mistakes and negligence seem to be pursued with equal ferocity in investigations. Reminds me of the old definition of audit - they enter the scene and bayonet the wounded.
Comment on: Joint commissioning reforms 'are disruptive'
So does it make more sense to tackle the issues of integration and innovation at the operational and organisation level (or contractor based to use the internal market term).
Comment on: Older people 'betrayed over social care'
With the cap set at Dilnot's £35,000 the annual cost would be £1.7bn or a quarter of one percent of public spending. If we had avoided the Afghan war the finance would have paid for 10 years of social care for the elderly. As ever it is a question of political priorities more than resources.
Comment on: Stress levels on the rise in Britain
The current economic stress factors are layered on the more underlying stresses found in work, particularly in certain occupations like fast moving consumer services. Employers should do more to counter excessive pressure and its ugly sibling - bullying. NHS to note.
Comment on: Redundancy threat for 3,500 NHS managers
One cant help wondering just how much this unnecessary top-down change will cost The figures of staff affected above gives a glimpse of just how large the changes are but the gains have yet to be proven. The disruption and stress will continue well beyond vesting date. For many GP's this new roil will take them into uncharted waters and how will they cope with not being the patients' 'good guy'?
Comment on: Redundancy threat for 3,500 NHS managers
One cant help wondering just how much this unnecessary top-down change will cost The figures of staff affected above gives a glimpse of just how large the changes are but the gains have yet to be proven. The disruption and stress will continue well beyond vesting date. For many GP's this new roil will take them into uncharted waters and how will they cope with not being the patients' 'good guy'?
Comment on: How CCGs can build leadership capacity
Ms Brown must have emptied her draw of clichés, platitudes and tautologies and parcelled it up in motherhood and apple pie. How about addressing the skills and knowledge gap for the G.P.'s and other health workers who will direct the CCG's (in some cases manage) or work with them. I dont see much in train for these needs. I would expect to find leadership at all levels in any organisation.
