Today's most viewed
| NEWS | | | | | SPORT | | | | | INTERVIEWS |  | | | FEATURED ARTICLE | | | | COMPETITIONS | | | |
|
|
|
Hospital chief's "takeover" warning
BUCKINGHAMSHIRE'S hospitals could be run from outside the county unless new plans are approved, an NHS warned tonight.
Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust risked takeover from neighbouring authorities unless it became a foundation trust, said its chief executive Anne Eden.
If its did not become a foundation trust through Government approval then other trusts who had the status could assume control, she warned at a public meeting on the plans.
As a foundation the trust would have a minimum 8,000 residents and 4,000 staff as "members" who could have a greater say over how the authority operates, she said.
But many at the Wycombe Hospital meeting were sceptical of the change as thousands of views had been "ignored" over controversial changes to A&E and birthing services.
Ms Eden told the meeting: "There is two ways we can become a foundation trust. One is we put together a plan, we go through the process and get foundation trust status.
"If we are unable to do that there is a risk that we will be taken over, merged or acquired by another foundation trust."
The risk of take over by Oxford or Wexham Park trusts was "real" she said - but there was "no reason" why BHT's application could not be successful.
After a presentation by Ms Eden about the plans about a dozen questions were taken from the audience of about 30 residents.
Mary Mitchell, 62, of Barn Hill Road, Marlow drew attention to a 40,000-name petition opposing the service changes, agreed in 2005.
She said: "What guarantees have we got that you will take notice of the 10,000 who are your members?"
Trust medical director Dr Graz Luzzi said he understood the "strength of feeling" but said views in that consultation were taken on board.
He said: "Ultimately we needed to make sure we have a long-term plan for excellent services for the population of Buckinghamshire that can take us into the future."
Although asked to keep questions to the foundation trust issue concerns about the hospital came to the fore.
One asked about plans to knock down the hospital's 1960s "tower block" and sell off half the site. Services would be housed on a car park, the trust has said.
Ms Eden said this would "replace the tower block with modern, comfortable facilities that are much more fit for purpose for care I 208 rather than 1966".
Another audience member said parking at the site was a "disgrace" - Ms Eden said it was essential for this to be solved to attract patients who can now choose other hospitals.
9:39pm Tuesday 19th August 2008
Print 
Email this 
CommentPosted by: Town-man, High Wycombe on 10:37am Wed 20 Aug 08
Perhaps not such a bad thing. Better still, let's dump Stoke Mandeville. And have the South Bucks NHS Trust back. Local Health Services, run by local people for local people and accountable to local people.
Perhaps not such a bad thing. Better still, let's dump Stoke Mandeville. And have the South Bucks NHS Trust back. Local Health Services, run by local people for local people and accountable to local people.
Posted by: James Cox, London on 12:52pm Wed 20 Aug 08
[quote]quote[/quote] Re: the above comment - quite. I live in Wycombe, I don't want to go to Stoke Mandeville - it is near Aylesbury - a place I have nothing to do with. It's not as if Bucks Hospitals NHS Trust seem to have the interests of those who live in the south of the county at the forefront of their minds! So, why shouldn;t another Trust take over?
quote
Re: the above comment - quite. I live in Wycombe, I don't want to go to Stoke Mandeville - it is near Aylesbury - a place I have nothing to do with. It's not as if Bucks Hospitals NHS Trust seem to have the interests of those who live in the south of the county at the forefront of their minds! So, why shouldn;t another Trust take over?
Posted by: LARGO, Marlow on 3:06pm Wed 20 Aug 08
Anne Eden’s warning at the foundation meeting at High Wycombe hospital that the hospital trust could be taken over by another Foundation trust hospital did not tell the whole story.
It was delivered to alarm residents of Buckinghamshire and gave the impression that if they (The Hospital trust) do not get foundation status they would be taken over by another hospital body. This is not true.
This can only happen if the Hospital trust fails through not balancing the books (going into massive deficit) Anne Eden has stated that the existing trust has been in surplus for the last three years, so it does not look as if there is much chance of being taken over by another Trust.
The same situation applies to a foundation trust hospital, if it fails (by making a deficit) then the Foundation Trust can be taken over by the Government and placed into care of another body.
This is a deliberate attempt by Anne Eden to mislead the public by stating half truths; this is appalling behaviour by a professional manager and shows that her trust board are not interested in being open and honest. Which poses the question which was raised at the meeting, “Why should we trust you?”
Anne Eden’s warning at the foundation meeting at High Wycombe hospital that the hospital trust could be taken over by another Foundation trust hospital did not tell the whole story.
It was delivered to alarm residents of Buckinghamshire and gave the impression that if they (The Hospital trust) do not get foundation status they would be taken over by another hospital body. This is not true.
This can only happen if the Hospital trust fails through not balancing the books (going into massive deficit) Anne Eden has stated that the existing trust has been in surplus for the last three years, so it does not look as if there is much chance of being taken over by another Trust.
The same situation applies to a foundation trust hospital, if it fails (by making a deficit) then the Foundation Trust can be taken over by the Government and placed into care of another body.
This is a deliberate attempt by Anne Eden to mislead the public by stating half truths; this is appalling behaviour by a professional manager and shows that her trust board are not interested in being open and honest. Which poses the question which was raised at the meeting, “Why should we trust you?”
What are these links for?
If you liked this article and would like to share it with others on the web who might be searching for good content we've made it easy for you to do it.
At the bottom of all articles, you'll see links to six sites. These sites - commonly called 'social bookmark' or 'social news' sites - have large communities of web users who share and rate interesting, useful and fun things on the web.
Clicking the links will automatically add the address of the story you are reading to one of these sites, letting you share it with others. Each site will ask you to register to share stories. Registration is free and once a member, you can store, recommend and search for stories that interest you.
More on Digg
More on del.icio.us
More on Furl
More on reddit
More on NowPublic/
More on Yahoo!
