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V25-699 : JAMES PAGET HEALTH CARE NHS TRUST - PROGRESS REPORT

Mr. John Wells, Chairman, and Mr. Mike Pollard, Chief Executive, were welcomed to the meeting to present a progress report on James Paget Health Care (JPHC) NHS Trust's progress since the apportionment of services of the former Anglian Harbours NHS Trust in September 1996.

Mr. Wells thanked Waveney for the opportunity to relay the successes since the formation of the JPHC Trust, which had taken in Lowestoft Hospital. Already Pakefield Ward was to see the introduction of orthopaedics in 1998, and Corton Ward was also to be updated. The Hospital now had a secure long term future.

Mr. Pollard had two facets to relate; a look back at the success of the Trust in the first year, and a look forward, more apprehensively, to concerns for the future.

Looking back, JPHC had achieved some of the lowest administration costs across the board in the National Health Service, operating with just five full time career positions. They had achieved superlative results in the patients charter in the last four years under their new title and previously as James Paget Hospital Trust, twice finishing top, once second and once third. They had received an accolade from the King's Fund, and also the Health Promoting Trust award for the whole of the Anglia/Oxford region. JPHC had achieved more new services, had expanded and consequently had treated more patients, all within a well balanced budget.

Even the unfortunate cervical smear re-tests issue had brought plaudits for James Paget's quick response in dealing with the concerns and the speed of the re-examination process.

Mr. Pollard reminded Committee of the demise of Anglian Harbours NHS Trust, which had arrived on Friday 13 September 1996. He felt they had always known they were vulnerable and weak. As a result of their demise 61 Managers were eventually to be made redundant.

Moving on, on 5 February 1997 Anglian Harbour's services were split up, with JPHC given the responsibility for Lowestoft Hospital, and south-west Waveney's hospitals and Community Services going to the Allington Hospital Trust of Ipswich. Mr. Pollard stressed that Allington would work with JPHC, not against. On a personal level he felt he had received more sense from Allington in five months than he had with Anglian Harbours in five years.

As regards the future, Mr. Pollard envisaged three problems. Firstly there was the financial position of Suffolk Health Authority (SHA). Trusts were now having to talk to them of 'disinvestments', which he interpreted as SHA ceasing to invest in underused facilities. He reminded members that the savings made from the demise of Anglian Harbours had not been proportioned back to the local hospitals they served, but had been utilised across Suffolk in general.

Secondly he envisaged an NHS funding crisis in the short/medium term. The fundamentals were that more resources were needed, but no Government would wish to be seen upsetting the boat by tax increases to fund this.

The third issue was that of 'Deprivation in Lowestoft'. He welcomed that at last SHA and Suffolk County Council had started to do something as regards the premature death rate and morbidity in Lowestoft. This factor was a brake on the regeneration project now in operation. A well orchestrated campaign was needed from all concerned in health matters along with political and professional pressure. On this and other matters in the past, Mr. Pollard was indebted for Waveney's support.

Councillor Taylor asked were the 'stakeholders' to be kept informed of the disinvestment Mr. Pollard had mentioned? Mr. Pollard replied that SHA's 'investment' plan was about to be circulated to all interested parties.

Councillor Goldsmith welcomed the links built between JPHC and the Allington Trusts, especially as regards Southwold Hospital.

The Chairman thanks Messrs. Wells and Pollard warmly for their attendance and presentation, and reminded members of the forthcoming JPHC AGM to be held on 23 September at 7.00pm.

Volume 25 Minute 699

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