A changing NHS in Cornwall

The NHS has moved on since May 2010. Changes to the way that the NHS makes decisions about altering services have been made to ensure more patient and clinical involvement in a more open and transparent process. Members of staff have been given more protection if they speak out. Had these measures been in place at the time the decision to centralize some specialist cancer services across Devon and Cornwall was made, it is hard to imagine that the fear, suspicion, loss of public confidence and the cost to the tax payer of considering the resultant claims and counter claims about what actually happened would be occurring. The current situation is a damning indictment of the way the last government led the NHS.

The Verita Review was published last week, and this together with the Independent Reconfiguration Panel Report and the Employment Tribunal that considered John Watkinson’s dismissal from the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust (RCHT) have provided information about what happened in our local NHS over the past few years. The information portrays a sorry chapter in the history in the NHS in Cornwall. It demonstrates the problems that arise when there is lack of open and locally accountable decision-making.

The Coalition is determined to reform the governance of the NHS. The necessary legislation will be considered by parliament over the course of this year. I will work hard to try and ensure that our experience in Cornwall informs this work as I believe it is an essential component in driving up standards of patient care.

In the mean time, it is very important to me that if anyone has any concerns or questions regarding the Verita Review that they contact me or Andrew George MP with whom I am working on this. I am particularly concerned to ensure that all those who participated in the Review are satisfied that their evidence is accurately reflected in the final report. The RCHT have appealed the finding of the Employment Tribunal.

Once the outcome of this is reported, if there are remaining questions to be answered, I will consider how best to pursue them.