| Low Confidence in Primary Care Trust Management! GP Appointments ‘concern patients' the system of appointment with GPs top concerns of patients, according to a report from a Government watchdog. The Commission for Health Improvement has just issued reports on the Yorkshire Wolds & Coast Primary Care Trust (PCT) and the East Yorkshire PCY. While it praised both PCT's in some areas, the CHI report found only 37% of staff at the Wolds and Coast PCT had confidence in management. It said: “Leadership is well-liked, gentle and calm but needs to be more dynamic, effective and should be a spearhead for the organisation. Issues were also raised about the capacity of some senior management.” Yorkshire Wolds & Coast includes the coastal strip from Spurn-point to Bridlington and places such as Pocklington and Holme-on Spalding-Moor. The picture is rosier at East Yorkshire PCT, which CHI has praised for its “loyal and dedicated” staff and “strong leadership”. But there could be problems in the future because the PCT has an aging clinical staff, with many approaching retirement age. PCT's are responsible for community health services such as GP's Dentists, Pharmacists and Opticians. They also make sure hospital services are available for patients. Yorkshire Wolds & Coast Chief Executive: Adrian Smith claims the low confidence in management is improving; The Save /Support Bridlington Hospital say and so it should; Adrian Smith also said: The 37% figure is based on a staff survey in 2003 and I have just had the results for 2004 survey and it is significantly better: this time it is nearer 60%; The Save/Support Bridlington Hospital Campaign say; how can you justify figures when you are only 6 weeks into 2004; shall we do the figures again at the end of this year; don't pull our leg; Adrian. There was also criticism in the report about access to therapy services for children and continued care after leaving hospital. And it says it needs to involve patients more and that there are different ways of booking GP appointments. There was some dissatisfaction with appointments that had to be booked on the day the patient was calling. Mixed bag in CHI report: with strong leadership and loyal and dedicated staff, East Yorkshire Primary Care Trust is praised in the report. It has ‘good career opportunities' for nurses and has been innovative in developing the role of community pharmacist. But while comments in the report summary are more positive than for Yorkshire Wolds & Coast, in ratings it scores two out of four in all categories. The report expresses concern about the number of staff approaching retirement and suggests a formal recruitment and retention plan to respond to this. And it says patients should be better involved in the strategic planning of services and more regularly consulted on service. This concludes the report: East Riding Mail – 05/02/04 – The Newspaper with Impact and Style! |