Friday, June 16, 2006
HEALTH SCRUTINY
CONCERNS ABOUT LOCAL COMMUNITY SERVICES
At the Health & Adults' and Older Persons' Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee (14th June), recently elected Lib.Dem. Councillors Sheila Smith-Pryor and John Beanse both spoke on the Savings Plan of the local Primary Care Trust.This "Financial Recovery Plan" is designed to deliver about £15 million savings; the annual budget is about £300 million.
A particular area of concern was the plan to "redesign Community Services". Sheila and John both raised their strong concerns about the cuts in front-line services this entailed - with planned reductions in the numbers of District Nurses and Health Visitors.
The Committee unanimously agreed that the plan amounted to a "substantial variation" in service and therefore required a 90-day consultation, not just 30 days as scheduled by the PCT. It is hoped the PCT will now agree to this - otherwise the Scrutiny Committee is prepared to use its powers to refer the issue to the Secretary of State.
WATCH THIS SPACE !
# posted by John Beanse @ 7:41 PM 
