A FINANCIAL HEALTH WARNING FOR THE HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
March 7, 2005 12:00 AM
Speaking in support of the NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee's Financing of the Health Economy update Report 2004/5 at today's meeting of KCC Cabinet, Geoff Rowe, Liberal Democrat Spokesman for NHS Health, identified the five pressures that would make it difficult for Kent's Health Economy to achieve financial balance, over the next accounting period.
Geoff said: "These are:
a) the European Working Time Directive which allows junior doctors to work no more than 56 hours per week;
b) the new General Medical Services Contract allowing doctors to opt out of providing out-of-hours services for patients and the need to provide out-of-hours services to compensate;
c) the new consultants contract;
d) the new career structure for NHS workers; and
e) payment by results.
"Additionally, I have identified that the new Quality and Outcomes Framework proposals, whereby GP Practices receive funding based on achieving targets, is only 75% funded by central government, the remainder having to be borne by the local health economy Primary Care Trusts."
Geoff further stated that The NHS Overview and Scrutiny Committee should give a vote of thanks to Patient and Public Involvement Forums for their tremendous help in serving the wider communities' interests on this select committee.
The Cabinet noted the warnings from the Committee that all Primary Care Trusts, and Maidstone Weald PCT in particular, will need to improve their financial plans to break even for the financial year 2004/5. The Committee noted this would require great effort and "is not without risk".