John Penrose

Conservative Party | Weston-super-Mare

Early signs of progress in local NHS

Local MP John Penrose praised the local NHS trusts today following the Healthcare Commission’s release of The Annual Health Check 2006/07 late last week. 

The ratings, published for all NHS trusts in England, show overall grades for quality of services and use of resources. The results show both North Somerset PCT and Weston Area Health NHS Trust had improved their quality of service score from ‘Weak’ to ‘Fair’ over the last year.

Mr Penrose said:

“I am encouraged by the progress that both the PCT and the Area Health Trust are making. Both of them have had problems in the past, so it's still early days, but it's still good to see progress nevertheless. It's a testament to the hard work and commitment of local health care professionals, despite the serious cash constraints they're facing.

“Weston Hospital has the second largest financial deficit for its size in the southwest, and the PCT is one of only two which are in the red as well. We're the only area facing a “double deficit” at both the hospital and the PCT together.

“The Government's own funding formula shows the PCT should be getting £9M more health cash per year."

But Mr Penrose warned that more work needed to be done though as the recently merged local ambulance service scored a rating of ‘Weak’ for both quality of services and use of resources.

He added:

“My only concern is the results for the new Great Western Ambulance Service (GWAS). As I discovered only a few months ago, since the merger of Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Ambulance Trusts, ambulance response rates in the area have dropped. I'm afraid the Healthcare Commission report doesn't really help to put local people’s fears to rest.

“I will be writing to the Chief Executive of GWAS, Mr Tim Lynch, asking for an explanation for these results.”