Mark Garnier attended this morning's primary care trust board meeting, catching up on the work of the Worcestershire Primary Care Trust. Kidderminster and Wyre Forest was on the agenda as the meeting needed to agree the initiation of the Kidderminster Health Services Project, tasked with job of reviewing and indentifying the most appropriate model of service provision and means of delivery for Wyre Forest's residents.
This is the start of a long and detailed process and it is one that Mark Garnier will watch closely.
"I am all for regular reviews of how any service, be it health or otherwise, is delivered." Says Mark. "Chief executive Paul Bates commented that this process has been started because he realised that, looking at the plethora of service providers on the Kidderminster Hospital site, it is only right that the PCT makes absolutely certain that these providers know exactly what is expected of them. I have to agree entirely with that logic.
"One of the comments to come out of the discussion is one that I am particularly supportive of, and that is the possibility of shared resources with schools. With new schools being built across Wyre Forest, the question of how these schools enlarge their role as community resources and centres has come to the fore. It is being looked at and, it is hoped, acted on that the new schools will have a medical facility included. This is not just for students but for the wider community. Not only will this offer easier access to services for families, but it will also help with the education of healthy living and preventative medicine."
On a less optimistic note was the need to look at finances. The board looked at the economic situation and, whilst assured by both political parties that there would be no cuts to services in the NHS, recognised the need to take pre-emptive action.
The expectation is based on the fact that whilst there will be no cuts as such, with an ageing population will come increased costs that may not be met as the country sorts out its debt crises. Therefore the Trust has decided to meet a target of expense cuts of £20 million for each of the next three years, totalling £60 million per year in annual costs. IN this way will the trust be able to meet increased costs for ageing patients and inflation.
"This is a very sensible approach," said Mark. "The trust is starting from a positing of financial strength and that is good. This process will look at improved quality and efficiencies and, whilst there is absolutely a guarantee from the Conservative front bench that there will be no cuts in the NHS, it makes sense to improve efficiency anyway, and to take a cautious approach. This is also something that I have every intention of following closely."