Reed Looks At Options For The Bradgate Ward

Loughborough MP Andy Reed has expressed concern with the news that Charnwood & North West Leicestershire Primary Care Trust has overspent by £3 Million (just over 1%). Of further concern to Reed is the fact the elderly mental health services appear to be bearing the brunt of proposed savings. In a recently published consultation document (editors see note (a) below), three options were identified all of which looked at the services provided by the Bradgate Ward at Loughborough and the Thringstone Ward at Coalville which provide for older people with mental health problems.

Reed said “Managing growth is more difficult and more skilful than maintaining the status quo. Every pound of the extra investment must count towards patient care.”

Last year the PCT received an extra £17 Million, representing an increase of 9.2%, this year they received another increase of £17 Million, +8.5% (editors see note (b) below).

There is more money than ever before for the NHS nationally thanks to Labour’s record investment. Funding has increased from £34.7 Billion nationally in 1997/98 to £69.7 Billion in 2004/05. By 2007/08 spending on the NHS will have increased to over £92 Billion – treble what it was when we came to office. We need to match this record investment with modernisation and reform to meet our targets on waiting lists.

Care of older people with mental health problems has not overspent. The consultation document did not look at the areas of overspend. Reed introduced Option 4 – Make the savings elsewhere, preferably in a non-clinical area.

Reed stated “Under the old system, financial problems were hidden and hushed up, usually by moving money to areas with overspends. Now money is not being moved around the system to bail out organisations with deficits.”

Next year the PCT will receive a substantial £39 Million rise, 17.8%. It is planned to give an extra £26 Million more in 2007/08 or 10.1% more (note (b)).

“The PCT must surely have a short-term budgetary estimation glitch, not a long-term chronic financial illness” said Reed.

Reed’s Constituency Office in Loughborough is continuing to monitor the situation and keep in contact with patients, carers and relatives.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

(a) Charnwood and North West Leicestershire NHS Primary Care Trust “Consultation document on the provision for older people with mental health problems within Coalville and Loughborough Community Hospitals”, Carol Wileman November 2005.
(b) Figures from the Special Advisers, Department of Health, 12.12.2005