Andrew Turner, the Island’s MP, has called on the Government to review the level of regulation for the Island’s NHS Primary Care Trust. He brought the issue to the attention of the Minister of State for Health, Michael O’Brien MP, in a debate yesterday in Westminster Hall. The Island’s PCT is unique in that it combines both commissioning and providing functions, with all service providers falling under the remit of the Isle of Wight NHS PCT. In the Care Quality Commission’s 2009 annual health check, the Isle of Wight was one of only three PCT’s in the country to receive an ‘excellent’ quality rating. However, national monitoring of standards does not take into account the unified nature of the organisation, and instead scrutinises each part of the whole separately. This greatly inflates the number of targets and inspections and places a regulatory burden on the Island’s PCT.
Mr Turner said
- “This is a case of national priorities getting in the way of effectively responding to local needs and circumstances. The unique nature of the Island’s PCT has simply not been recognised in the national inspection regime and has led to disproportionate regulation. The Islands PCT has up to 70 external visits from 20 different regulators. On top of this, there are 28 existing and 61 new national priority targets to achieve. No other trust or PCT is subject to such intervention and bureaucracy. This takes time away from healthcare professionals – time which could be better spent on satisfying patients needs. I have pressed the Government to review whether such a level of monitoring is necessary for an organisation which exists outside the organisational norm – particularly in light of the PCT receiving an ‘excellent’ quality rating in the CQC’s annual health check.”
- Mr Turner added:
- “What is necessary is a more flexible approach. Over and over again, we see the PCT contorting to fit itself into the inspection regime, when it is the system itself which should adjust and adapt to the PCT’s circumstances. The Minister indicated that the CQC will be looking at their ‘gatekeeping rule’ to minimise the disruption from inspections. I also raised financial issues with the Minister. The CQC will require all service providers to register by October this year. But from the first of April 2011, there will be an annual fee for registration. As the Isle of Wight PCT is an amalgamation of many local healthcare providers, this could have acute financial circumstances. I asked the Minister today to ensure that the Isle of Wight PCT will be charged a proportionate amount in light of the services provided and I will continue to press the Government on this matter.”
- Link to full text of debate : http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmhansrd/cm100303/halltext/100303h0004.htm#10030359000002
