NHS watchdog plan ‘a recipe for disaster’
Why do we never allow any structure around local health scrutiny – surely a really important function – to settle down? This article provides a very good example of how local authorities, under-funded in the first place to resource roles like this, get the blame instread of the real culprit (Central Government) when costs rise and funding falls for them. It says
“Local HealthWatch bodies are the latest attempt to involve patients and the public in running the NHS. Since community health councils were scrapped in 2003 – to widespread consternation – these groups have been revised several times. HealthWatch organisations will replace Local Involvement Networks (LINks) – themselves only three years old – and take on additional responsibilities.
But experts say Mr Lansley’s words are hollow because they are being given no extra funds and the money which does exist is not being ring-fenced. Last year English councils cut budgets for LINks by almost a quarter. Malcolm Alexander, who chairs them at a national level, said nine cut budgets by 50 per cent or more, while only six of 150 councils left them alone.”
I suspect the impact of the rural premium on our membership will mean that it is harder to resource this function, whatever the latest deck chair Central Government has created for it is, than in many urban areas.