NHS reform plans are ‘unworkable’
Government plans for a major overhaul of the NHS could cost health services in Kent and Medway £75 million, it has been claimed.
According to the British Medical Association, the costs associated with long-term reforms being implemented under what are called Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) paints a very worrying picture.
The accusations have been firmly rejected by the government and NHS England.
The BMA says in total, at least £9.5bn is needed in capital funding across the country to successfully deliver the plans.
According to its survey, Kent hospital trusts told NHS England they would need an alarming £75 million in capital funding to deliver the structural changes envisaged – on top of millions needed for a backlog of other repair work.
Last week we reported how the woman leading Kent’s STP, Dame Ruth Carnall, also runs a private consultancy firm, which was paid £1.4 million as part of the process.
BMA South East regional honorary secretary, Dr John MacKinnon said the plans were becoming unworkable.
“With NHS budgets severely strained, funding from capital budgets is often used to prop up day-to-day running costs. The reality of what is needed to implement “transformation” plans is unachievable if the government does not provide the long-term investment desperately needed.”
He said the issue highlighted a health service with little capacity to transform unless drastic service cuts were made.
Sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) have been developed by NHS and local government, with a view to health and social care leaders working together to improve care and manage limited resources.
There have been fears that the plans could lead to the downgrading of some hospitals – in the county the East Kent NHS trust said its STP would not mean the closure of any of its sites and the creation of a “super hospital” on one site.
A Department of Health spokesperson said: “We totally reject any so-called analysis suggesting mass closures of services – these plans are about local clinicians and health leaders improving cancer care, transforming mental health provision and delivering better access to GPs.”
“Any changes will have to be based on clear evidence that they deliver better care for patients, and will be subject to robust scrutiny by NHS England before being finalised.”