Questions over NHS funding
● A MINISTER has said NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group’s budget will increase by £5.5m to £202m in 2018-19.
Steve Brine, parliamentary undersecretary for health and social care, revealed the figure in response to a written question from Halton MP Derek Twigg.
He said the cash equates to a 2.77% boost.
The sum will offer some hope that Halton CCG might be able to plug its £9.3m deficit and avoid being scrapped or merged. Mr Twigg has been pressing ministers for their assessment of the financial sustainability of the group, which is a alliance of general practitioners who decide how to spend the borough’s health budget.
His fears were sparked in part by the CCG’s deficit and a delay in appointing a permanent chief officer following the departure of Simon Banks last year, with the role still held by an interim chief officer, who is also the chief officer of Warrington CCG.
Mr Brine has told Mr Twigg in reply to a separate question that NHS England is ‘content with the current arrangements’.
In answer to his query about funding, Mr Brine said: “NHS England and NHS Improvement recently published shared planning guidance, in which it was announced that the resources available to clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in 2018-19 will be increased by £1.4bn.”
He added: “NHS England advises that the CCG can reasonably be expected to set a plan to live within its means.” ● ●
INFANT mortality may have risen in Halton. Figures published by the Office For National Statistics (ONS) suggest the rate in 2016 may have risen to the highest level since 2010.
According to ONS child mortality data, there were four deaths per 1,000 babies under 12 months of age in 2016, the year for which the most recent data is available.
The previous year there were 3.4 deaths registered per 1,000 babies in 2015 and up from 1.9 in 2014.
In earlier years, the numbers had fluctuated down from a peak in 2010 of six per 1,000, when the earliest data is available.
The ONS has warned that the figures for 2016 and the earlier statistics are slightly different in that the latest figures record ‘occurrences’ whereas the older figures record the number of registered deaths and therefore might be lower than the true number of occurrences due to any delay between time of death and registration.
Any rise in Halton would reflect a national trend in child mortality, after the ONS reported a small rise across England and Wales.
It said the national rates remain low in historic terms.
Halton’s child mortality rate of four was also lower than the North West average of 4.9.
A joint statement issued by Halton Council and NHS Halton Clinical Commissioning Group said the number of infants who die in the borough is ‘relatively small’ and similar to the England average, but each one remains a ‘tragedy’.
It said there has been a general downward trend in Halton over the last decade.
The statement said: “There are many different reasons that babies die and there are some conditions that babies are born with that are life-limiting and can’t be prevented.
“Over the last few years we have worked with colleagues across the North West to identify good practice to minimise infant mortality in the local area.
“This work has identified factors that can be prevented which increase the risk of infant mortality including co-sleeping, smoking during pregnancy, obesity and safeguarding concerns.
“Breastfeeding was identified as protecting against infant mortality.
“For anybody who is planning on having a baby then it’s a good time to think about making some of those lifestyle changes you’ve been putting off.
“If mum and dad are fit and healthy at the time of conception and through pregnancy then this really helps the health of the baby.
“Lifestyle changes to think about include the normal healthy living advice, such as healthy eating, achieving a healthy weight, drinking sensibly and giving up smoking.
“It is also advisable that women who are trying to get pregnant take a daily supplement of 400mcg of folic acid, which can help to prevent birth defects.”
It added: “In Halton there are local services to help you make positive lifestyle changes, these include the Health Improvement Team, Active Halton and lifestyle services.
“Once you get pregnant, there is also a lot of support available.
“Booking to see a midwife early on in pregnancy means that mum and baby can be monitored and any problems picked up early.
“All pregnant women in Halton are offered a baby box, with further information. Pregnant women and their partner are invited to attend ‘your baby and you’ antenatal sessions, which provide lots of useful help and advice on how to have a healthy pregnancy, planning the birth of the baby and parenting.
“The Health Improvement Team can also provide breastfeeding advice and support.
“For more information on health improvement services please contact 0300 029 0029.”