Hillingdon Round-Up late March 2009

Hillingdon Hospital’s Foundation Trust application
This application is now on hold. The fact that the Trust has not met its MRSA target is a factor, but not insurmountable as the numbers are actually low. The valuation of the Trust’s estate appears to be the main stumbling block.

The Hospital Trust’s Finance
A surplus is still forecast for the end of year despite a very difficult month in February.

Hillingdon PCT’s Finance and Performance
The PCT is forecasting breakeven for 2008/09, meeting its statutory duty for the second year since 2002 – this achieved despite in-year repayment of £9m for its historic debt (leaving £35m debt to carry forward into 09/10).

On performance of national priorities and targets, Hillingdon is in the top half of London PCTs, which is very encouraging.

However there are problems between the PCT and Hillingdon Hospital over signing 2009/10 contracts – the due date was missed due to differences about coding and local prices for non-tariff services. NHS London has asked both parties to resolve their differences locally.

PCT’s Commissioning Strategy
Preliminary results from the World Class Commissioning process showed Hillingdon PCT’s scores to be mid-table for London, with it named as an exemplar by NHS London for information based decision-making. This accolade is very sweet in view of the PCT’s chequered history.

NHS London is working with all 31 PCTs to implement sector commissioning arrangements. The North West London Commissioning Partnership, an acute services commissioning vehicle covering 8 PCTs - Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster - expects to go live on 1st July 2009.

Third Runway at Heathrow
In response to the PCT’s letter, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Transport has confirmed that a formal health impact assessment will need to be conducted as part of any planning application by BAA, if further development were to be supported by the government. He reiterated the government’s firm commitment that Heathrow will not be extended until the air quality and noise limits have already been met.

PCT’s Premises
The PCT’s Public Health and Joint Commissioning teams moved to the Civic Centre on 16th March, signifying the PCT’s intention to work jointly with London Borough of Hillingdon.

Provider Services
By end of March the PCT’s Provider arm expects to be accredited as an Autonomous Provider Organisation (APO) ready to start operating independently, although still a sub-committee of the PCT operating with delegated powers. Its key priorities for investment in 2009/10 are: safeguarding children and adults, health visiting, speech therapy, community dentistry and TB.

Joan