Hillingdon Hospital rumours in February 2011 and expectations ahead
RUMOUR OF A&E CLOSURE:
This rumour circulated locally at the end of February. The Gazette carried a refutation on Wednesday 23rd February and at the Board Meeting in the afternoon it was totally dismissed, which was reassuring. Where do such rumours come from?
PROGRESS TOWARDS FOUNDATION TRUST STATUS:
Other rumours had suggested that The Hillingdon Hospital Trust would not be able to become a foundation trust if the Hillingdon health economy were in financial difficulties. Since NHS London Board papers show that NHS Hillingdon is expected to end the financial year in deficit, there was cause for concern. However, at the February Board Meeting of the Hillingdon Hospital Trust, reassurance was given. David McVittie, Chief Executive, noted that NHS Hillingdon is now part of a cluster of PCTs – Ealing, Hillingdon and Hounslow – and finances are in such flux between them, that their difficulties are unlikely to impact on the hospital. The application for foundation trust status is progressing well and there is hope of success by 1st April 2011.
STRATEGIC PLAN 2011/12:
This is a comprehensive document, rolling forward the 5-year Plan agreed last year. Interesting components include: a) Expansion of the Acute Stroke Services to a 24-bedded unit with an integrated therapy suite at Hillingdon Hospital, to cater for stabilised stroke patients and “high risk” TIA patients. b) For Elective Orthopaedics the intention is to continue to develop a centre of excellence for trauma services at Hillingdon Hospital, transferring elective activity to Mount Vernon Hospital. c) Following a bidding process the Trust has been selected as one of the providers of a Paediatric Oncology Shared Care Unit, which is very welcome.
FINANCES:
Year to date financial performance in February was a surplus of £46k, 20k better than plan, and efficiency savings progressed well too, also ending the month ahead of plan. The forecast year-end financial position remains a surplus of £295k.
