Nicholas Craig column
Apr 29 2005 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal
How is it that the Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, chosen as `hospital of the year' by the Sunday Times Good Hospital Guide last year, has had its application to become a foundation hospital put on hold?
Newcastle Trust hospitals beat 152 English NHS trusts to gain that coveted title. Twelve months later, an `independent regulator' appointed by the government has deferred the decision to give it foundation status.
This follows a decision to downgrade the hardworking hospitals within the Newcastle Trust from three stars to two stars. The Trust was penalised for readmitting too many patients as emergencies. Because the Trust insists on treating patients in order of clinical need, 0.07pc of the 180,000 outpatients had to wait longer than 26 weeks to be seen.
Achieving foundation status would have meant more freedom for the Trust, letting it choose how it spends its money and allowing it to be governed locally. Foundation hospital trusts are also able to retain surplus cash and borrow to invest in services.
Newcastle NHS Trust is one of the largest in the country, with a turnover of £570m a year and 12,000 staff. The downgrading from three to two star status has already cut its funds by £1m. It will now be a whole year before we know whether or not it can become a foundation hospital.
The Good Hospital Guide awarded Newcastle NHS Trust 10 other awards as well as `hospital of the year' in last year's competition.
The awards recognised that we live longer in our hospitals, have more doctors and nurses, wait less time than other regions, feel safer, more cared for and even enjoy better quality food.
With so much going for the trust, the moderator's decision is bewildering. South Tyneside, Gateshead and City Hospitals Sunderland have all been awarded foundation status, while the flagship Newcastle Hospitals Trust is denied the rank I believe it deserves.
The outstanding work of the Freeman, RVI, General, Walkergate and Dental Hospitals merits the praise, support and involvement of local people. Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust `combines old-fashioned public service values with 21st century innovation' according to the `hospital of the year' awards. Let's hope the staff's first-rate care and commitment to its patients means we will see it join the ranks of foundation hospital trusts at the next round.
