Health care reforms – the state of play
While the NHS Bill is making its way through the House and we have a pause to make sure we get it right, I wanted to touch base with a number of the key people involved. First of all I wanted to see how we were getting on with regard to the establishment of a new GP consortium, responsible if the Bill goes through, for commissioning healthcare provision across Teignbridge and much more in place of the Primary Care Trust. Most of the constituency is covered by the South Devon Consortium but Starcross and Kenton fall into the East Devon Consortium.
South Devon has been identified as a pathfinder - an area to try out how the reforms might work. Dr Graham Lockerbie based in Dartmouth is leading the establishment of a shadow consortium, a consortium in waiting if you like. The decisions are still in the hands of the Devon Primary Care Trust but working alongside the new consortium. I was very lucky to meet up with him to find out first-hand how things are developing.
It was also important I felt to find out how the providers – District General Hospitals like Torbay and Primary Care Hospitals (Dawlish, Teignmouth and Newton Abbot) were moving their plans forward. Our three community hospitals are no longer run by the Devon Primary Care Trust but by Torbay Care Trust. Torbay hospital alongside the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital continue to be the main providers of secondary care. The challenge going forward is exactly what services are to be provided by each of these hospitals. Work is currently underway to look at each specialist clinical area and work out how it can best be delivered –and we really need some answers by the end of the year. I was delighted to have the opportunity of discussing progress with the chairman and chief executive of Torbay Hospital.
Social Care – the future
Social care is so important and increasingly a challenge as more and more of us need this sort of support. On Tuesday I had a very constructive meeting with a group of care and nursing home owners in Teignbridge to look at some of the issues they face. One of the issues is how we ensure social care is properly funded – a report is coming out on the issue in July which will then lead to a White Paper which will ultimately be put to parliament as a Bill. I really wanted to understand first hand what the current position was, what was working and most important what was not working. Based on what I learned I am much better placed to lobby Ministers on the issue on my return.
Earlier in the week I had the privilege of visiting the Westbank Community Health and Care Centre. It is an exemplary organisation which provides care and wellbeing services across Teignbridge and in some cases across the whole of Devon. Started originally as the brainchild of the local GP practice it has grown into a great institution. It provides rehabilitation, gym classes, playgroups and a host of activities across the generations. It helps the healthy stay healthy and supports those returning to health to do just that. It has attracted over 300 volunteers which is quite some achievement, who work alongside a professional team. The team also support carers, including over 200 under the age of 18 – they do brilliant work.
Local business
Business Buddies held their second surgery, this time in Teignmouth. Each time we meet many individuals ready to give self-employment a go – and with the right support, anything is possible. I am pleased to have had the continuing support of the local banks and business community in making this help a reality. At these sessions we also work with existing businesses to help them help each other and where appropriate find a buddy business to provide some practical hands on support and advice.
But businesses come in many shapes and sizes and you would be surprised at how many large and successful businesses started out and still remain in the area. Midas Homes is a name familiar to many of you, but I wonder if you realise that they are now a group as big as Bovis and many of the other national giants – and they are home grown in Newton Abbot. I met up with them to talk about the changes in prospect as part of the Localism Bill and what the implications of that Bill might be.
Finally I was delighted to join the Dawlish Chamber of Trade on Wednesday evening to understand their issues and concerns. It was a good meeting with a lot of lively debate.
Surgeries and Getting Together
My next surgery will be on Saturday 30th April at 10.00am at Teignmouth Library. On 7th May I will have two surgeries, the first at the Manor House in Dawlish at 10.00am and then at 12 noon at the Courtenay Centre in Newton Abbot. Please phone 01626 368277 for an appointment or for immediate help with issues that can’t wait until the next surgery. My next “Face to Face” pub meeting will be on Friday 6 June at the Old Church House Inn at Torbryan at 6.30pm –I should love to see you there so do come along for a chat!