PCT performance ratings published

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The Healthcare Commission has published its Annual Healthcheck for 2006/2007and the results for Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale PCT are encouraging.  Overall, the PCT remains in the top third of PCTs nationally, within the top ten of PCTs in the North West and one of the best performing reconfigured PCTs in the North West.

The Healthcheck is divided into two parts – the first is how we use the funding we are given and whether we provide value for money and the second is the quality of the services we provide and commission.

For financial management and value for money the PCT was assessed as GOOD – less than 20% of PCTs achieved this level or better.

Chair of the PCT, John Pierce, said: “In terms of financial management we have shown that we provide excellent value for money to the Borough.”

““We need to remember that this PCT was only formed in the middle of 2006/2007.  For us to have achieved such good results is a great credit to all our staff and provides a very solid foundation on which we can build. ”

“Where we have not achieved the results we would have liked,  such as reducing smoking rates within the population, they are in areas where we need to work closely with our partners, local GPs, RMBC and the NW Ambulance Service,  to make real improvements.”

Trevor Purt, Chief Executive, said: “To be in the top 20% of PCTs for financial management, and one of only 56 PCTs to meet all 44 of the core standards is a reflection of all the hard work and commitment that our staff have demonstrated during a period of enormous change for the PCT.

“If I am honest, I am sure some of our staff slightly will be disappointed that some of our efforts have not been reflected in our overall assessment, in particular with regards to the new targets that we have been set”.

Many of these new targets are about lifestyles changes which take several years to effect. We also know that this is a significant challenge to us as a PCT given our starting position and the significant health issues we face across the Rochdale Borough.

“We will be working really hard together with our partners to help people to quit smoking, eat more healthily and take more exercise through our “Do You Feel Good” campaign with the council”.

“We recently issued our business plan which describes how we will contribute to improving the life expectancy of our population over the coming years – and this will help us achieve our aspirations in the future.”

The Government's core standards cover seven key areas of health and healthcare, including safety, patient focus and clinical and cost effectiveness with a total of 44 standards the PCT is required to meet.

By looking at whether organisations are meeting existing national targets set by the Government the Healthcare Commission can get a better understanding of, for example, how long patients have to wait for care and treatment in the NHS.

The Government’s new national targets are goals for the entire NHS, which aim to improve the health of the population in England. The assessment looks at the contribution of HMRPCT in meeting these new national targets.

The assessment indicates that Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Primary Care Trust performed in line with the minimum requirements and the reasonable expectations for this assessment.

Dr Sheila Will, the PCT’s Director of Public Health, in commenting on the new targets set by the Government said: The Borough of Rochdale is one of the most deprived in the country.  As a result, there are a number of areas where general health historically has been relatively poor.  Coronary Heart Disease, deaths from smoking related illnesses, diabetes and obesity are all significant local problems”.

“The new targets focus on improving the health of the public and, because of the profile of the Borough, our starting position was a long way behind some of the more affluent areas in the country”.

“We have been working very hard and we have already come a long way.  In terms of under-18 conception, recent trends have been very encouraging.  We have changed the way our Stop Smoking Service is working to encourage more people to sign up and we are working closely with the Council to increase the number of quitters. 

“We also have some exciting initiatives in relation to diet and lifestyle.  We have now recruited a team of Health Trainers who can offer advice and assistance to communities and individuals to encourage a more healthy way of living as well as major financial investment in meeting the pledges we have made to improve health”.