Statement regarding financial position of local NHS

NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale logo

Following the revelation on Rochdale Online yesterday (26 February) that a damning report from NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale (NHS HMR) had been uncovered that warns of severe cuts, running into millions of pounds, to local health services, the new Chief Executive of NHS Heywood, Middleton & Rochdale Dr Julie Higgins has issued a statement regarding the financial position for NHS HMR.

Ms Higgins said: “Everyone will be aware that public sector funding will face challenges in the future. There is every chance that our budget will remain static from 2011. This means there will be no extra money for local health services above the funding we already have.

“Our job is to make sure that we use what we have in the most effective way. This means looking at everything we do to make sure we get value for money and that the services being provided give the public the health care they need.

“We will continue to make sure that patients get the right treatment, at the right time, from the right place – but we must work closely with clinical and medical staff and the public to streamline systems where it is sensible to do so.

“For instance, many people now go to A&E for minor ailments when there are other – more appropriate services – available. This costs the NHS locally, regionally and nationally millions of pounds that could be better spent elsewhere. We can make far better use of the money we have by making sure only people who need A&E treatment go there. Where an illness or ailment doesn’t require A&E specialist care we need to make sure people know how they can get the right help and advice quickly.

“The NHS cannot continue to be a “sickness service” - treating people when they become ill and needing hospital care.

“We need local people to work with us and to take more responsibility for their own health. Illnesses which are preventable, such as through smoking and drinking are a huge drain on NHS money. We also need to make sure there are even stronger systems in place to monitor the health of people who might be at risk of illness in the future.

“The NHS belongs to us all. For our part we will be working hard to make sure what we spend provides the best health care for local people. But we need local people to help us by playing their part and using services appropriately and looking at their own lifestyles.

“NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale have already made a number of significant steps towards ensuring that we are in a good position to manage finances. We have identified areas where we can work more closely with our partners including the Council to improve efficiencies – achieving maximum value for the tax payer and the patient from every penny we spend.”

www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/37397/local-health-services-facing-multimillion-pound-cuts