8:53am Friday 19th October 2007
Two MPs have called for the man in charge of Watford General Hospital to resign, after the release of a damning report into the state of affairs at the local health trust.
West Hertfordshire Hospital's NHS Trust was ranked as one of the worst performing trusts in the country in a study released yesterday.
The quality of service and financial management of the trust, which operates Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, were rated as "weak" - the lowest possible rating - in a report by the Healthcare Commission.
This is the second year running the trust has received a "double weak" report, one of only four across the country.Despite Following the release of the report, Watford MP Claire Ward and Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning called for trust chief executive David Law to resign.
Ms Ward, a Labour MP, described David Law's position as "untenable" and demanded a review of the trust's entire management.
She said: "There are areas where improvements have been made and no doubt David Law has helped to drive forward plans for the health campus and huge improvements for the future. But to still be in this position after two years, the (East of England) Strategic Health Authority (SHA) now needs to look at the overall management."
Hemel Hempstead's Conservative MP Mike Penning called for Mr Law's resignation and went one step further - demanding the entire board resign.
He said: "Last year's results should have prompted immediate remedial action but it appears nothing has changed."
A trust representative said the board would not reconsider its position and said improvements were being made where failings had been found. In particular, it was claimed the new elective care centre at St Albans would significantly reduce the number of cancelled operations.
Mr Law, who took on the role of trust chief executive in July 2004 and earns an annual salary of £120,000 plus benefits of up to £25,000, said: "I'm delighted that the hard work of employees across the trust, which has seen us tackle a significant financial deficit while improving services in many areas, has been recognised.
"There are exciting and ambitious plans in place and these changes can only happen with the continued dedication of staff and, while disappointing, these results increasingly highlight the need to introduce changes that enable staff to provide the consistently high-quality services that local people deserve."
To view the full Healthcare Commission report, visit http://2007ratings.healthcarecommission.org.uk/patientsandthepublic.cfm.
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anom, watford says...
11:59am Fri 19 Oct 07
Mike, Oxhey says...
12:44pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Paul, 002-047 says...
1:12pm Fri 19 Oct 07
anom wrote:So Anom, please explain why we came in the bottom 10 trusts? I see you have made no comment to the closure of HH! 15m saved at what price reduction in nursing numbers - poor elderly care - reduction in aftercare - closure of special needs departments etc.
I back Mr Law 100% he has turned the trust around in very difficult times This article is insulting to the staff that work so hard to save the 15+ million pounds whilst still improving many of the NHS targets including reducing A&E waiting times, reducing GP waiting times, reducing mortality rates from heart disease and strokes and Reducing MRSA. Why did you not report any of these positives?
Paul, Bushey says...
1:22pm Fri 19 Oct 07
anom wrote:anom - please explain why West Hertfordshire Hospital's NHS Trust was ranked as one of the worst performing trusts in the country in a study released yesterday
I back Mr Law 100% he has turned the trust around in very difficult times This article is insulting to the staff that work so hard to save the 15+ million pounds whilst still improving many of the NHS targets including reducing A&E waiting times, reducing GP waiting times, reducing mortality rates from heart disease and strokes and Reducing MRSA. Why did you not report any of these positives?
ann, West Herts says...
1:49pm Fri 19 Oct 07
anom, watford says...
2:32pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Paul, Bushey says...
2:36pm Fri 19 Oct 07
anom, watford says...
2:54pm Fri 19 Oct 07
Sally, Hemel says...
5:44pm Fri 19 Oct 07
anom wrote:Anom, that's all very well, but if like us you're in Hemel or St Albans you can't get to the fab option 1 A&E on matchday. What are we to do, plan to have our heart attacks and life threatening illnesses when Watford doesn't have a home game?
Hemel is open and as I understand it the plan is to keep it open,
Staffs have been reallocated and costly locum staffs have been stopped
Some of the departments have been moved about to improve the quality of care given overall so that most minor injuries electives and out patients are done at St Albans and Hemel and Trauma is done at Watford
Option 1 One A&E that is able to deal with any patient that may come in any condition with all the specialists available to treat any condition
Option 2 stay with 2 departments that are not as well equipped with only some of the specialists available
Michael, Hemel says...
2:42pm Sat 20 Oct 07
anom wrote:It is clear that you are not fully aware of this situation and I can suggest that you research it before more claims are made, I have been to many 'meetings / consultations' and back the MP's fully.
I think the answer is watch this space! Changes take a long time to implement and the changes take about 12 months to show up on the figures
There are exciting and ambitious plans
Michael, Hemel says...
2:55pm Sat 20 Oct 07
I think the answer is watch this space!
Changes take a long time to implement and the changes take about 12 months to show up on the figures
John, Hemel Hempstead says...
3:36pm Mon 22 Oct 07
anom wrote:Yes "anom", Hemel hospital is still nominally open but this once 400-bed hospital is reduced to little more than a cottage hospital. The spinners tell us that A&E will remain open, yes it will but only to treat cuts and bruises! Our birthing unit has been removed, our cardiac catheter unit is soon to go. Never mind, I have a box of Elastoplasts and a nice cup of tea here. This town of some 85,000 people, to become about 110,000-plus by 2020 is being treated abominably and no amount of political spin will convince us otherwise.
Hemel is open and as I understand it the plan is to keep it open,
Staffs have been reallocated and costly locum staffs have been stopped
Some of the departments have been moved about to improve the quality of care given overall so that most minor injuries electives and out patients are done at St Albans and Hemel and Trauma is done at Watford
Option 1 One A&E that is able to deal with any patient that may come in any condition with all the specialists available to treat any condition
Option 2 stay with 2 departments that are not as well equipped with only some of the specialists available
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Paul, Bushey says...
10:04am Fri 19 Oct 07
I AGREE 100% with NO SEVERANCE PAY The board think they are wrapped in cotton wool, not any more at as trust I vote for an EGM and a vote of NO confidence in ALL members