Issue - meetings

To discuss how NHS Haringey would ensure strong local presence.

The Committee received the briefing and local organisational chart (Pages 5 and 7 of the agenda pack), introduced by Ian Wilson (Chief Executive – Whittington Hospital).  Mr Wilson explained that due to financial pressures the 31 Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) had been merged into 6 London cluster groups. 

Haringey was to be merged into a cluster with Barnet, Enfield, Haringey, Camden and Islington. Most  services would be centralised and based at Stephenson House in Euston and each borough would have a local presence as shown for Haringey in the diagram on Page 7 of the agenda pack, which was planned for implementation on 1^st April 2011.  Mr Wilson acknowledged the Committee’s concerns that local knowledge would be lost and reported that the NHS Haringey Borough Director would experienced in quickly learning about local areas.  NHS staff were recording what they were working on so that effective handover notes would be available to new staff. Some PCT/ NHS staff would remain in the Borough as would some functions including support to the GP Consortia and local community services such as children, adult, mental health and dental services and health education.

The Committee noted that buildings currently leased by the PCT would be transferred to the providers who will take over the services but would remain in the name of Haringey.  PCT powers would be transferred to a Structure Sector Board, which would include Haringey-specific non executives.

The new Chief Executive of the Whittington Hospital, Yi Mien Koh, would be invited to the next health Overview & Scrutiny Committee to discuss community health issues and how homogeneity of service across the Borough would be ensured (Action No. 206.5).

RESOLVED to note the briefing.