Issue - meetings

To consider the update from NHS Haringey on the Finance and Savings Programme.

The Committee received the update on the NHS Haringey Finance and Savings Programme, introduced by Duncan Stroud (NHS Haringey) and Ian Wilson (Chief Executive - Whittington Hospital).  It was noted that NHS Haringey received £28 million from the NHS Trust Board to cover its deficit, which meant that the budget was balanced at the end of the year.  GPs would have responsibility of managing the budget next year with support from the NHS.

In response to questions from the Committee it was noted that the few savings proposals which had been rejected had not been replaced by alternative cuts and the deficit for next year would be approximately £8 million.  Mr Wilson recognised the Committee’s concerns that some savings would have a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged groups in the community and would result in increased health costs in the longer term but emphasised that the money was not currently available and the cuts had to be made.

A member of the public raised concern that there would be a lack of computerised records of the costs of unscheduled care when functions were transferred to the North Central London cluster. Mr Wilson explained that new urgent care centres at North Middlesex and the Whittington hospitals would maintain computerised records of these services, which would cost £1 million at both sites.   There were attempts to scale back on acute care spending by negotiating contracts.   In response to questioning from the Committee Mr Wilson reported that there would be an £8 million deficit next year if the services highlighted in red on the savings schemes list were not cut.

In response to the Committee’s concerns it was reported that the GP Consortium and sector organisations will monitor that GPs were providing the services in their contracts.

That the Chair write to the Chief Executive of NHS North Central London requesting information on a quarterly basis on the specific services that GPs are currently commissioned (via their contract) to undertake and performance levels  (Action No. 208).

RESOLVED to note the report and thank colleagues at the Primary Care Trust for regularly attending Overview & Scrutiny Committees.