In 2011, we attended Kent and Medway LINks events on the proposed integration between ourselves and Medway NHS Foundation Trust. Both events were very successful, with many constructive questions and comments being raised. As a result of the large number of comments, we were unable to answer them all in the time available during the events and committed to responding to them publically at a later date.
LINks kindly compiled the questions they received and shared them with us at the end of last year. You can download our full response by clicking here. These responses are accurate at date of publication (January 2012), but please keep checking these webpages for updates as our plans progress.
The main themes arising from the questions and comments were:
Transport
Many people asked about transport links between the hospitals. We know that transport issues are a real concern for local communities. The vast majority of patients will continue to access their usual services at their local hospital and so we do not anticipate a significant increase in patients needing to move between the hospitals. However, this is something we are discussing with our clinicians as they plan for their services, to ensure we are aware of when patients may need to travel between the hospitals. Bus companies and key personnel within the main local authority are aware of the proposed integration. We plan to discuss this further with them. We are also giving consideration to a shuttle bus between sites which can be used by patients and staff.
Finance
A number of people were concerned about the financial position of both hospitals. Integrating the two organisations will result in a better financial position, than if the Trusts remained separate. This is because of the benefits that can be realised. Economies of scale, efficiencies and removal of duplication are just three financial benefits of integration that will enable the new trust to be financially sustainable. Alone, each trust could not achieve this and would find it increasingly difficult to safeguard their existing services.
We have developed a robust financial plan for the new trust. It has been rigorously tested internally, and will be equally tested externally by the official bodies we submit our plans to. We must be able to demonstrate that the new trust would be financially sustainable in order for us to proceed with integration.
Staffing issues
Concerns were raised that management can be reduced too much. The number of management positions will be benchmarked against top performing hospitals to ensure that the integrated Trust is not too lean or fat in management positions. There will be careful planning and implementation of new structures to remove the risk of a detrimental impact on service delivery. By ensuring that our organisation’s structures are sensible and that our staffing numbers compare favourably against other top performing hospitals, we think that we will be able to get the balance right.
Clinical issues
Several comments centred around which services will be where. Core services, including full consultant-led A&E, maternity, children's and outpatients' services will remain on both sites, along with those services that enable them to be delivered fully. We are planning to develop new specialist services, which are not currently available at either hospital. These are likely to be situated on one site. We are committed to informing and engaging with our patients and the public over our plans and will be open and transparent about our plans as they develop.
Communications and engagement
Thank you very much for the many suggestions made in response to the discussion question on how and what to publicise about the integration. We are using your suggestions to ensure we are effectively communicating with the public about the integration.
We hope that you have found this information useful and reassuring. We welcome further comments and questions and can be contacted by:
Email – bettercaretogether@nhs.net
Telephone – 01634 830000 ext. 6761
Post – Transition Team, Management Offices, Medway NHS Foundation Trust, Windmill Road, Gillingham ME7 5NY
