CUMBRIAN MPs wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care last week, urging him to throw the might of NHS England behind North Cumbria's health trust, as it continues to improve performance.
Whitehaven and Workington MP Josh MacAlister and Carlisle MP Julie Minns wrote to Wes Streeting on March 17.
They asked the Secretary of State to provide "targeted, specialist improvement support to work alongside the trust’s leadership team."
MPs paid tribute to the "the important progress that has been made at the trust over recent months," with a "clear strategy" in place under the current leadership to stabilise services, improve organisational culture and "address long-standing performance and financial issues."
They said: "We also recognise the positive role that the Government’s renewed focus on the NHS and investment in frontline services is beginning to play in supporting local improvement."
North Cumbria Integrated Care was announced as one of five trusts set to undergo the Government's Intensive Recovery Programme on Wednesday.
MPs told Mr Streeting that while they are mindful that staff and leaders of NCIC are working "incredibly hard" to improve on performance data, "We are keen to ensure that progress is maintained, and key to this will be stability in the leadership of the trust."
They welcomed the appointment of a new trust chair, subject to final employment checks but called for "greater certainty around the length of the current secondment" of the interim Chief Executive Officer Trudie Davies.
SUBSCRIBE TO SUPPORT TRUSTED LOCAL JOURNALISM
MPs credit Ms Davies' and senior leaders with the considerable progress seen over the last six month.
But "keen to maximise the support available to the trust" and "accelerate its improvement journey," MPs called for "targeted, specialist improvement support" from NHS England.
They expressed the view that external expert input "could help identify the practical steps needed to go further and faster - strengthening operational performance, supporting clinical leadership and ensuring that the progress already underway translates more quickly into better outcomes for patients."
Trust statement
Interim CEO, Trudie Davies said: "We are pleased that some of the deep rooted challenges we have experienced historically in Cumbria have been recognised nationally and we welcome the intensive support that has been announced this morning (Wednesday).
"We have started to make some improvements in recent months and today we are hoping to approve a further £4 million investment into Urgent and Emergency Care.
"It is clear that we would benefit from additional support and look forward to understanding what we will receive to accelerate the pace of change.
Ms Davies said: "We know that NHS England have confidence in this leadership team, and this new intensive support is a once in a life time opportunity to embrace that change to deliver the best possible healthcare for the people of North Cumbria."
Measures under the support programme are tailored to each trust and while it will not be the case for NCIC, some of the trusts may see a regime change with NHS veterans brought in to turn them around.
Share