Press release: Restructuring may not resolve underlying problems

19 May 2005

The Scottish NHS Confederation today (May 19, 2005) cautioned that simply restructuring organisations and tackling historic deficits risked overlooking underlying problems which need to be resolved before any lasting solution could be achieved.

Confederation Director Hilary Robertson said:  "Today's news that the accumulated deficit of Argyll and Clyde will be written off is welcome and the Confederation, like others, will take part in the consultation process.  However, our fear is that any such proposal to restructure an organisation in this way, does nothing to resolve the underlying pressures that contributed to the problems in the first place.

Most boards in Scotland face significant financial pressures arising from funding new staff contracts, the consequences of the EU working time directive, and from rising prescribing costs.  Added to this, projects planned and underway to modernise services bring their own financial and human resource pressures.  Challenges of this nature will not easily be resolved by restructuring, especially as the restructuring process itself diverts management time and attention from action to improve patient care. "

Any board inheriting significant new responsibilities for services  needs the additional financial resources and staff capacity necessary to deliver them effectively, Ms Robertson continued.  "For the boards taking on Argyll and Clyde services,  it will also be important that the scale of the challenge they face is recognised and that they are fully supported by the Executive in the action they take to achieve the twin imperatives of delivering quality services and living within their budgets."

Ends

 

 

Notes for editors

1. The Scottish NHS Confederation is an independent membership body representing Scotland's NHS boards and special health boards.  It is part of the UK-wide NHS Confederation and is committed to improving health policy and practice.

Contact details

For further information contact: Donald Crichton on 0775582123

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