Hounslow Primary Care Trust needs to be given a fair deal

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 15th Jun 2005

Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, today said the PCT needed to be given a "fair deal" on debt it inherited

A report by the Dr Foster research organisation in today's Guardian has ranked Hounslow Primary Care Trust (PCT) 240th out of 254 UK healthcare organisations on 'Patient Experience'. The same report ranked the PCT 231st out of 303 on 'Clinical Quality' and 271st out of 303 on its 'Equality' assessment. Commenting on the report Andrew Dakers, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Brentford & Isleworth, said the PCT needed to be given a "fair deal" on debt it inherited and "serious questions must be asked at the next PCT board meeting as to what our local MP is doing".

Andrew Dakers commented:

"This latest report published today in The Guardian shows that despite gradual improvement in most areas Hounslow Primary Care Trust remains one of the worst performing in the country ranked 240th out of 254. The PCT is weak on patient experience, clinical quality and equity.

"Local MPs Alan and Ann Keen should be ashamed that after eight years of Labour the PCT is still bogged down by the substantial financial deficit it inherited when they first created these new organisations. When will Ann Keen and Gordon Brown give the trust's management team a fair deal and wipe out the debt? It is a disgrace that in a first world country our key local healthcare provider has to spend valuable management time discussing how best to contain an every growing debt burden.

"Serious questions must be asked at the next PCT board meeting (7 July 2005) as to what our local MP is doing to ensure the Treasury assists PCTs like Hounslow and if she can't deliver where else the PCT can turn for help."

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS

Full Guardian report: http://society.guardian.co.uk/healthmapping

Hounslow PCT 'PATIENT EXPERIENCE' - 240th out of 254. This was based on 2004 surveys conducted by the Healthcare Commission.

Hounslow PCT 'CLINICAL QUALITY' based on Mortality rates - 231st out of 303

This table shows the hospital standardised mortality ratio for PCTs, indicating whether the number of patients who died in hospital during or after treatment was higher or lower than expected. The ratio is a summary estimate of in-hospital mortality relative to the national pattern, taking account of differences of case mix, such as age, sex and diagnosis. A figure of 100 means results are directly in line with expectations. A higher figure means a higher mortality rate. Data comes from 2002-05 and is drawn from official Department of Health hospital episode statistics, the last full available year of which is 2003-04. Figures for the past year are taken from raw admissions by hospital trusts to the NHS-wide clearing service.

Hounslow PCT 'EQUITY' based on Hip replacement - 271st out of 303

The table shows the standardised admissions ratio for elective hip replacement, which is a summary estimate of hospital admission rates relative to the national pattern and takes account differences in a local population's age, sex and social deprivation. A figure of 100 represents the average so lower ratios suggest that people may not be getting the treatment they need. Data covers the period 2001-04 and applies to the lower three quarters of the population by income.

Dr Foster research organisation http://society.guardian.co.uk/healthmapping/comment/0,15406,1352457,00.html

The Primary Care Trust's comments on the report are available online at: http://www.hounslowpct.nhs.uk/news/news_detail.asp?ID=60