The Truth about the NHS Reforms

At the moment, there is some uncertainty about the NHS reforms. Many Harlow residents have written to me, asking for clear picture of what is happening.

The first important point is that I absolutely believe in an NHS which is free at the point of use. People deserve the best possible healthcare - especially the sick, the young, and the elderly. When I was a child, I spent a lot of time in Great Ormond Street hospital, and if not for the NHS at that time I would now almost certainly be in a wheelchair. So I know its value.

Some people are saying that the Government's NHS reform - giving power to doctors, nurses, and GPs - will cost £16 million in West Essex. It is important that this is a one-off cost. Also, it is more than covered by the extra £24 million that has been invested into our local NHS, since 2010.

In Parliament, I voted to bring this extra money to our health service. Labour opposed it - and Labour MPs voted against it in Parliament. At a national level, Labour's plan is still actually to cut funding to the NHS. That is why we must look very carefully at what is happening on the ground.

In the past 18 months, thanks to the investment of this Conservative-led Government, we have seen 100,000 more patients treated every month. Britain now has 4,000 extra doctors and 4,000 fewer managers; more clincal staff; and the number of people in mixed-sex wards is down by 94%. Waiting lists are down to their lowest ever levels. The number of people on long-term waiting lists has also hit record lows.

People will remember that Labour wasted £6 billion on an NHS computer that didn't work, and signed up to contracts where it cost £300 to change a lightbulb.

By contrast, the Coalition Government's reforms are about stopping the waste, and putting our GPs and hospitals like Princess Alexandra in the driving seat. Altogether, a total of £4.5 billion is being taken out of bureaucracy and ploughed back into frontline patient-care. There is a one-off cost, yes. But it is worth it. We have to invest now to get savings later.

In the East of England alone, scrapping the Strategic Health Authority will save at least £45 million a year, in lower management and administrative costs. This can all be invested in more nurses and doctors for towns like Harlow.

On the issue of contracting out services, it is important to remember that the last Labour Government enabled many private providers to do operations (e.g. Rivers Hospital outside Harlow was contracted by the NHS to do some operations privately).

Of course, the Government must get the detail right. And if there are problems, these must be looked at seriously. But fundamentally, I believe that putting our nurses, GPs, and doctors in charge of our NHS is the right thing to do. It is long overdue. That is at the heart of the reforms.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Health Minister agrees to meet Partridge Care Home family member

Today on the first day back in Parliament, during Health Questions, I was able to raise the Partridge Care Home problems with Health Minister Paul Burstow:

"A BBC Essex investigation into Rushcliffe Partridge Care Home in my constituency, has uncovered shocking allegations of abuse and neglect. Will the Health Minister urge the Care Quality Commission, to step in now with an enquiry, and take what ever legal action necessary to protect the elderly residents, and will the Minister meet with me and my constituent Lesley Minchin, whose relative has suffered from what has been going on in the care home?"

The Minister responded by saying:


"I certainly share the concern the hon. Gentleman outlined. BBC Essex reports of abuse and degrading treatment in this particular home, is a cause for concern. The CQC (Care Quality Commission) are due to publish a report very shortly, and I would certainly be happy to meet my hon. friend to discuss this matter further. This Government is determined  to shine a light on abuse wherever it is to be found, to root it out of the system, to make sure people are treated with dignity and respect and get the care they need."


by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Amendment 1221

I voted for Amendment 1221 yesterday during the Health and Social Care Bill, because I thought it important that women who were considering an abortion, had access to independent counselling services - only if they wished. If the Amendment had succeeded, women would have been offered an entirely optional alternative to abortion providers or their subsidiaries.
So, this amendment did not compel a woman to have counselling, it did not stop Pregnancy Advisory Bureaus or independent clinics meeting their obligations to ensure that a woman is fully informed about the medical procedure being considered.

This amendment did not prohibit abortion providers or their subsidiaries from continuing to offer a counselling service. It did not prevent the NHS from providing 'independent' counselling under the proposals, nor create a situation where all those offering an alternative source of counselling would be 'faith based'.
I was astonished by how much controversy, this seemingly mild amendment caused. Of course their were the usual Twitter 'bullies' who sought to intimidate the female mover of the amendment, with online abuse -rather than debate. And that is to be expected: bullies often use the Internet to hide behind. Its a bit like those people who drive big fast cars down the motorway, flashing at you closely from behind to move to another lane - because you dare to travel on 'their' road space.
But, beyond the internet, much more disappointing was the attempt to close down proper debate, because the amendment challenged - albeit in a small way - a particular world view.
That is why I am glad I voted for the Amendment - the reaction of the opposition made me even more determined to do so.
I was disappointed that the Government chose not to support the Amendment - partly on grounds of the legislative framework - but heartened that Health Minister Ann Milton, said she supported the spirit of the proposals:
"Before we legislate, we want to think through all the implications—including financial and legal—of a definition. We also want to consult widely and publicly as part of our proposals to help us ensure that we really improve services for women at what we all know is an extremely difficult time in their lives. We need to consult the public; indeed, we need to consult the women about whom we are talking.... I also stress that the regulations would be subject to affirmative resolution.
Whether women want to take up the offer of independent counselling will be a matter for them, but we are clear that the offer should be made...... We intend to ensure that the independent counselling offered to women follows the highest standards of good practice.... the Government support the spirit of the amendments, and we intend to present proposals for regulations after consultation.

PS. I was sent a note by Labour MP, Jim Dobbin about a ComRes Poll. The details are below:
The measure proposed was supported by 84% those who voted Liberal Democrat at the last election compared to 80% of Labour and 81% of Conservative voters respectively.
The ComRes poll also found that women are more likely than men to agree with the principle of independent counselling (80% vs. 76%) and more likely than men to want to see their MP support proposals to implement it (67% vs. 63%).
Two out of three women agreed with the statement: "I would like my MP to support proposals to ensure that women have access to independent abortion counselling from a source that has no financial interest in her decision."

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

Thank you Mr Fleming

Today, I was given an injection containing some strong antibiotics: some bacteria bad entered the inside of my foot, leading to redness and swelling. My symptom was easily curable but dangerous if not treated, as I was told that the infection could quickly spread through the foot and up the leg. Yet, within a few minutes - at little cost - my problem was sorted.

As I left the Doctor's somewhat relieved (having been a little anxious beforehand), I had a long thought about Alexander Fleming. Had I been alive before the Second World War, the medical solution to my relatively small problem would have been left to the Gods. It would have spread, and I might have possibly lost the use of my leg.

That is why I said thank you Mr Fleming a few times to myself. You can think of what he discovered, be amazed how so many medical problems are cured so quickly, and never take his genius - his gift to human-kind - for granted.

P.S. You can read more about Mr Fleming here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fleming

Essex County Council statement on Partridge Court

Following the tragic deaths of elderly residents at Partridge Court Care Home, Essex County Council have sent me the following statement by Essex County Councillor Ann Naylor, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing:

“We were extremely saddened to hear of the two recent deaths at Partridge Court Care Centre and our thoughts are with the relatives of those concerned.

There are currently two investigations underway, the ongoing police investigation and a safeguarding investigation. Safeguarding our most vulnerable is our absolute priority and as a result we are conducting a multi-agency safeguarding investigation into the care of residents in Partridge Court Care Centre.

Essex County Council initially put intensive support into the home so we could ensure residents security and safety and avoid the need to move clients unnecessarily and against their wishes. We are continuing to work proactively with the home’s staff and the providers Rushcliffe on an action plan of improvement to look to raising standards on the future delivery of care.

The CQC have recently inspected Partridge Care Home and will consider enforcement action if necessary. Essex County Council has a suspension on places and this will be in place until we are happy that improvements to the level of care have been made.

We will continue to monitor the action plan until we are fully satisfied with the quality of care. Conversations have been held with all residents and their families to review individual needs and all care plans have been checked. While the majority of residents and their relatives have expressed a wish to stay at Partridge Care Home those residents who have requested to move are being supported and further discussions will be held with their families to find suitable, alternative accommodation.

We have also provided advocacy support for relatives so they can raise any questions or concerns. Our NHS colleagues have assigned a team of clinicians to work on the site and we are confident that improvements can be made.

There is an ongoing police investigation and until this is concluded we do not know if a criminal offence has occurred. Therefore we are unable to provide further details at this time but will continue to do all we can to work with partners to ensure the highest possible standards of care are implemented and take any necessary action if improvements are not made.” 

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Second Statement on Partridge Court

Following my statement of 16 August, tragically there has been a second death of an elderly resident at Partidge Court.

Given this development, I am now calling for Essex County Council to take emergency measures to take control of the Partridge Care Centre, so that no more lives are at risk.

If anyone has a relative at the Partridge Care Centre and would like me to make representations on their behalf, I can be contacted at halfon4harlow@roberthalfon.com or by ringing 01279 311451.

As I said in my earlier statement:

"For some time now I have been aware of problems there and a few months ago contacted Partridge Court and Essex County Council to express concerns about the treatment of a local resident.

I have been asked by the constituent not to publish their name. However, I have continued to work on their behalf with Essex County Council and the Primary Care Trust, and have asked for a full enquiry into these awful events.

Following talks with Essex County Council this has now been agreed.

My thoughts are with the family at this time."

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Statement on Partridge Court

Following the death in hospital of an elderly resident of the Partridge Care Centre, Harlow, and the hospitalisation of two other elderly residents, I have issued the following statement:

"I am very concerned to hear of the tragic events at Partridge Court. For some time now I have been aware of problems there and a few months ago contacted Partridge Court and Essex County Council to express concerns about the treatment of a local resident.

I have been asked by the constituent not to publish their name. However, I have continued to work on their behalf with Essex County Council and the Primary Care Trust, and have asked for a full enquiry into these awful events.

Following talks with Essex County Council this has now been agreed.

My thoughts are with the family at this time."

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

PETITION : Save Occasio House

Please sign our petition to save Occasio House HERE.

As The Harlow Star has reported, West Essex PCT is cutting our local health services in Harlow. These include the "One-Stop" health clinic at Occasio House.

There is an anger and frustration among Harlow residents - especially young people - who feel that this decision came out of the blue. As local MP, I was not briefed in advance, and have received many letters and phone calls from patients, who also say they were not consulted.

I accept that the economy is difficult, and that the Government is having to make cuts, to tackle the astronomical public debts of £2 trillion.

But the fact is that the NHS is one of very few areas that has been ringfenced nationally, and the Department of Health has given the PCT a cash boost of £12 million pounds this year, to help them cope with inflation.

West Essex PCT has extra cash this year. So I can understand why Harlow residents are asking: "Why are local services being cut?" Given the importance of the health clinic at Occasio House, I am campaigning with local residents to save it.

You can read more on The Harlow Star website HERE.

If you feel that this is a disgraceful and shortsighted decision by the PCT, please sign our petition and show your support.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Opening of new Nazeing Valley Health Centre

The opening of a new building to accommodate Nazeing Valley Health Centre should bewelcomed by everyone who is a patient at the practice.
However while praising the welcome boost for healthcare in Nazeing, I can only hope that NHS West Essex will now look at improving health facilities in Roydon.
We await developments - literally - with interest!