| Subject |
Tobias
Ellwood MP has called on the Government to ensure that a dispute
between Bournemouth's PCT and Hospital does not happen again
|
| Ref |
PR/06-148 |
| Date |
Monday
17th July 2006 |
Tobias Ellwood
MP has welcomed news that Bournemouth's PCT and Hospital Trust have
settled a longstanding dispute over £6.8million.
Bournemouth
Teaching Primary Care Trust and The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch
Hospitals Trust announced earlier today that they have agreed a
settlement in a dispute over payment for patients treated by the
Foundation Trust.
Tobias gave
the news a cautious welcome, saying:
"I am relieved
that this dispute has been settled without continued inconvenience
or cost to residents in Bournemouth.
We must now
ensure that this situation does not happen again. We need a system
in place which allows the PCT and the hospital to work together
efficiently, without pressure on GPs to delay referrals and with
the funds necessary to pay the Hospital for all completed operations.
The Health Secretary
has shown little interest in this dispute in spite of my repeated
requests. If the lessons learnt in Bournemouth are not applied throughout
the country the same mistakes will be made elsewhere as hospitals
become more efficient and meet their patient targets.
This has been
a testing time for the hospital, the PCT, GPs and, most importantly
patients. Only in the 11th hour have the PCT and hospital avoided
paying the high price of a legal dispute. It is essential this is
not repeated in 2007/8. I hope the Government will take heed of
Bournemouth's experience."
|
