Parliament will soon be rising for the Christmas Recess and
I am looking forward to spending time at home with my family and friends.
There has been quite a lot of coverage recently about the
proposals brought forward to change the way in which NHS services are run in
Cornwall, with the setting up of an Accountable Care Organisation (ACO),
introducing stakeholders such as Cornwall Council to the NHS management system.
Certain political parties have been quick to jump on the
‘this is privatisation’ bandwagon – once again turning our NHS into a political
football. It is sad that the Labour Party in particular want to play politics
with the NHS rather than work constructively to improve it. Instead they
criticise the way the NHS is run now, as well as all new ideas put forward to
help make it sustainable in the future.
I should clarify that the ACO that is proposed is not a
wholesale takeover by Cornwall Council of the NHS in Cornwall. It will create a
management board with council involvement, as well as other stakeholders
similar to the former Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Health Authority which ran
from 1974-2002. People have been talking about the need to integrate health and
social care in Cornwall for a long time and this is one possible way to achieve
this.
It is certainly right and proper that the proposals to
create an ACO are scrutinised by Cornwall Council and I support their setting
up of a cross-party Inquiry Panel to do this.
I will continue to work with all involved to safeguard the
future of community hospitals in Mid-Cornwall, continuing on from the
submission I made to the STP on their importance to our communities.
It is important to remember that the ACO proposed for
Cornwall is not unprecedented. For example there is already one further along
the process in Greater Manchester that is being led by the Labour Council that
sits there.
My commitment remains for an NHS that is free at the point
of use. What matters the most apart from this is that the service available is
fit for purpose and works well for the people who have to use it, as well as
being good value for the public purse. How this is delivered would be down to
the NHS, stakeholders such as Cornwall Council, and those who deliver the
services.
May I take this opportunity to wish all readers a very Happy
Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.
My team and I are here to serve the whole constituency and
work hard to make a real difference to the lives of everyone needing support.
The office is open to the public Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.00pm (no
appointment necessary). If there is an issue you would like my assistance on
then please, either visit the office or contact me on either 01726 829379 or
office@stevedouble.org.uk. Additionally, I hold regular, appointment only, advice
surgeries across the constituency. Dates of these can be found at:
www.stevedouble.org.uk/events
