Councillors’ Democratic Scrutiny 1, NHS Chiefs’ Smoke and Mirrors 3

Calderdale Council Adult Health and Social Care Scrutiny Panel meeting on 28th July failed to effectively question hospitals Trust chiefs about their “Balanced Plan” for meeting a £20m funding shortfall this financial year, and a £19m shortfall in 2015-16.

By failing to provide clear straightforward information, equally the NHS chiefs failed in their duty of candour as public servants.

Chatting after the meeting, a group of Save Our Hospitals campaigners expressed deep scepticism about the conduct of the meeting as well as confusion about what had been said. Continue reading

Hospitals Trust staff question Chief Exec’s email

Some staff at Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust have questioned an email from the Chief Executive, Owen Williams, where he appears to justify the Strategic Outline Case for “reconfiguring” the NHS and social care on the grounds that a recent survey has shown things need to improve at the Trust.

4 out of 10 staff who completed the survey towards the end of 2013 reported suffering from work-related stress over the last 12 months, and on a scale of one to five, the average staff score for whether they’d recommend the Trust as a place to work or receive treatment was 3.74.

Owen WIlliams’ email to CHFT staff says these survey results told him that things need to improve at the Trust. Continue reading