23.08.12
Most NHS heads doubt readiness of HealthWatch
Health sector professionals doubt the ability of the NHS to come through its reorganisation successfully, a new survey shows.
The NHS Confederation conducted research to identify areas of concern and low confidence for NHS chairs and chief executives.
More than half of respondents, 57%, highlighted a lack of expertise or experience in the new bodies as the biggest risk to the reforms. Other concerns included the disruption caused by the organisational restructuring, with 54% highlighting this as a key issue.
54% also cited the financial pressures arising from cost-saving targets as a barrier to success, whilst 46% suggested a lack of system management would hinder the process of reform.
The survey also captured the level of confidence in the various organisations that are to take on new powers and responsibilities next April. Of those surveyed, 68% were confident about the readiness of Monitor in its new role as an economic regulator.
But there were doubts around the readiness of the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with 69% saying they were not confident about the organisation, and 80% stating they were not confident about the readiness of Healthwatch, ‘the new consumer champion for health and social care’, which will operate at the local level and as a central body, Healthwatch England.
NHS leaders also commented on the readiness of bodies responsible for public health and local commissioning.
On public health, 35% were not confident about health and well being boards, 28% had doubts about local authorities and 11% were concerned about Public Health England. On commissioning, 26% highlighted clinical commissioning groups and 21% commissioning support services as areas for concern.
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