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Four cash-strapped Kent CCGs placed into special measures

Four east Kent CCGs have been placed into special measures following NHS England’s annual assessment of the area’s finances.

In a statement released today, the CCGs – which operate under the East Kent CCG umbrella including Ashford, South Coast, Canterbury and Coastal, and Thanet – announced their intention to “work more closely together,” noting that it was “well-known” that the system in east Kent is financially challenged.

The key reasons for the CCGs being placed into special measures include their financial position, issues with the quality of services they commission, and the need for more effective Kent-wide working to resolve these challenges.

The news comes after three out of the four commissioning groups ended the financial year in a budget deficit: Canterbury and Coastal CCG reported a deficit of £9.5m, whilst Ashford CCG was £13m in the red.

Thanet CCG was rated as “requiring improvement” although it broke even.

Caroline Selkirk, East Kent managing director, said: “As is well-known, the system in east Kent is financially challenged. It is also missing a number of key national targets for patient care, including the number of people waiting more than four hours in the hospitals’ emergency departments to be admitted, transferred or discharged. 

“It is clear the clinical commissioning groups need to work much more closely together to resolve these issues. We see being placed in ‘special measures’ as an opportunity to develop a shared approach to the challenges we face, both as CCGs and with our partners, and to transform the way we look after frail older people and people with complex health and care needs.”

Selkirk noted that the move will see people getting “far more joined-up” care resulting in less time in hospital beds.

“We have already created a shared management team, developed a shared financial recovery plan, and have started to strengthen and streamline the way we work. I am confident that we will get this right and build a system that works for patients and that we can all be proud of,” she added.

Being placed in special measures was the automatic result for NHS Ashford, Canterbury and Coastal, and South Kent Coast CCGs of being rated ‘inadequate’ in the 2017-18 annual NHS England assessment process, which looks at quality of health, quality of care, sustainability and leadership for all the CCGs in the country.

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Image credit: Alashi Clip Art