New Forest MP signs letter urging improvements at under-fire NHS trust
A LETTER sent to the health secretary containing a list of improvements for an under-fire local NHS trust has been signed by a New Forest MP.
The missive was sent to Matt Hancock outlining how Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust should step up its performance following years of controversy over failings that led to the death of patients.
The organisation now has new leadership and has been praised by the Care Quality Commission for its progress – although trust chief executive Nick Broughton has admitted there is “much still to be done”.
It was written by Fareham MP Suella Braverman and signed by New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne, as well as MPs Maria Miller and Ranil Jayawardena. It was also sent to Dr Broughton and trust chair Lynne Hunt.
Southern Health provides mental health and community services for Hampshire and manages hospitals such as in Lymington, Hythe and Fordingbridge.
Conservative Mrs Braverman listed seven priorities including decreasing out-of-area bed use which currently costs £12m a year; providing £5m of ring-fenced funding for community health services; and training GPs to deal with mental health and learning disabilities.
She said: “I have identified seven areas of improvement which I believe are crucial to ensuring that Southern Health can deliver safe and effective services to the people of Hampshire.
“I look forward to hearing back from the health secretary on this very important issue.”
Dr Broughton responded: “I welcome the recent correspondence from local MPs, and I am encouraged that the priorities set out in the letter reflect the same areas we have identified and are working to improve.
“Southern Health has embarked on an ambitious and long term programme of change, which is already making a positive difference to many of the people we support, and has been recognised by our regulators.
“It is also important to be clear that transforming the organisation will take time to do properly and inclusively.”
He promised to write to Sir Desmond and the other MPs offering to meet them to discuss the trust’s plans.
