Lynne Featherstone MP secures assurances from Whittington Hospital

Posted on 11th Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Following a meeting with Lynne Featherstone MP and Cllr David Winskill, the Whittington Hospital has offered assurances that no services will be lost during their reorganization until equal or better replacement services are in place.

The Whittington Board, who recently announced controversial plans to sell off hospital buildings, have now agreed to run a full public engagement programme, and agreed to listen to views about the future use of the surplus estate.

The assurances come in response to a petition led by Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats, signed by 2000 local people.

At the meeting, the Liberal Democrat MP and members of the Board discussed the plans in detail. They include commitments to:

• spend £10 million on improving the maternity unit over 5 years;

• invest £2.9 million in a same day treatment centre, to support A&E;

• relocate Physiotherapy and some occupational therapy services to new buildings.

The Board also gave very strong assurances that there will be no loss to the Hospital’s A&E service, and that the number of births will be maintained at current levels to meet expected needs.

The plans are being implemented to support the Hospital’s foundation trust bid, as the Board seek to secure a future as a full service hospital and integrated care provider.

As part of their public involvement programme, the Board have agreed to attend a public meeting in early March, organised by the MP for Hornsey and Wood Green.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“It is such a shame that the Board did not engage properly with their staff, local politicians and local residents. They should have done this from day one.

“I have met with the Board, and in response they have given assurances that no services will be lost until equal or better replacement services are in place.

“Though very late, these assurances are welcome. The Board’s task is now to convince the public through an extensive engagement programme. I am holding a public meeting, which will take place at the beginning of March, so that they can explain their plans directly to everyone.”

Cllr David Winskill added:

“It is impossible to overstate the importance of the Whittington to our communities. Having listened carefully to their proposals I am confident that the changes will support improved health facilities and better outcomes for patients.

“Lynne and I stressed how crucial it is to involve patients, carers and the wider community in these decisions and we will be looking to the Whittington to deliver on their promise to do so.”

Dr Yi Mien Koh, chief executive of Whittington Health, said:

“The future of the Whittington Hospital as part of the Trust lies in meeting the health needs of the local community within the Whittington’s resources.

“As an NHS organisation dedicated to serving our local communities, we want to share our ambitions for Whittington Health widely, listen to local opinion and reflect on their views. This is why we welcome the chance to participate in a public meeting with Lynne Featherstone MP.

“Our strategy will enable the Whittington Hospital to thrive as we continue to provide high-quality patient services safely, efficiently and effectively as close to people’s homes as possible.”

Joe Liddane, chairman of Whittington Health’s Board, said:

“I, like many of the board, live locally. We all have families and have a vested interest in the ongoing success of the Whittington Hospital. I can assure everyone that we are working very hard to do what is best for its future.

“Foundation Trust status will help secure the Whittington Hospital’s future. By using our resources more effectively we can release £17m to invest in services including £10m in maternity and new facilities to help premature babies have a better chance of life.

“A further £2.9m will be spent on an ‘ambulatory care’ centre next door to A&E, due to open in October. It will treat more people on the same day without the inconvenience of an overnight hospital stay.”

Mr Liddane added: “Local GPs back us and tell us that our plans will benefit the community.”

Whittington! Call this off and go back to square one.

Posted on 2nd Feb 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Not much shocks me after so many years in politics. But the revelation at a Board meeting that the Whittington intended to sell off a third of its site, reduce wards and staff was a bolt from the blue. Given that we all – the local MPs from Islington and Haringey – meet with the CEO regularly and nothing of this sell off had ever been mentioned – what on earth was the Whittington thinking?

Look at the recent past. It’s only three years since we took to the streets to march, petition and fight the proposed Labour closure of the A& E. We won. Thank goodness. Of all the stupid paper ideas that Trusts dream up – this was one of the worst because it would not have worked and would have meant that local people lost an absolutely vital service. Under the pressure of the General Election and huge efforts by local people and politicians – the Labour government backed off and the A&E was saved. And subsequently the hospital worked with the people – and went through a lot of effort to make sure that what they were doing was supported by local people. Phew – we thought.

I had hoped that a lesson had been learned – but here we are again. No public consultation, no staff consultation, no working groups, no nothing. (Well since the furore this week the CEO has just now sent a letter out finally to staff to say they will be talking to them – too little too late – understatement). You would think they would be working with all of us every step of the way this time about any changes that they were planning for the future of this much needed and very successful hospital. Not a bit of it.

Not only that – both when I had an urgent phone call with the CEO and at the emergency meeting of all the local MPs and the CEO last week – we got a very profound apology for not having mentioned any of this to anyone – but no real understanding of the enormity of all of this at all. And now, I understand that the CEO is quoted in the papers as saying no one had asked her. To have so little understanding of the nature of the impact of proposed changes on her local community is unconscionable.

In brief, the proposal is to sell off a third of the site (buildings which do not have clinical services), cap births, reduce wards and staff and put more services into the community. This, we are told, will ‘improve services’. Well – we are wary and mistrustful from our past experiences that ‘improve services’ means ‘lose services’. To get over our mistrust the Whittington should have been working with the local community, local Council and local politicians every step of the way. We all want the Whittington to not only survive but be a vibrant and successful hospital going forward.

I am not against all change. Maybe this is a solution that the Board believe will ensure the Whittington’s future. But it doesn’t look like it and it doesn’t feel like it. Because, just like last time, it is the concoction of managers behind closed doors.

It may very well be that the ‘old’ buildings have extortionate maintenance costs. It may also well be that this isn’t about the deficit or savings (as the CEO kept repeating at the meeting ‘this has categorically nothing to do with the deficit or the savings plan’) for which they are on target. Every NHS hospital in the country has a savings plan.

This is all about becoming a Foundation Trust (a policy brought in under Labour). It is a decision by the Whittington and the Whittington alone. This ‘strategy’ that is proposing sell off etc is part of the process of applying for Foundation Trust status. The hospital has to submit a viable plan for the future.

St Ann’s hospital, in David Lammy MP’s Tottenham patch has also got old buildings and needs to modernise etc – but at least there they have worked with David and me every step of the way – so far!

This is a mess-up of gargantuan proportions. And the pity is – we all want the Whittington to thrive and survive – and we could all have worked together to make any necessary changes for future proofing. Now – no one trusts the plan. No one believes this will deliver better services.

Now the only way out is for the Whittington to go back to square one, work with all interested parties on a future plan, consult with local people and then, when we are all happy, move forward to a secure and better future.

That is why working with Cllr Dave Winskill (LibDem health spokesperson) and his LibDem Council colleagues – we are calling for a proper public consultation and all new services to be in place before any sell off.

Please sign the petition here.

MP launches petition against loss of services at Whittington

Posted on 30th Jan 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Haringey Liberal Democrats and Lynne Featherstone MP have launched a petition calling on Whittington chiefs to ensure that no hospital services are lost – and no land sold off – without equal or better local replacement services being put in place.

The plans to sell off land and relocate six hospital buildings were confirmed at a meeting of the hospital’s Board and announced shortly after.

The MP and Haringey Lib Dems immediately raised their concerns about the plans. Lynne Featherstone MP had an urgent telephone conversation with Chief Executive Yi Mien Koh, and yesterday met with other MPs and Whittington Board members.

Alongside calling for guarantees that no services will be lost without equal or better local replacement services in place, Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Lib Dems are also calling for a proper public consultation on the Board’s proposed changes.

You can sign the petition here: http://eepurl.com/uEMk9

Cllr David Winskill, Lib Dem Health Spokesperson, comments:

“Residents will rightly be concerned that we could see a repeat of what happened at Chase Farm, where services were lost with no replacement.

“The Whittington should consult local people before any changes are made or any buildings sold-off. They must also ensure that replacement services will be in place first before they can even consider selling the buildings, it can’t be an after-thought.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone, said:

“I actively oppose any land sell off or loss of hospital service without an equal or better replacement being provided to local residents.

“The Haringey Lib Dems and I have launched this petition to ensure that residents’ views are taken into account, and so the Board know the strength of feeling on this issue.

“I encourage anyone who wants to ensure no services are lost to sign the petition, and encourage their friends, family and neighbours to do the same”

Lynne Featherstone MP reacts to shock Whittington News

Posted on 28th Jan 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP has expressed concern over the recent Whittington Health Trust Board decision to sell six of their estate’s buildings, including units for women’s health and NHS staff accommodation.

Maternity services will also be affected, with the hospital planning to cap births to 4000 a year.

The ‘estate strategy’ – which outlines the plans for rationalisation – was agreed on the 23^rd January by the Whittington Health Trust Board. The strategy is based on a five-year plan, which will see the services relocate to existing space in the south of the hospital.

Following the shock announcement, the Liberal Democrat MP arranged an urgent call with Whittington Chief Executive Yi Mien Koh. The Hornsey and Wood Green MP has since been sent a copy of the estate strategy.

Councillor David Winskill, Haringey Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health, said:

“There has been a huge failure of communication between the Whittington Board and the public. This news has come as a shock to everyone, and without a proper advance briefing and consultation, we are fearing the worst.

“At Chase Farm, residents were promised alternative services to support closures – yet they still haven’t materialised. This cannot be allowed to happen at the Whittington – alternative, and improved, services must be in place before any closures or land sell-offs.”

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I want to be clear and state that I actively oppose any loss of services currently provided at the Whittington without an equal or better replacement being provided to local residents.

“After speaking with the Chief Executive on Friday and seeing the estate strategy, it is evident that the Board are planning to improve services through an estate rationalisation.

“I of course welcome an improvement in services – but nothing must go before new services are in place. I will be watching very closely to ensure that this happens, and that residents always have access to the treatment they need.”

Lynne Featherstone MP reveals shocking figures behind Fairer Health Funding campaign

Posted on 12th Oct 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Shocking figures revealed today by Lynne Featherstone MP show that health services in Haringey are missing out on hundreds of millions of pounds due to a funding formula, which gives them less money than those in neighbouring Camden and Islington.

If Haringey services received the same funding per person as those in Camden, NHS Haringey would have an extra £70 million this year. Even if Haringey received the same funding as the London-wide average, health services in the borough would benefit from an extra £25m this year.

The funding difference is caused by an old formula which assumes that residents in Haringey, who are counted as living in ‘outer London,’ have less need for health services than those in ‘inner London’. Figures on deprivation, however, indicate that this is no longer the case.

Last month Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green and Crouch End Councillor David Winskill launched a campaign to address the historic health funding inequality in Haringey. The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green has received numerous responses from residents who have suffered the consequences of the funding shortfall.

Local resident Syd Pochin had to have his left hip resurfaced in April this year. Haringey would not fund a resurfacing, as no local hospital performed the operation. Mr Pochin was also informed that Haringey would not refer him outside of the area. It cost Mr Pochin a great deal of money to go private, which, as a pensioner, he could not really afford. Mr Pochin felt let down by Haringey and the NHS.

One resident works locally as a practice nurse, and previously as a district nurse in Tottenham. She asked Lynne to look at the numbers of nurses and training available for community nurses in Islington and Camden, and compare it to Haringey. The resident says that, while there are many unsung heroes in the borough – her and her colleagues are ‘on their knees sometimes, doing their best, against all odds here in Haringey.’

Another local resident was shopping in Islington. In the supermarket, NHS Islington had a free health check service including cholesterol and diabetes testing. When they realised that the resident was from Haringey, she was turned away and told to contact Haringey NHS. The resident did this, and was given a check which involved her blood pressure being taken – and nothing more. The resident felt cheated by the experience.

Commenting, Cllr David Winskill (Haringey Liberal Democrat Lead on Adults and Health) said:

“This campaign is all about correcting decades of underfunding of Haringey’s health services with a rebalancing of health funding. We are one of the poorest boroughs in the UK with some of the worst health outcomes. If we had enjoyed fairer funding I am convinced that we would be a healthier borough with far fewer health inequalities.”

Summing up, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Haringey has been sick for years, suffering from this shocking funding inequality. As a result, residents are waiting longer and are not able to access the same treatments as residents in better funded boroughs.

“The funding formula needs to change – and the Haringey Lib Dems and I will work hard to make this happen. We have already launched a petition, and we need as many local residents as possible to sign it.”

Inequalities in Haringey’s health funding exposed

Posted on 10th Sep 2012 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, today launched a campaign to address the historic health funding inequality in Haringey. As a borough, Haringey receives less funding for health services than ‘inner’ London boroughs such as Camden and Islington.

The Liberal Democrat MP met last Friday with the Interim Director of NHS Haringey, CCG Chairs and local GPs to discuss the funding issue. The participants confirmed that the funding inequality was having a severe impact. Haringey patients, for instance, will sometimes not have access to the same services as Islington patients, and experience much longer waiting times.

In March, Lynne Featherstone wrote to the Secretary of State for Health regarding health funding in Haringey. The response confirmed that spending on public health had been lower in Haringey than other boroughs. A further letter from the Minister for Public Health confirmed that the new funding formula was being considered, and the final calculations would be published later this year.

Councillor David Winskill, Liberal Democrat Adult Services spokesman, said:

“Haringey residents face significant health inequalities. It is completely inappropriate for health funding and access to services to be based on a postcode lottery – especially when the funding formula doesn’t recognise Haringey’s real need. A new funding formula which recognises and addresses the current inequalities is urgently needed.

“After 40 years in charge of Haringey Council, the Labour administration has shown no signs of addressing this issue. I am glad that Lynne Featherstone is now taking this up on behalf of Haringey residents.”

Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I was shocked to hear about the effects of the funding inequality on Haringey patients. It is simply not right that Haringey residents should wait longer for, or not receive the same treatments as residents of Camden or Islington.

“I have written to the new Secretary of State for Health, asking him to meet urgently with a deputation before the new funding formula is decided. I will also be contacting constituents and asking if they want to sign up to support the campaign.

“Local people may know about my campaign for fairer funding for Haringey’s schools. You can expect a similar fight and effort to get fairer health funding for the borough.”

Lib Dems have worked hard to make changes to NHS Bill – Lynne Featherstone MP

Posted on 23rd Jun 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

The Government has announced changes to its Health Bill to address concerns raised by the public, medical professionals and the Liberal Democrats.

Liberal Democrats led the calls for changes after raising serious concerns at the party’s Spring Conference in March. Nick Clegg and others have worked hard in Government to make sure the concerns have been addressed.

In particular, Nick Clegg and the Liberal Democrats have ensured:

There will be no special favours for the private sector. There will be a level playing field, not a race to the bottom
The pace of change is slowed down to ensure changes are not rushed into and those taking on new responsibilities do so when they are ready.
The changes will be evolution, not revolution
The NHS is properly accountable, both nationally and locally

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green said:

“I am proud of the way Liberal Democrats have listened and acted to address concerns about changes to the NHS.

“The Bill is now a whole lot better and will make sure decisions are taken in the best interests of patients.

“Liberal Democrats believe the NHS must always be universal, based on need and free at the point of use.

“We have ensured there will be no special favours for the private sector, proper accountability and that the changes are not rushed into before people are ready to take on new responsibilities.

“But this is no time for resting on our laurels. The NHS still faces huge challenges, with an ageing population and the rising costs of new drugs and technologies. I am confident the NHS is now in better shape to meet those challenges.”

Lynne Featherstone MP welcomes £12 million extra for NHS in Haringey

Posted on 7th Apr 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

From this week the NHS in Haringey will enjoy an extra £12 million, to support key Government priorities such as support for carers’ breaks, the Cancer Drugs Fund, investment in talking therapies for those with mental health conditions, and 4,200 extra health visitors.

Spending on healthcare in our local area this year will total £475 million overall.

The increase follows the decision by the Coalition Government to protect NHS investment over the next four years – investment vigorously opposed by Labour.

Across England as a whole, over £89 billion will now be spent on doctors, nurses and frontline services in the NHS – an increase of more than £2.6 billion over the year before.

Welcoming the increases in NHS funding, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“We recognise just how important the NHS is to this country – and to patients here in Hornsey and Wood Green. That’s why the Coalition Government is protecting the NHS not just today, but for future generations.

“This year alone, Haringey will benefit from an extra £12 million of investment going straight to doctors, nurses and other frontline services.

“Under Labour, billions of extra spending was swallowed up as the number of managers increased at five times the rate the number of nurses. Their plans would have meant cutting the NHS, denying patients the improved services we are putting in place.

“Their approach – to spend less – would leave the NHS in crisis.”

Female Genital Mutilation – new guidelines launched

Posted on 25th Feb 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

Yesterday we (the Government) launched new guidelines to help front line professionals – nurses, doctors, teachers and social workers – know how to recognise and prevent Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The guidelines are being sent to chairs of Local Safeguarding Children’s Boards, Directors of Children’s Services and Regional Directors of Public Health, will help professionals:

* identify and prevent further incidents;
* ensure that victims and potential victims receive the response and support they need; and
* provide a step-by-step practical guide to sensitively handling cases of FGM

The guidelines have been developed across government departments in partnership with the Royal Colleges, FGM experts, charitable organisations and the Association of Chief Police Officers.

This is part of my Home Office domestic violence portfolio. FGM is a most brutal crime and has the most terrible and long lasting effects on women and girls. One of the challenges we face in putting an end to this practice is the lack of knowledge about how to recognise the signs and what to do when you do recognise the signs.

I attended a recent round table on FGM as a pre-launch event to set out just how – local teachers, nursing staff, police officers, community leaders and survivors of FGM can work together to end such a cruel practice.

If a teacher had a pupil come into class with a black eye – that teacher would surely and rightly be concerned and ask questions. We need teachers to be equally concerned if, for example, a girl keeps taking abnormally long times when she goes to the toilet (one of the signs of FGM).

This is what Hagir Ahmed, survivor of FGM and Manor Gardens advocate said:

“I had the experience at the age of five or six. When you are a child you usually don’t remember things at that age but I remember. I remember being at a party and the people holding me down. My legs. My hands. My knees. And then I remember the practitioner with the knife.

“I don’t remember any anaesthetic. I just remember crying, crying and pleading. I was completely shattered, emotionally and physically.”

Joy Clarke, Lead Specialist Midwife at Whittington Hospital:

“When people migrate they take their customs with them and FGM is practiced in communities to keep those communities together. Because they love their children they continue to do it.

“Organisations like the Manor Gardens Advocacy Project are already doing good work to educate communities. I work with Manor Gardens to go out and run workshops with social workers and teachers in practising communities so they can recognise if a child is at risk. And I talk to parents about the physical and mental health implications and the law. In 99 per cent of cases this makes a difference but we need to revisit the families to make sure they have understood.”

Lynne Featherstone MP speaks to local students about lobbying and campaigning

Posted on 7th Feb 2011 by Lynne Featherstone

To help inspire students to engage in the local community and make a difference through campaigning and lobbying, Lynne Featherstone MP on Friday spoke to year ten at Highgate School.

The Hornsey and Wood Green MP was speaking to the students as part of their citizenship class about the workings of Parliament, lobbying MPs, and what can be achieved through local campaigning. The Liberal Democrat MP gave the students a range of examples of where the local community has come together to effect change, like the successful 603 bus campaign, and the campaign to save the Whittington A&E.

Lynne Featherstone MP comments:

“It’s pretty amazing the way things can be changed when local people come together to fight for a cause. I have seen it over and over again as a local MP.

“It was great to be able to show the young people here today that it can be done, and that as a citizen you have the opportunity to influence politics and the world around us. And they sure are an inquisitive lot, so I guess it’s just a matter of time before they start lobbying me on Government policy!”