Rye in frontline for changes

Under Health Secretary Andrew Lansley’s controversial plans, patients are to be given more choice over which doctor they register with while GPs will take over much of the NHS budget.

The East Sussex Country Council (ESCC) cabinet last week voted to put this area forward as one of the first places in England to implement the changes when they become law. Mr Lansley’s proposed reforms were contained in a white paper called Equity and Excellence: liberating the NHS published in July and currently being considered.

Becky Shaw, ESCC chief executive, told last Tuesday’s cabinet meeting that there was a “profound need for change” in the way healthcare is provided, and said: “The scale of change that the health white paper potentially demands in East Sussex across both health and social care is significant if the potential improvements for local residents are to be realised.

It is important therefore that the council actively engages in shaping the future of services and builds on existing plans to make the most of the opportunities to improve the

quality and value for money of council and health services.”

Cllr Jeremy Birch, leader of Hastings Borough Council who also sits on ESCC, outlined the Labour group’s opposition to the plans, which he said were “not in keeping” with the fundamental principles of the NHS. And he added that he hoped GPs would take into consideration the particular needs of deprived communities like Hastings and St Leonards.

He said: “If you live in Mayfield you live for 14 years longer than you live in this area. There is a huge health differential and we need to make sure GPs recognise that.”

NHS Hastings and Rother, the local primary care trust, faces the axe as part of the plans but a spokesman fully supported ESCC’s move to become a so-called early adopter.

He said: “The proposed changes to the NHS structure are far reaching, with patients to be placed at the heart of a system which will be world class in improving health and well-being.

“GPs from across the county have been discussing this area and are positive about moving forward, possibly as an early adopter of the new structure.

This would help to make the most of the opportunities to improve local services and influence the shape of the national approach to moving to the new system.”