Private healthcare chief defends company over hospital bed closures
The boss of a private firm running Cornwall's community hospitals defended his company's record yesterday saying they were performing to contract despite dozens of bed closures.
Kevin Baber, chief executive of Peninsula Community Health (PCH), was appearing before Cornwall councillors after a staffing crisis forced the company to shut Poltair Hospital in Penzance for the fourth time since it took over.
-
Private healthcare chief defends company over hospital bed closures
The not-for-profit business admitted that more than 40 beds across the county remained closed.
Mr Baber rebuffed a councillor who accused PCH of being "not fit for purpose" and said a national recruitment drive was to be launched.
BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC 1.0 ECOBOOST FOR ONLY £7685*
View details
DRIVE AWAY A BRAND NEW FORD B-MAX ZETEC FOR ONLY £7685.
1.0 100PS Manual
WITH:
Electric Windows & Mirrors
Quickclear Heated Windscreen
15" Alloy Wheels
Bluetooth with Ford Sync
Fog Lights
Terms:
*Drive away from only £7685 and then pay nothing for 24 months!
4.9% APR
Conditions Apply
Contact: 01626 240583
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
He said: "After Cornwall Council and the Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust, we are the third largest employer in the county.
"Our turnover is about 12% which means that every year about 200-250 jobs need to be replaced.
He added that this figure had remained stable during his four years in Cornwall.
Mr Baber said that in the last week, PCH had recruited 16 new starters and 31 posts were at offer stage. He said 26 posts were currently being advertised and 20 posts were at the shortlist stage.
Mr Baber said the firm delivered valuable outpatient and minor injury facilities to over 100,000 patients every year.
Moreover, he said PCH was contracted on the basis of numbers of admissions rather than bed and was delivering the required levels of dignity, safety and patient care.
However, Mr Baber's assurances were not enough to quell discontent from the Health and Adults Overview and Scrutiny Committee.
Alex Folkes, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat group, said he was deeply unhappy with PCH.
"I have talked to staff and morale is through the floor," he said.
"We have problems year after year after year.
"Something isn't right, something isn't functioning as well as it should be if we are losing so many staff – 12% is a huge amount.
"What are you doing wrong? Why are we seeing so many bed closures?"
Liberal Democrat Mario Fonk said he was worried bed closures at community hospitals would mean patients could not be discharged to them from the Royal Cornwall Hospital.
"I am very concerned about this and I am fearful that it could lead to bed-blocking," he said.
"When PCH took over we were told changes would be organisational only and not affect hospitals or beds. As I see it now, this has not been the case."
Labour councillor Jude Robinson said Cornwall's community hospitals were a "fantastic legacy".
He added: "It looks to me like we have lost beds year on year and at a time when we have an aging population and are trying to move them into the community."
Comments
by John1000
Thursday, November 15 2012, 6:52AM
“Great savings scheme to close all these beds and great contract if you are not penalised for doing so.
Turnover at Royal Cornwall is half this figure which tells you something about how staff feel in Peninsula Community Health. Of course nothing to do with moving away from NHS terms and conditions and paying staff less.
So two parts of the Cornwall NHS now in the private sector - Peninsula Community Health and the GP Out of Hours service provided by Serco - am I the only one that sees a connection in terms of how they perform.”
by slouisem
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 8:48PM
“I think you'll find that Peninsula Community Health is a Community Interest Company which is not commissioned by Cornwall Council but by the PCT. Any profits they make do not go to shareholders but have to be reinvested. Look at their website for more information. It would help to get your facts right I think for the sake of everyone reading such comments.”
by josdave
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 8:22PM
“Like all the privatised utilities, rail network and now health care the shareholders come first every time. Cornwall Council, as they are run by the Tories, are clearly all in favour of private companies so this farce will run and run. Public services are for the benefit of the public, least that is what I thought, not for profiteering.”
by shagrats
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 3:31PM
“Whats this ? a private company running complicated public services and making a balls of it ! How can this be ? as Cornwall Council are so smart and clever they would have had an iron clad contract that ensures that any underperforming company will be held to rights ASAP !.
Be warned this is what happens when you let profit run buisness take over public services.”
by kernewekonan
Wednesday, November 14 2012, 2:49PM
“well this guy is certainly going to defend tooth and nail the company he works for wether or not they are any good. my quess is like all privatised public services they are in chaos.”