Annual Report 2004 - 05
- Please click here if you would like to download a PDF version of the Annual Report
- Please click here for the Independent Auditors' Report to the Directors of the Board of Cotswold and Vale Primary Care Trust on the Summary Financial Statements
Introduction
Welcome from the Chair, Chief Executive and Chair of the Professional Executive Committee
This year has been one of challenge, consolidation and developments.
The report highlights many improvements and changes that have taken place and the innovative approach and commitment of staff to providing the best possible services close to patients’ homes.
Of importance to everyone has been the emphasis on improving the health
of local people. Our public health work, in partnership with the district
and county councils, has included work with schools and other organisations.
GP achievements
The PCT very successfully implemented the new GMS contract and the accreditation system for the quality framework of general practice.
This demonstrated the high quality of care provided by local GPs and primary care. The recently published Healthcare Commission’s survey recognises that Cotswold and Vale is in the top 20 percent of trusts in the country in 24 out of the 35 quality standards GPs were measured against.
The new GP out of hours system was set up in October 2004 with two
main primary care centres, one in Stroud and one in Cirencester. There
were initially start-up teething problems but the system in now working
smoothly.
Changes in our health systems
Major changes were introduced during the year with the Gloucestershire Hospitals Trust achieving foundation status. This meant that, for the first time, the contract between the Primary Care Trust and Hospitals Trust became a legally binding one.
The PCT had to gain an understanding of a complex way of counting and paying for hospital services, called Payment by Results (PbR).
It also involved the PCT in developing a new way of commissioning (purchasing) and monitoring hospital patient activity, as well as a whole new vocabulary, with hospital patient episodes now described as ‘spells’, for example.
The PCT established a project management approach, under which new
cost-effective care patterns were developed. We also began work on the
new Choose and Book system, giving people more choice over when and
where they receive treatment. Alongside this, work was proceding on
new information systems to provide single electronic patient records,
and a wider efficient IT system for the NHS.
Closer working with local patients
The year saw our four locality forums becoming increasingly well-established. Splitting our work into four localities has allowed early work to develop on practice-based commissioning and incentive systems, which allow the opportunity for listening closely to people’s needs and developing tailor-made local services.
Patient and public involvement has been an important
element of the PCT’s work. We led the countywide children’s consultation
on Investing in Excellence and worked with the Patients’ Forum
and other local people on shaping the future of local health care.
PCT achievements
Much was achieved in 2004-05, including the award of a two star rating for the third year. The issue, however, that coloured much of the year has been our ongoing financial deficit and the PCT’s determination to achieve financial balance. Disappointingly, we concluded the year with a deficit that we have had to carry forward into 2005-06.
Many of the year’s achievements have been as a result of the hard work and dedication of the PCT and primary care staff and their partners, and we would like to thank them for their continued commitment.
We are well aware of the stresses that the enormous workload has placed upon everyone. The early appointment of a Director of Human Resources has continued to emphasise the value and importance of staff and has allowed speedier work on Improving Working Lives and Agenda for Change.
The PCT has been committed, during the first three years’ of its existence, to improving the health of the residents of the Cotswold and Vale area and involving them in decisions and choice about their local health care and where in the future they will receive treatment. This PCT is the fifth most rural in the country and, as such, has individual characteristics that need to be taken into account in shaping future services.
2004-05 has been a very exacting year, but this year will equally see many challenges and changes to both the nature and size of PCTs and opportunities for diversified services.
| Elizabeth H Law | Richard James | Dr Stuart Drysdale |
| Chair | Chief Executive | PEC Chair |
| Cotswold & Vale PCT | Cotswold & Vale PCT | Cotswold & Vale PCT |
