The NHS calls departments that do things like community nursing or supply of equipment for disabled people ‘provider services’. At the moment there are over 30 services currently provided by people directly employed by NHS Wandsworth (the old PCT). Government policy means that from the 1^st of April they all have to be separated in an “autonomous provider organisation” and this is a stage to them becoming one – or a number – of independent organisations which will have to compete for the commissioners’ business.

There will be an engagement exercise about what form this should take over the summer. Andrew Craig in his role as the lay member on the PEC made the point that people in Wandsworth mostly know little or nothing about this big change which could have a big impact on the services – their extent and quality. It is essential therefore that whatever solution is adopted for what is being called the “externalisation” of provider services, individual patients still get the services they expect and need.

Other important issues discussed at the meeting were the new Cancer Prevention Plan and the consultation (finishing on 8th May) on services for Stroke and Major Trauma. Strokes by the way happen mainly in the London suburbs with the major traumas -stabbing, shooting – in the centre of town.

Take a look at Andrew’s feedback here: PEC Lay Member Feedback Report March 2009 (opens in Adobe PDF). All of Andrew’s PEC reports are found under the Resources – Health & Social Care menu.