27 February 2011
February Meeting Report
PLEASE NOTE - These are not verbatim minutes but a record of notes taken during the meeting.
The Chairlady opened the meeting at 2.00 p.m. and welcomed everyone.
MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 25th January 2011 were read, approved and signed by the Chairlady.
MATTERS ARISING
Secretary explained the Nominated Neighbour Scheme for the benefit of those who were not at the January meeting.
SPEAKER
The Chairlady introduced the speaker Geoff Woods from the PCT’s Patient and Public Engagement team to talk about the changes proposed to the NHS by the government.
The change is about the organisation of the NHS and is not intended to change the services provided.
Currently all the money for the NHS for central & eastern Cheshire area goes first to the PCT for all NHS services, some £620m per annum.
The PCT then contracts with all the 52 GP practices, 2 hospitals (Leighton and Macclesfield) the Mental Health Trust and for any other treatments provided outside the area.
Under the government proposals the PCT will be abolished and the NHS will be organised in the following way;
4% to go to the borough council for public health activities
16% (3100m) to go to a central unit, based in Leeds initially which will commission GP services, dentists, opticians and pharmacists.
£500m is then left for Central & Eastern Cheshire
This money will be split between groups of GPs called a consortium who will decide which services are commissioned. Leighton Hospital currently costs about £90m, Macclesfield about £70m. Externally provided services and all other services are to be funded from the remainder.
The white paper was produced last year and the consultation was completed by December 2010. The Bill has not been passed yet, it is currently going through it’s various parliamentary stages.
Regional bodies are being abolished as well as some national bodies.
There is a lot of speculation in the media about the implications of these changes, some of it with no basis in fact.
GPs are to be required to look at all providers of services, which may include some from the private sector.
However the principle remains that the NHS will provide services free at the point of use.
These changes in Geoff’s opinion are driven by the desire within government to save money. The NHS is one of the largest government spending departments and in the current financial climate government are looking to save money everywhere they can
The Chairlady thanked Geoff for again coming to talk to us and explaining what is proposed in the restructuring oft NHS.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
Correspondence
NPC Bulletin no 48
NPC Briefing paper on Pensions Bill
NPC Submission to Commission on Funding of care and Support
NPC Vision For Adult Social care Submission to Department of Health
NPC Disability Living Allowance Reform Submission to DWP
York University Survey on Typical Activities of Older People
Contacted by a TV producer looking for people with experience of Meal on Wheels and willing to talk to them about their experience.
In the national press there has been published a damning report by the Health Service Ombudsman on the appalling level of care experienced by elderly patients in the NHS.
It has been reported that the capital level for Care Charges has been frozen at £23000
CE care charges are the 2nd most expensive in the country according to Which
Hairdressers Just Lynne has joined our Discount Scheme, based at 38 Bramhall Road off Wistaston Green Road.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer reported the Current Account balance.
The raffle raised £26.50 less £10.00 for prizes giving £16.50 for the funds.
MEMBERSHIP
The coach for Blackpool has been booked for June 14th for the opening day of the Pensioners Parliament. Credentials for the Winter Gardens are again £3.00. This is not obligatory. This year we will be in the Opera House, NOT the ballroom. Names to Barbara ASAP.
TRANSPORT
It has been confirmed that the Information Office on Crewe Bus Station will close this week
A new service 6A is being introducced to Brookhouse Lane but at the same time the 6 is being reduced to a half hourly service from Shavinngton
WELFARE
Kevan thanked those who had attended the Ageing Well in Cheshire forum at Beechmere. The day was well attended. Ageing according to CEC begins at 50. We now have a representation on the Older Peoples network core group. Kevan has proposed that at the AGM the name be changed to the 50+ Network.
Our current LAP manager is moving on to be replaced by Ruth Clark. Local Area Assemblies will be advertised in the local press.
On 8th March Community McMillan Nurses will be holding an Information Day in Middlewich from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. if any one can attend.
NORTH WEST REGIONAL PENSIONERS ASSOCIATION
At the AGM in January Hugh was re-elected to the executive committee. Next meeting is February 25th
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There being no further business the Chairlady closed the meeting at 15:05 p.m.
