MPS SEEK ANSWERS TO PATIENT TRANSPORT SERVICE PROBLEMS
08.06.2016 For immediate release: Sussex MPs met with senior management representatives from the seven Sussex CCGs and the Managing Director of Coperforma this morning to establish what is being done to improve patient transport services. The services have been the subject of a barrage of complaints from constituents to their local MPs since Coperforma took over the service from SECAmb in April this year.
Handover problems were initially blamed for Coperforma’s poor performance but, two months down the line, Sussex MPs were very concerned that little appeared to have improved as constituents were still contacting them about missing operations, hospital appointments and waiting for hours in hospital reception areas to return home due to patient transport problems.
Huw Merriman MP and Amber Rudd MP jointly wrote to the CCG along with 10 other Sussex MPs to request an urgent meeting to find out what was going wrong and what plans are in place to improve the service.
During the productive meeting this morning, CCG senior managers told MPs that they have been working closely with Coperforma to establish the cause of the problems since taking over patient transport for Sussex in April. They are currently awaiting the results of an independent report to investigate the handover problems. However, they also recognise that urgent action is needed and have already agreed an improvement plan with Coperforma which is being reviewed on a weekly basis.
The CCG has demanded that Coperforma reaches their target of ensuring that 95% of patients are transported to and from appointments on time by the end of June. They are also already consulting with all Sussex CCGs and providers on possible alternative plans should Coperforma not reach this target.
When MPs questioned why the CCG chose Coperforma as the new service provider, they explained that not only was Coperforma the sole organisation to submit a tender on time and within budget, they could demonstrate that they successfully run patient transport services for three other regions where they reach their target of getting 95% of patients to their appointments on time.
Speaking after the meeting, Huw said “I am grateful to High Weald Lewes Havens CCG for promptly responding to our letter and meeting request. The meeting was productive and helpful. The CCG understands that as local MPs we are very concerned that the most vulnerable of our constituents are missing important operations or hospital appointments. They are also waiting for hours to return home from hospital. This has been very stressful and upsetting for patients and their families.
“We are also extremely concerned about the cost to our local NHS of missed appointments and cancelled operations. We have been told that the East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust who run Eastbourne DGH, Conquest Hospital and Bexhill Hospital has already lost £40k in arranging alternative transport for patients. When our local hospitals are already facing budget deficits, this is clearly not good enough. I understand that a compensation package will be sought.
“I was assured to hear that the CCG is urgently addressing the problems with Coperforma and that deadlines for service improvement are in place. They are also exploring alternative provision should Coperforma fail to meet their targets by the end of this month. I believe this is essential. However, I stressed to the CCG that it is really important that they keep the public and local stakeholders informed of developments to assure them that urgent action is being taken.”
Amber Rudd MP for Hastings and Rye said “The performance of the patient transport service over recent months has been unacceptable: our local hospitals have faced unnecessary costs due to rearranged appointments and patients have suffered from disruption to their vital healthcare.
“However, I am pleased with the constructive response of both Coperforma and the CCG following reassurance that the company is meeting the targets established in its remedial plan, and that it will shortly be delivering the expected levels of service.
“I look forward to continuing dialogue on this issue and to reading the report into the problems which occurred as the transport service was handed over to the new provider. I would like to thank Huw for organising a productive meeting towards ensuring patients across Sussex receive the required quality of care.”