Contracts were signed yesterday evening between Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust and Circle, paving the way for a groundbreaking new model of management for this Huntingdonshire NHS acute hospital. Via a unique franchise, Circle will take over the management of the hospital from 1 February 2012.
Circle was chosen as the preferred bidder to run the Trust in November 2010 following a rigorous thirteen month procurement process, which began in October 2009. Today’s announcement follows an extensive 12 month period of scrutiny by the Department of Health to ensure the new franchise will provide the best outcome for patients, the local community and staff working at the Trust.
Following the announcement last year, both Circle and Hinchingbrooke staff have met regularly to build the solid foundations that will take the Trust forward for the next ten years. Now staff will be invited to contribute their ideas to plan for the hospital’s future.
The Hinchingbrooke Next Steps project is being managed by the Strategic Projects Team at NHS Midlands and East. Dr Stephen Dunn, its Director of Policy and Strategy, said: “This is a momentous day. Without this partnership, the future for Hinchingbrooke could have been uncertain. Now, we have a solution which aims to repay the hospital’s taxpayer debt of almost £40m, as well as giving it the best chance of a sustainable future. Patients will continue to receive high quality NHS services from NHS staff in the NHS hospital they know. This is not privatisation. Staff and assets will remain in the NHS.”
Dr Dunn continued: “Circle secured this franchise following an open competition. They outshone the best of the best from the NHS and independent sectors. This will usher in a new era for this much loved local hospital.”
Nigel Beverley, Interim Chief Executive for Hinchingbrooke Health Care NHS Trust, said: “We have been encouraged by Circle’s enthusiasm, and the efforts they have taken to meet with staff, patients and our other partners. Circle recognises our achievements at the Trust and we look forward to working with them to develop the hospital’s services into the future.”
Ali Parsa, Circle’s Chief Executive, added: “At a time when some healthcare commentators say the solution for small district general hospitals is simply to merge or be shut down, we believe NHS Midlands and East’s courage and zeal for innovation will enable us to show how clinician and staff control can provide a more sustainable alternative. Our partners have now met hundreds of Hinchingbrooke staff, and we know that we share a core value of prioritising patients above all else. Circle arrives not with a top-down plan to impose change, but with a proven methodology of unleashing NHS professionals' talent through clinical leadership and devolved decision-making”.
Dr Malav Bhimpuria of behalf of Hunts Care Partners and Hunts Health, said: “As local GPs, we are pleased that the hospital can now look forward to a more certain future. We support a hospital in Huntingdon that can serve local patients and deliver the quality of care that they should expect. We will continue to work closely with the hospital so that the right level of services is delivered locally.”
Dr Sushil Jathanna, Chief Executive of NHS Cambridgeshire and NHS Peterborough, said:
“The end of the long period of uncertainty is good news for the staff of Hinchingbrooke and the local people who use the hospital. We look forward to working with Circle to ensure that good quality, sustainable services are provided locally.”
Andrew MacPherson, Director of the Strategic Projects Team co-ordinating the project, added: “We would like to thank the wide range of stakeholders from Board members to clinicians and patient representatives, who have worked with us in bringing this initiative to today’s conclusion. They have shown great commitment, patience, courage and support for this groundbreaking contribution to sustainable public healthcare”.
Last modified 10/11/11 07:04:40
Hinchingbrooke Hospital
Hinchingbrooke Park, Huntingdon
Cambs PE29 6NT
Hinchingbrooke Direct:
01480 416416
