Agenda item

Ms Slinger, Chief Executive, HWPH NHS Trust, summarised the Trust’s  financial position for 2011/12 and the financial forecast for 2011/12.  Members noted the  Clinical Quality and Performance aspects of the Trust and the outcome of the unannounced inspection of the Wexham Park Maternity Unit on 1^st October 2011 by the Care Quality Commission. 

In the ensuing debate members asked a number of questions regarding the use of the agency staff, the quality of services provided, the management of fraud within the hospital and the level and nature of hospital complaints.  Ms Slinger acknowledged a lot of money was spent on agency staff and it was important to reduce these levels and make the hospital an attractive place for prospective staff to work in. It was confirmed that pay level differentials  between permanent and agency staff could be anywhere between 25% and 70% and for example a doctor working in Accident and Emergency on a Saturday night could cost 100% more than a permanent staff member.  It was also highlighted that the Staff Agency received a premium payment when such staff were provided.  In response to a question regarding the ability to collect non NHS income, Ms Slinger advised that the hospital did receive some private income and an overseas Charging Manager was responsible for recovering monies owed in this area. 

It was agreed that Ms Slinger would send relevant data including the monies allocated as write-offs to the Panel via the Democratic Services Officer.

Resolved  -  That the current position be noted.