As we approach the end of 2011 and face the new year, there is a growing degree of nervousness in the behaviour of our local MPs. All at some point have talked about the benefits that will flow from Mid Yorks Hospital Trust's PFI programme but now it seems that we are in for a very difficult time. This will be made even more challenging by the board's own strategy; their inability to deliver their five year plan; capacity, critical care and failing A&E provision; reluctance of mid-grade A&E doctors to apply for posts; funding issues and the way that the Labour government's approach to PFIs meant that key aspects of service that should have been maintained were deleted as buildings were demolished.
The MPs have now started to question the Hospital Trust's approach and expressed concerns about what we now have. They talk about promises made and broken and the fight ahead to find resolution. Prior to the public meeting in November I was one of a number calling on the Trust board's directors to sort things out or stand down. What I learned at that meeting has not changed my view about the Trust Directors but has strengthened my belief that our MPs have been making promises about what would be delivered, either aware that the promises could not be kept or naively not checking that what was to be offered would fit the district's needs. These people are highly paid, elected public servants, who because of their Labour credentials, feel that they are safe from any criticism in this part of West Yorkshire and that the public simply believe all that they say.
In the light of the healthcare fiasco that is developing I think that both the area's MPs and the Mid Yorkshire Trust Directors need to consider their positions and get this sorted or prepare to face the consequences.
UPDATE:
Key Trust Directors replaced. New CEO appointed to resolve matters, original problems still to sort and a big annual bill for the local taxpayer until 2040. Over £1Billion in interest and fees for a facility not capable for stated needs. MPs still acting shocked and hoping people will not join the dots.
The MPs have now started to question the Hospital Trust's approach and expressed concerns about what we now have. They talk about promises made and broken and the fight ahead to find resolution. Prior to the public meeting in November I was one of a number calling on the Trust board's directors to sort things out or stand down. What I learned at that meeting has not changed my view about the Trust Directors but has strengthened my belief that our MPs have been making promises about what would be delivered, either aware that the promises could not be kept or naively not checking that what was to be offered would fit the district's needs. These people are highly paid, elected public servants, who because of their Labour credentials, feel that they are safe from any criticism in this part of West Yorkshire and that the public simply believe all that they say.
In the light of the healthcare fiasco that is developing I think that both the area's MPs and the Mid Yorkshire Trust Directors need to consider their positions and get this sorted or prepare to face the consequences.
UPDATE:
Key Trust Directors replaced. New CEO appointed to resolve matters, original problems still to sort and a big annual bill for the local taxpayer until 2040. Over £1Billion in interest and fees for a facility not capable for stated needs. MPs still acting shocked and hoping people will not join the dots.
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