The following is a brief guide to the main organisations and people involved.
WHH. The William Harvey Hospital at Ashford.
KCH. The Kent and Canterbury Hospital.
QEQMH. The Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital at Margate.
The Department of Health. Secretary of State, Alan Milburn was Chief Secretary to the Treasury and charged with expanding and developing PFI. He then became Frank Dobson's No2.The DOH provides the cash to run hospitals to the Health Authorities.
NHS EXECUTIVE SE. Otherwise known as the Regional office, this is the direct link between local services and central government. They are effectively EKHA's bosses. Acting Chief Executive is Ruth Carnall.
EKHA. The East Kent Health Authority handles the budget for the entire local health economy, commissioning services from the Hospital Trust, Community Trust, Ambulance Trust and PCGs. Also responsible for the strategic direction and future of healthcare services. It has a budget of around £470m per year. Chairman is Frank Stewart, Chief Executive is Mark Outhwaite. On April 1st 2002 EKHA will be dissolved and a new smaller strategic health authority for Kent will be established. This will amalgamate East Kent, West Kent and Medway health authorities.
EKHT. The East Kent NHS Hospitals Trust, one of the largest in the country, is contracted by EKHA to run hospital services at WHH, KCH, QEQMH, Buckland, Dover and Royal Victoria, Folkestone. It has a budget of around £247m per year and employs almost 8,000 staff. Chairman is Peter Hermitage, Chief Executive is David Astley.
EKCT. The Community Trust is contracted by EKHA to run some community hospitals, some care in the community (health centres, clinics etc) and is responsible for care of those with mental disabilities. It has a budget of about £90m per year. Chairman is Mary Crittenden, Chief Executive is David Parr.
PCGs. There are currently five Primary Care Groups in East Kent. PCGs handle the organisation of GPs, some community care, and strategic direction for Primary Care. On April 1st 2002, the 5 PCGs will become four Primary Care Trusts (Ashford, Shepway, Canterbury & Coastal, Thanet & Dover) and take over about 80% of the budgets now going to EKHA. They will then commission and administer hospital services.
CHCs. The two East Kent Community Health Councils (South Kent and Canterbury & Thanet) were established as a liaison service between hospitals and patients; to investigate complaints and to monitor the delivery of healthcare services. Council members are volunteers - some elected, some appointed. The government intended to scrap CHCs and replace them with three new organisations. However the legislation was cancelled. Whether they will now survive is unclear. Scrutiny Committees. One of the three new organisations, scrutiny committees are part of County Councils in some areas and local councils in others. The KCC has recently established theirs, Canterbury City Council established theirs about a year ago. They will have the power to hold HAs, PCTs and Trusts to account for the well-being of their constituents.
USEFUL ADDRESSES
Department of Health, Richmond House, 79 Whitehall, London SE1A 2NS.
NHS Executive SE, 40 Eastbourne Terrace, London W2 3QR.
EKHA. Protea House, New Bridge, Marine Parade, Dover CT17 9BW.
EKHT, Trust Offices, Kent & Canterbury Hospital, Ethelbert Rd, Canterbury CT1 3NG.
EKCT, Littlebourne Rd, Canterbury CT1 1AZ