Making It Better and Healthy Futures – consultations delayed

Date published: 27 July 2006

John Williams, Project Director - Consultations, has revealed the timescale of the decision making process for the Making it Better and Healthy Futures consultations has been delayed.

The decision was taken with the approval of the NHS Northwest Executive team who agreed to allow additional time for the consultation team and the Network Supervisory Board to undertake an effective analysis of the response and to establish a new Joint Committee of PCTs to take effect from 1 October 2006. This Joint Committee will reflect the revised structure from that date and will work towards a final outcome by no later than early December 2006.

It has also been agreed that the Healthy Futures consultation should continue and proceed to the original timescales, i.e. a decision by the end of September 2006.

Mr Williams said: "Because of the linked nature of the consultations in respect of Children’s and Maternity services this will require an additional process, not dissimilar to that used at the time of the production of the options, to be put in place to ensure full compatibility right through to the final decisions in both consultations."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said has welcomed the delay, he said: "I welcome the fact that an announcement on the 'Making it Better' Consultation has been delayed as it should be seen as positive as it shows that at least this vital decision will not be rushed.  The amount of people that have contributed to these consultations has been phenomenal. I would question the consistency of the Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority though.  The two consultations have been linked from day one and many people were confused as to which one was about which service.  The fact that the 'Healthy Futures' decision should be decided months earlier can only add to the confusion.  I look forward however, to successful outcomes in both consultations that will not see a reduction in any services at Rochdale Infirmary."

The reasons given for the delay are:

1. The size of the response (over 50000 formal written responses together with a variety of other formats, including petitions). This needs a longer period of analysis, evaluation and report production than was originally anticipated.
2. The reconfiguration issues affecting the Joint Committee of PCTs. This is already having some impact on the membership and there are significant concerns about producing an appropriately constituted and quorate committee before the end of September.