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Hospital leadership is 'failing' Hospital leadership is 'failing'
(about 1 hour later)
The leadership of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' Trust (RCHT) is heading "towards corporate failure", an independent review has concluded.The leadership of the Royal Cornwall Hospitals' Trust (RCHT) is heading "towards corporate failure", an independent review has concluded.
The report was commissioned by the South West Strategic Health Authority and the RCHT.The report was commissioned by the South West Strategic Health Authority and the RCHT.
A union representing the trust's chief executive John Watkinson, who is currently suspended from duty, condemned the report as being "unfair". The trust's chief executive John Watkinson, who is currently suspended from duty, condemned the report as "deeply flawed".
And Medical Director Dominic Byrne has resigned in protest over it. Medical director Dominic Byrne has now resigned in protest over it.
The critical indictment of the RCHT's management structure follows the Healthcare Commission's conclusion that last year, for the third year running, the trust provided a "weak" quality of service to patients. The news followed the Healthcare Commission's conclusion that last year, for the third year running, the trust provided a "weak" quality of service to patients.
The report raises serious concerns and makes clear the RCHT cannot stand alone to solve its problems Sir Mike Pitt, SW Strategic Health AuthorityThe report raises serious concerns and makes clear the RCHT cannot stand alone to solve its problems Sir Mike Pitt, SW Strategic Health Authority
Sir Mike Pitt, chair of the South West Strategic Health Authority, said: "The report raises serious concerns... and makes clear that the RCHT cannot stand alone or look to others to solve its problems."Sir Mike Pitt, chair of the South West Strategic Health Authority, said: "The report raises serious concerns... and makes clear that the RCHT cannot stand alone or look to others to solve its problems."
The RCHT said it accepted the report and the 27 recommendations for improvements it made.The RCHT said it accepted the report and the 27 recommendations for improvements it made.
Peter Colclough, the RCHT's interim chief executive, said: "The time is right now to act on the recommendations.Peter Colclough, the RCHT's interim chief executive, said: "The time is right now to act on the recommendations.
"It is important to stress that the problems highlighted relate to the trust's management... and not to the quality of the many excellent clinical services that continue to be provided.""It is important to stress that the problems highlighted relate to the trust's management... and not to the quality of the many excellent clinical services that continue to be provided."
The independent review, chaired by David Fielding, was ordered after Mr Watkinson was suspended last September.The independent review, chaired by David Fielding, was ordered after Mr Watkinson was suspended last September.
RCHT report findings Leadership heading "towards corporate failure"Managers "over optimistic" about quality of patient serviceCancer move plan a "disservice" to local peopleTrust "off-target" to repay £4m government loanManagement falls short of expected standardsManagement fails to follow "spirit" of NHS code of conductRCHT report findings Leadership heading "towards corporate failure"Managers "over optimistic" about quality of patient serviceCancer move plan a "disservice" to local peopleTrust "off-target" to repay £4m government loanManagement falls short of expected standardsManagement fails to follow "spirit" of NHS code of conduct
His suspension followed a critical report on financial management at his former employer, Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust (BHT) in London, which had debts of £87m.His suspension followed a critical report on financial management at his former employer, Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust (BHT) in London, which had debts of £87m.
The Cornwall report concluded:"Although the chief executive is said to be charismatic, energetic and committed to patients and the Cornwall NHS, his 'can do' approach is not complemented by sufficient investment in developing basic management capacity... across the organisation, which is patchy at best."The Cornwall report concluded:"Although the chief executive is said to be charismatic, energetic and committed to patients and the Cornwall NHS, his 'can do' approach is not complemented by sufficient investment in developing basic management capacity... across the organisation, which is patchy at best."
Ray Rowden, from the Managers in Partnership union, of which Mr Watkinson is a member, said: "The report fails to recognise any progress made at this deeply troubled trust over the last few years." But Mr Watkinson said in a statement the report contained "factual inaccuracies and unbalanced reporting", highlighting that in his first full year as chief executive, the trust made a surplus of £1.2m.
He said it was "less than fair" for the report to "dump" all the trust's problems at Mr Watkinson's feet. "This contrasts with a deficit in the previous year of £36m," he said.
The trust said it will now discuss the report's findings with Mr Watkinson confidentially. "This is a net improvement in one year of more than £37m and the first time in six years that finances have not got worse year on year."
He is barred from commenting publically as a condition of his employment. Confidential discussions
Mr Watkinson said when he was brought to Cornwall, the trust was the worst-performing NHS trust in England.
"After only one full year in charge at the time of my suspension, it would be remarkable if scope for improvement did not remain," he said.
The trust said it would discuss the report's findings with Mr Watkinson confidentially.
On Thursday, the RCHT announced a new chairman, Martin Watts, would be taking over. Peter Davies resigned from the post last July in protest at plans to move some cancer services from Cornwall to Devon.On Thursday, the RCHT announced a new chairman, Martin Watts, would be taking over. Peter Davies resigned from the post last July in protest at plans to move some cancer services from Cornwall to Devon.
The RCHT manages the Royal Cornwall Hospital near Truro, St Michael's Hospital in Hayle and the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.The RCHT manages the Royal Cornwall Hospital near Truro, St Michael's Hospital in Hayle and the West Cornwall Hospital in Penzance.