10:33am Friday 26th March 2010
By David Lindsell
Healthcare for South West London is racing to create a website before the election ‘purdah’ begins, to promote its reorganisation of the NHS.
Once the date for the election, expected to be on May 6, is finally set, the NHS only be able to respond to questions, rather than actively put out information.
As far back as last June last year, PCT chief executives agreed that "public engagement in the first phase would be at a very high level.
"Thought was being given to further public engagement through a range of different approaches, including use of the media."
But only 12 people have so far signed up to receive updates on the changes since it was advertised in September and no email updates have been sent out, other than to NHS staff.
None of the newspapers in south west London were told about this month’s influential meeting of all of the primary care trust’s in south-west London on March 11.
The joint committee was created to give PCTs more power through collective bargaining, when buying or commissioning services.
At the meeting a £41m million overspend across south-west London was discussed, as was the re-organisation of healthcare in Sutton and Merton.
A presentation was given on the review, but no minutes are available two weeks after the meeting.
A spokesman said: "Over the coming months we will discuss ideas for improving the quality of patient care with stakeholders and the wider public at events, roadshows and meetings with local groups, and this feedback will help us to develop options for transforming services in south west London.
"We will continue to engage with patients, the public and local groups on any options.
"In addition, there will be consultation on any changes proposed – we wouldn’t expect this to commence before November or December."
Send the review team your views by emailing healthcare@swlondon.nhs.uk and ask to be informed about the reorganisation options.
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