Plans to re-integrate local NHS are “good news” – George

West Cornwall MP, Andrew George, has welcomed the joint announcement by Cornwall NHS Foundation Trust (CFT) and Peninsula Community Health (PCH) on their plans to look at the future of the delivery of health care in Cornwall and to assess how to support closer integration between both organisations.

The CFT and PCH will be carrying out a study to assess the benefits to patients for greater services integration between the two organisations which are the major providers of community based health services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Mr George, who is a member of the Health Select Committee, met the Chair of the body which Commissions NHS services – Dr Colin Phillip of NHS Kernow – in Mr George’s office on Friday and discussed the potential benefits of a better integrated service.

Mr George said, “Providing that this brings our community hospitals and services back into the NHS, then this is a welcome move. Though it raises questions about the wisdom of quasi-privatising the service as they did in respect of PCH nearly 3 years ago.

“There would be significant benefits to patients if NHS services are integrated; and certainly better than adopting the model of competition between fragmented private providers as favoured by the Conservative side of the Coalition.

“I also welcome that the CFT and PCH will be involving staff, local people and GPs in their plans.”