Byrne warns local NHS hitting breaking point as social care cuts bite - 23 October 2014

***Embargoed until 09:30 23 October 2014***

Dear all,

Byrne warns local NHS hitting breaking point as social care cuts bite

Please find below a press release from Liam Byrne MP including House of Commons statistics on severe increases in waiting times in A&E at Birmingham’s Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust and a statement on Monitor’s report into the Trust this due for release this morning. 23 October 2014 - News from Liam Byrne MPEmbargoed until 09:30 on 23 October 2014Byrne warns local NHS hitting breaking point as social care cuts biteA&E waiting times at HEFT increase by 240% since this Tory-led coalition took over This morning Monitor is releasing its report into Birmingham’s Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. The report is deeply concerning - highlighting a severe increase in waiting times for A&E, routine operations and cancer care patients, as well as mortality rates. In response to the report Liam Byrne MP said: 'Residents all over Hodge Hill are telling me pressure on our NHS is hitting breaking point. And this reports shows why. The government's huge cuts to Birmingham's social care means it's harder than ever to get older residents home from hospital. That means it's getting harder to get people in the front door through A&E.’

Notes to editors:

1) Figures released by the House of Commons Library (below) show an increase in those waiting over 4 hours in A&E at Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust. Between Q3 of 2009/10 and Q3 of 2014/15 the number has gone from 1,619 to 5,518; an increase of over 240%.

2) Monitor is the sector regulator of NHS-funded health care services. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 its main duty is to protect and promote the interests of people who use them.

3) Monitor’s press release attached. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Monitor Press Release: Under strict embargo until: 09.30am Thursday 23rd October 2014 New action taken at Heart of England to improve services and strengthen leadership Monitor is taking action to improve services and strengthen the leadership of Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT), so that patients receive better care. The health sector regulator has imposed a further condition on HEFT’s licence enabling it to take further action if the trust’s leadership does not perform better. Monitor is acting after HEFT failed to reduce long waiting times for A&E, routine operations and cancer care patients, together with additional concerns regarding mortality rates. The regulator has decided that the range and seriousness of these issues demonstrate a clear failure in leadership and the trust’s organisational systems. The trust and Monitor have also agreed new legally binding enforcement undertakings aimed at improving these care services on a sustainable basis. HEFT provides services across the West Midlands at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital, Solihull Hospital and Community Services at the Birmingham Chest Clinic. Monitor first found HEFT in suspected breach of its licence to provide healthcare in December 2013, after it failed to meet national targets at two of its hospitals, for treating patients in A&E within four hours. Adam Cayley, Regional Director at Monitor, said: “We want all patients of this trust to receive quality and timely care, which means all parts of the organisation must operate effectively. “This action should ensure that the trust’s leadership takes appropriate and swift action to address our concerns around how it is led and run. “We will continue to monitor the trust rigorously and take further regulatory action if we consider it necessary.”

Ends Notes to editors

• For further information please contact, Nick Burke Media Relations Manager, on Nicholas.burke@monitor.gov.uk or 020 3747 0800.

• Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust (HEFT) was authorised as an foundation trust on 1 April 2005.

• Details on Monitor’s previous regulatory action at HEFT can be found here.

• Monitor is the sector regulator of NHS-funded health care services. Under the Health and Social Care Act 2012 its main duty is to protect and promote the interests of people who use them.

• Information about Monitor’s role can be found here.

• Follow Monitor on twitter @MonitorUpdate