by Greg Burns
PATIENTS in Buckinghamshire have been told they could be receiving a lower standard of healthcare due a £20million financial deficit in their primary care trust (PCT).
Following The Audit Commission publishing their latest review of the NHS finances Bucks PCT was named as one of the trusts with a £20m or more financial debt.
Steve Bundred, chief executive of the Audit Commission, said: “Managing money goes hand in hand with providing better patient care. Trusts that fail to manage their money well are unlikely to be doing their best for patients.”
The trust was also criticised in the report for the “inadequate” way that it manages NHS resources rating its financial management, internal control, financial reporting, and overall score as “below minimum requirement".
The value for money that the PCT offers was rated one better as being “at minimum requirements” which resulted in “adequate performance".
Linda Morris, director of finance and business management for Bucks PCT, said: “We take the quality and safety of the services we commission and provide very seriously. Our aim for the local health economy is to achieve sustained financial stability whilst also enhancing the choice, quality, and safety of patient services.”
Jane Fitzgerald, Bucks PCT chief executive, said: “Last week the Healthcare Commission Annual Health Check scored the PCT as ‘fair’ for quality of services and ‘weak; for use of resources.
“While improvements can still be made the results reflect the PCTs commitment to providing patients with quality services during a time of financial constraint.”
To view the full report visit the Audit Commission website at www.audit-commission.gov.uk and follow the links.
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