Sustainability and Transformation Plans - September 2016 Update

Sustainability and Transformation Plans in London

On Wednesday 14 September MPs debated concerns regarding the impact of NHS Sustainability and Transformation Plans on frontline services. Challenging both the transparency and speed of the NHS England led programme, Labour MPs maintained that the was insufficient time or money available to finalise such a major restructure of the NHS and called on the Government to intervene to provide an adequate consultation period to allow the public and practitioners to respond. You can read the Hansard transcript here.

In advance of the debate, Londonwide LMCs CEO Michelle Drage wrote to each of the London MPs outlining concerns about the degree to which general practice has been engaged by STPs thus far, and sharing new data on the significant workforce gaps within general practice in each of the five STP areas revealed by our May 2016 workforce survey.

You can read the letter and see the STP specific workforce data here, we have already received positive responses, including this one from Tom Brake MP (Lib Dem, Carshalton and Wallington).

Hackney MP and Labour’s Shadow Health lead RT Hon Diane Abbott MP opened the debate and commented on changes to acute and primary care provision, stating at one point “even local GPs have not been fully involved in decision making” continuing “it would appear that plans by the STP to transform general practice, and to transform massive amounts of secondary care work into general practice, are already far advanced. Only at this late stage have they been shared with GP provider representatives.”

Other London MPs to participate include Catherine West MP (Labour, Hornsey and Wood Green), Heidi Alexander MP (Labour, Lewisham East), Gareth Thomas MP (Labour, Harrow West), Andy Slaughter MP (Labour, Hammersmith), Ruth Cadbury MP (Labour, Brentford and Isleworth), Rupa Huq MP (Labour, Ealing Central & Acton), all of whom highlighted the significant pressures on the NHS in London.

As we near October 2016, the point at which the STPs discussion are to be publicised, and the point at which the NHS’ Five Year Forward View aspired to stabilise funding for general practice, the situation is still dire. The Forward View claimed to tackle retention and recruitment and introduce stability, but with our May/June workforce survey showing more GPs leaving the profession month on month; increasing vacancies for GPs and key staff across every part of the Capital; and a steady rise in the number of practice closures, it is clear the plan is not working. The promised influx of 5,000 new GPs has already been watered down and seems less and less likely with every day that passes.

You can read the new NHS guide on engaging local people in the development of STPs here.

You can see the latest available information on each of the five London STPs below:

Last updated : 13 Oct 2016

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