The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) welcomes the Government’s amendments published on 1 February 2012, ahead of the Report Stage in the House of Lords.
In particular, the RCOG is pleased by the clarification that the Secretary of State will retain ministerial accountability and responsibility for the NHS. The RCOG is also pleased to see further strengthening in the Government’s commitment to tackling health inequalities.
On integration and accountability, Monitor, as part of its remit, will now ensure that healthcare providers co-operate with one another so that services are integrated.
The RCOG believes that the licensing agreements that Monitor will set for providers to enable better integration must first emphasise continuity of care. The patient journey should be a seamless one with little or no disruption to the patient experience. The RCOG is reassured that all providers of care will be driven by a commitment to improving quality of clinical services and improving patient outcomes.
Likewise, the commissioning arrangements and national tariffs for care should ensure that NHS services for women, including sexual health services, are not disadvantaged and integrated into appropriate pathways of care. It is essential that such integrated services should deliver education and training of all healthcare professionals.
RCOG President Tony Falconer said, “Throughout the passage of the Bill in both houses, the RCOG focused on areas, essential to the quality of service for women, such as reducing health inequalities and ensuring the parity of access to services. We have been reassured by the amendments and the emphasis on competition being focused exclusively for improving the quality of women’s healthcare.
“There are still outstanding issues such as the development of women’s health networks and national leadership. These will enable better integration and we recommend that these are established. Around medical education and training, we still need clarity over the role of the deaneries within the structure of Local Education and Training Boards (LETBs). We will continue to engage with Government on these aspects.”
3 February 2012