This article first appeared in the Sprotbrough
& Cusworth Community Newsletter

A healthy partnership

February 2006

Sprotbrough residents want a first rate NHS in Doncaster. We all do. But now you can help shape a decision which will make our NHS work even better locally.

A lot has happened in recent years to improve the sorry state it was in when I was first elected in 1997. Spending on the NHS has risen rapidly - from £33 billion in 1997 to £90 billion next year. With more doctors and nurses and new ways of working, waiting lists and waiting times for operations have fallen and the NHS is treating more people than ever. Two million people contact the NHS everyday.

I said you can help improve our NHS locally. Here's how. The organisations that plan and pay for our health service locally are the Primary Care Trusts (PCTs). Doncaster has three Primary Care Trusts (PCT West, PCT Central and PCT East).
They do a great job. For example, PCT West built the new health centre near the Goldsmith Centre. The plan is to merge the PCTs to improve their work.

The public are being asked their views on whether to have:

- one PCT for Doncaster (Option 1), or
- one PCT that covers Doncaster and Bassetlaw District (Option 2).

As a Health Minister, I should stress that I play no part in this decision. But as your local MP, I can say without hesitation that I want Option 1, and I hope you will support it.

One voice for Doncaster.

It makes good sense for Doncaster to have one PCT covering the whole Borough, working hand in hand with the Council, charities, and other Doncaster organisations to promote good health. This is the best option. A PCT for Doncaster and only for Doncaster.

There is so much a Doncaster PCT could do in partnership with the Council, voluntary organisations and local people, from working to improve the diet of young children; helping to tackle and treat drug addiction; helping adults lead more healthy lives or sharing facilities. For example, the new health centre under construction in Denaby which will have a GP surgery and library in the same building. A Doncaster PCT will form natural partnerships with local organisations, knowing the problems village by village and putting Doncaster's health needs first.

As for Option 2, I want the people of Bassetlaw to have an effective PCT working for Bassetlaw. But Doncaster is not its natural partner. Bassetlaw is in a different county, in a different region, with a District Council and County council, and a different ambulance service. Worksop is hardly Doncaster's sister town. If a Doncaster PCT had to take on this task, it would only lead to more bureaucracy. Option 2 means diluting the approach of the PCT as it sets up two operations, one for Doncaster and one fifteen miles down the A1 in Worksop.

Which option we prefer for our new PCT will not affect patients' access to the Doncaster & Bassetlaw Hospitals NHS Trust or the Doncaster & South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust. What does matter is which Primary Care Trust works best for Doncaster.

Your support for Option 1 – one Doncaster PCT is important.

For details on the consultation visit www.southyorkshire.nhs.uk.

To register your support for the campaign click here

Don't leave it too late. The deadline for comments is 22 March.