Forum Topic

Crisis in local NHS Provision.

The Ealing Clinical Commissioning Group had a public meeting in the Town Hall this afternoon. There was a demonstration. Some of us are very worried about the changes proposed by management consultancy McKinsey that this group are implementing. The proposals are to shut Ealing (and Charing Cross) hospital with the loss of many beds, A&E and maternity. This is against a background of crisis pressure on A&E, a shortage of beds, and a baby boom. I was told I could not enter the meeting with my banner which read,"NHS NWL Plans Flawed Stop Now" by the communications officer. This is a lovely group of GPs...maybe one of them might kindly tell me how my banner was so repugnant to them and why they are to continue with McKinsey's flawed plans

Arthur Breens ● 4023d9 Comments

Ed, the second part of my post, which you partially quoted, is also possibly apposite."Something that happens all too often.............. or base their findings on incomplete data from the client."If those engaging the consultants wanted a specific outcome they would have briefed them to reach a conclusion which underwrites their pre-conceived outcome by saying something like. "We need to do this, here is all the data we have don't go digging, we're right aren't we?".No consultant worth the title would do this but if the fee is big enough some may agree to the 'poisoned chalice brief'.

Nigel Brooks ● 4018d

Anthony,Thank you for this. I am also trying to address Ed Yelland's statement.  I am not so sure that there were many medics involved in the Shafting a Healthier Future proposals. Eye 1384 has details of a consultancy working in another health authority formed by alumni of McKinsey. None of their consultants are medics but made rich pickings from Surrey Downs CCG offering proposals that cost in excess of £500,000 which the CCG later ditched.Maybe Ed would like to list the key staff and their qualifications that McKinsey used in designing Shafting a Healthier Future. None of them could read a map so no Geographers then because they intend to close the two hospitals which are easiest to get to for most of us in Ealing.

Arthur Breens ● 4018d

I cannot fathom why any business calls in the likes of McKinsey.Every firm I have been associated with, has been wrecked by them and their like. The only winners have been senior directors and shareholders out for a quick profit.Solid long term businesses have been turned into quick profit shadows of their former selves and ended up dissected and asset stripped into obscurity.If these types are called in then it says one thing. Incompetent, clueless or ulterior motive management..or all of the above.Meanwhile McKinseys bill just about covers the saving made by the jobs they have eliminated. They are never so keen to come back and repair the mess.The NHS is riddled with practices of laziness and poor productivity and opportunism.Those at the coalface with the real skills and talent are very much the casualties.We all know about teachers who are poor in the classroom making a beeline for administrative positions.We all know that those who are genuinely talented, devoted and conscientious  about their occupation, are usually walked all over by those with ambition but no talent, who cannot wait to escape the coal face for safe option of power.Those who can, do. Those who can't, go on committees and take the money.Not true of all, but indicative of way too many. It's so British management.But the true problems are never tackled, usually, it's political controversy no-one wants to get tainted with, or too many vested interests.Not once has a word been said about the large influx of elderly returnees from their retirement locations as they have become too old in places abroad where care facilities for them is completely lacking. People who have every right earned and paid up, but simply not factored into the equation. Hardly their fault but clearly where the local knowledge of experts is clearly lacking.

Anthony Waller ● 4018d

"Sadly, a case of "we paid a fortune for this report, so it must be correct".Something that happens all too often when management consultants have either limited experience of the sector or base their findings on incomplete data from the client."This is hardly likely to be true of McKinsey though as their team comprises Doctors who have worked in the NHS and other healthcare systems, as well as world class researchers and analysts who have a good track record of designing changes that have cut cost and improved clinical outcomes e.g. the change to the stroke pathway in London that pretty much every "expert" clinician and MP told us would be a disaster and in actual fact was a success.

Ed Yelland ● 4018d

Sadly, a case of "we paid a fortune for this report, so it must be correct".Something that happens all too often when management consultants have either limited experience of the sector or base their findings on incomplete data from the client.As a former consultant I would have walked away if I felt that the client simply wanted me to 'rubber stamp' an already made decision. Some firms of 'experts' will not to that as, overarchingly, they simply want their fees.

Nigel Brooks ● 4019d

Anthony,If you put into your search engine Ealing CCG you will find who these doctors are. There are other people some with no photos (note I didn't say faceless). My concern is that McKinsey (the consultant)has taken its money and run and this group who are left holding the baby are too scared to react to the flawed plan falling apart in front of them. Many CCGs are "out of their depth" and it is beginning to look like a bonansa for McKinsey and other consultants.

Arthur Breens ● 4019d

Facebook is the wrong place for this.It's not something that many older people and many younger like myself want any truck with.Why is there not a simple website?

Anthony Waller ● 4020d

Who are these GPs and where do they practice?

Anthony Waller ● 4020d

Totally agree.  The CCG is basically breaking up existing health services and putting many of them on the market. It's something like a smiling assassin. Details and photos of this protest can be found on Ealing Save Our NHS Facebook page.

Oliver New ● 4023d