‘No change’ is not an option

Published: 22 September, 2011

• I AM writing in response to the letter to the Editor from Unison (September 15).

We are in the middle of a large staff change consultation process, which proposes considerable change for staff.

We are meeting regularly with the unions and staff throughout the three-month consultation.

To date the information and comments received have been invaluable and we are listening very carefully and giving serious consideration to each and every comment.

We welcome the opportunity to meet further with our union representatives to help clear up the misunderstandings and inaccuracies in last week’s letter.

We will continue to consult our staff and their representatives through our normal internal processes and encourage constructive discussion.

The trust has worked with a range of staff and carefully planned the proposals which are based on models of best practice.

We have worked to ensure that changes to services and service users are positive.

It is true that we are proposing to reduce some roles and to redesign a large proportion of posts to restructure our workforce and ensure that we can continue providing high quality services into the future.

I am urgently reviewing the communication to service users to ensure that they have improved access to accurate material.

While these proposed changes are intended to be positive, they also need to be seen in light of the very substantial savings the trust has to achieve in this and subsequent financial years.

This includes £12.7million in 2011/12.

This means that no change is not an option.

It is noteworthy that the bulk of the financial efficiencies are being realised through consolidation of our estates and reduction in overheads.

The improvements to services are based on clinical evidence, and no services are being withdrawn or restricted; in fact some new services will be developed and others have their access opened up.

The trust absolutely wishes to ensure we continue to provide our well regarded and high quality services and we recognise and value the key role played by our dedicated staff.

WENDY WALLACE
Chief Executive, Camden & Islington NHS Foundation Trust