The Healthcare Commission announced the results of its annual health check last week, revealing the use of resources (finances) at both West Sussex Primary Care Trust and Worthing and Southlands hospitals was weak for 2006/07.

Both the hospital and the PCT scored "fair" ratings for quality of services, which for Worthing Hospital was a fall from a "good" rating the year before.

Challenges

In a press release sent out by the PCT, it failed to mention the weak rating for resources.

But Sue Galley, assistant director of communications, said: "While we didn't use the word 'weak' in the director of finance's comment, he acknowledged the financial challenges and the deficits of former organisations."

The director, Neil Ferrelly, said: "We always knew that bringing five organisations together would create financial challenges, as four of these organisations were in deficit."

Five PCTs, including Adur, Arun and Worthing PCT, merged to form the West Sussex trust on October 1, 2006.

Mr Ferrelly added: "It's important to remember the published figures reflect the situation in the financial year 2006/07. Already this year we are on target to achieve financial balance."

The PCT said it was pleased with a good rating in working to improve the health of local people, and with findings which showed the number of teenage pregnancies and people dying from cancer had been reduced.

Disappointed

Chief executive John Wilderspin said: "We are disappointed that during a year of transition our rating for the quality of services we provide was only fair.

"We know there are many areas where we are performing well.

"However, we also know there are areas where we need to make more progress so we can continue improving health care for the people of West Sussex."

At Worthing and Southlands, the commission found the hospital had fully met the required core standards of service and targets in areas such as waiting times and patient access.

It also found the trust to be managing its finances better than it was a year ago, although the rating remained as weak.

But, the progress the hospitals made towards a new range of targets was considered fair.

Confident

Chief executive Stephen Cass said: "Of course the trust is disappointed its overall rating has slipped because it was unable to meet two targets (MRSA case numbers and progress towards the 18-week referral to treatment time target].

"However, I am confident the trust has measures in place to regain a good rating next year.

"2006/07 was a very challenging year for the trust as it took tough action to restore financial stability."

The South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust scored fair for both use of resources and its quality of service.

And Worthing-based Sussex Partnership NHS Trust, which provides mental health services in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex and West Sussex, was rated good overall.

What do you think?

Has all the change taken its toll on the PCT?

What do you think about the quality of service at Worthing Hospital?

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