MPs Welcome Deadline for SERCO (Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats)

Devon and Cornwall Liberal Democrats <info@devon-cornwall-libdems.org.uk>

MPs Welcome Deadline for SERCO

February 26, 2007 10:15 AM

News that SERCO has been given a twenty day deadline to improve Cornwall 's failing Out of Hours Health Service has received a cautious welcome from the MPs that helped secure it.

Following yesterday's (Tuesday) parliamentary debate, in which MP for Truro & St Austell Matthew Taylor won a promise from Health Minister Andy Burnham that he would take a personal interest in ensuring Cornwall's Out of Hours Health Service meets National Quality requirements, Cornwall's Primary Care Trust have today (Wednesday) announced that SERCO has 20 days to implement an Improvement Plan.

SERCO's three year contract is up for early review in April, and the PCT have not ruled out the possibility that it will be suspended.

Commenting, Matthew Taylor, MP for Truro & St Austell said:

"When I met with SERCO last week they told me it would take up to six months to make the necessary improvements to the out of hours service, which would mean that almost half of their three year contract had been spent in chaos. It is perfectly reasonable for patients to expect a good service from the start, especially as that's what they had been used to. Employing the staff to provide a quality service means no more cutting corners, and if that requires SERCO spending more that is simply what they'll have to do.

"The fact that the PCT is taking a stand and imposing a twenty day limit is encouraging. I'm just sorry that it took a Parliamentary debate to get here."

MP for West Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, Andrew George, added:

"It would be a pity if SERCO were let off the hook with what could only be seen as eleventh hour special pleading. I think it would be difficult for the company to reassure the public that they are capable of a long-term resolution of the need for a reliable Out of Hours GP service after what we've experienced in the last ten months."