York NHS reacts to independent criticisms
Local services labelled as “requires improvement”
The York Council will debate on Wednesday a report on the progress being made in addressing failings in NHS services in the City.
The report responds to a Care Quality Commission review last year in which 70% of the areas rated were judged to be ‘Good’, 25% as ‘Requires Improvement’ and 5% as ‘Inadequate’.
5 areas for immediate improvement were identified as;
- Safety and suitability of premises
- Systems for identifying, handling and responding to complaints
- Ensuring staff receive appropriate training, supervision and appraisals
- Ensuring there are enough suitably qualified, skilled and experienced staff at all times to meet patients’ needs
- Eliminating mixed sex accommodation
A report to the Councils Health Scrutiny Committee, details the changes that the Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was required to make and progress against targets.
The Trust claims to have achieved 96% of its improvement targets
NB. The same meeting will discuss a report on the direct payments made to individuals in York for care services. The Council has implemented a policy where those who opt for direct payments receive the payments to a personal account. There had been some concerns raised when payments had been made to third party organisations.
Crime up in Westfield
Compared to this time last year the number of crimes in the ward is currently up standing at 122 compared to 113 last year.
click to access more information
The main increases are in violence, arson/criminal damage and burglary.
Anti Social Behaviour is also up over the last 3 months compared to this time last year.
The police say this is down to the problem that they are having on Acomb Green with large groups of youths gathering there.
Residents have, however, begun to note similar problems developing in other areas including Foxwood – where there was a serious case of vandalism only last week
Details of local crime levels can be found by clicking here.
The expectation is that the new coalition run Council will review urgently the effectiveness of the so called “anti social behaviour hub” which concentrated neighbourhood policing resources into West Offices in the City centre when it was established 2 years ago.
The plan was criticised at the time for reducing the number of dedicated community constables, breaking long established links between community groups and local police officers who really understood neighbourhoods and residents.
Westfield used to have 2 identified police constables and 4 PCSOs. That is no longer the case and resources seem to be thin on the ground as we enter the summer period when street level crime often increases.
The Police no longer publish information indicating which officers serve which wards and neighbourhoods although some police surgeries do still take place. None are currently advertised on the west York Police web page
It looks like prompt action is now required to reassure residents about policing policies and resource allocations.