University College Hospital

Margot James Visits University College Hospital

Margot James met with Chief Executive Officer, Robert Naylor and head of nursing Louise Boden in December and toured the new hospital on Euston Road which will open in April 2005.

The history of the new hospital illustrates perfectly why hospitals need to be set free from central government control.  Years in the planning it almost got approval ten years ago but was shelved again when there was a change of Secretary of State.

Robert Naylor has voiced concerns that the new Foundation Status is being watered down and challenged by forces of inertia and conservatism in the system.  The Conservative Party is committed to closing the Strategic Health Authorities (SHAs).  Apart from releasing money to spend on front line patient care this will remove a layer of central control of foundation hospitals like UCH.

Frank Dobson stated in an article in the Independent newspaper in November that he saw no further need for public service reform.  He would have all the hospitals back where they were under Whitehall control.  I am pleased that our policies recognise the need for the continuing need for reform – putting power in the hands of patients and their families is an essential tool in the battle to get public sector institutions to respond to user needs.

The new hospital is fantastic.  Patients will receive state of the art care and facilities and it is very likely that this hospital will be a flagship among London teaching hospitals.  Like all major building projects you can’t believe they are going to open on time but the team at UCH were so impressive and dedicated that I would be very surprised if there were any delays to the official target of opening by April 2005.