NHS money squandered on wrong kind of consultants

 

Figures obtained by Croydon North Labour MP Steve Reed, through Freedom of Information, reveal that the NHS spent £11.5million on the failed Better Services Better Value NHS consultation.

BSBV was looking at ways to reorganise the NHS in South West London – and was considering options including downgrading Croydon University Hospital’s A&E, maternity and children’s wards

As part of BSBV, a private firm of consultants was hired to provide options, including the recommendation to cut services in Croydon. The South London Commissioning Support Unit now admit that costs totalled “in the region of £1.64 million” from the £11.5million spent on running the consultation.

In response to the figures, Steve Reed MP said

“It is disgraceful that £11.5million has been wasted on a botched consultation when our primary schools are full and our NHS is struggling to maintain high standards of care.

“£11.5 million could pay for a much-needed new primary school in Croydon or it could hire more doctors and nurses for our hospitals. People in Croydon deserve better than to see their hard-earned money frittered away in this manner.”