THE NHS TRAFFIC WARDEN - A DOCTOR'S
NIGHTMARE
INTRODUCING UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL OF
WALES CARDIFF AND VALE NHS TRUST
"This accountability will
include responsibility for ensuring that resource management decisions
achieve best value for money and are compliant with the financial systems
and procedures laid down by the Trust in promoting the efficient and
economical use of resources".
ABOUT CARDIFF AND VALE NHS TRUST
"Cardiff and Vale
NHS Trust is a new organization, made up of two former NHS Trusts:
- Cardiff and District
Community NHS Trust
- University Hospital of
Wales & Llandough Hospital NHS Trust
The formation of this new
organisation has provided us with the opportunity to develop a fully
integrated service for the local population, with community and acute
aspects, as well as providing a sound basis for the continuation of our
tertiary services. The Trust is the biggest in Wales and one of the
largest in the UK, with an annual budget in excess of £360
million and a workforce of more than 10,000. We cover a population of
900,000 for regular services, reaching well over a million for some of the
more specialist services that the Trust also provides."
MR DAVID" WHO WANTS
TO BE A MILLIONAIRE " EDWARDS
THE
ROLE OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE
Achieving the Trust's
statutory, legal and financial obligations;
Developing alliances and
working in partnership with a variety of health and other related
agencies, together with organisations within the public, private and
voluntary sectors."
David
Edwards clearly is a self made man. Despite his rugged elderly look and
his poor taste in suits, we felt he would be able to resolve the situation
described below. After all, "He is professionally qualified as a
member of both the British Institute of Management and the Institute of
Healthcare Management".
I wrote to him with the usual vigour and
expectation that a man so qualified would be able to finish what was
started by a company whom he had an agreement with.
In his letter he wrote " Should
you persist in issuing threats to the Trust's good name this matter will
be passed to our solicitor" ( DSE/PT). What was it that you said
on your website, Mr Edwards? Let us see
"Be reassured that their views
are both sought and taken into account, for example, through focus groups
and satisfaction surveys which will contribute to the continuous
improvement in service quality" and "be assured that effective
mechanisms are in place to address specific grievances and complaints and
that these have a positive impact upon organisational learning"
I am crumbling and shaking in my boots Mr.
Edwards! Many solicitors have tried and many have failed. I would love to
be the object of your solicitor's attentions for the next few months!
The Trust's good name? Does the Trust have
a good name? Shall we see the evidence Mr Edwards? Let it be known that I
gave Mr Edwards the option to resolve this situation before publication of
this piece. Clearly, he felt that his stance on the matter was correct and
so here we are.
Incidentally, before I divulge some
information about your Trust, I will say that it would be my pleasure for
your Trust to sue me. Entertaining as you are, you certainly need a course
in customer relations. Did you miss that part out of your business
qualifications?
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL WALES. CARDIFF AND
VALE NHS TRUST IN ASSOCIATION WITH PRIVATE PARKING COMPANY APCOA
THE HOSPITAL THAT SUPPORTS TRAFFIC WARDENS
RATHER THAN THEIR STAFF.
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN APCOA AND THE TRUST
Quoted from the letter from the infamous
Mr. Edwards
a) The Trust has a PFI agreement
with Impregilo UK for the provision of car parking. This agreement was
subject to external scrutiny and complies with Treasury guidance on such
schemes. (In other words, the Government has blessed this way of
obtaining finances from staff of the NHS. Is this a form of extortion?)
b) The Trust agreed with
APCOA (the car park Management Company) and staff representatives that a
form of enforcement was required. The form agreed was written penalty
notices and fines
c) The Trust and APCOA have agreements
in relation to any staff being called unto the hospital in emergencies and
these procedures work well (Do they??!!) . Any fine given in such
circumstances is appealable and would normally be rescinded.
d) Where any member of staff receives a
penalty they are advised of their rights and what procedure to follow on
the actual ticket. It is the individuals responsibility to respond as the
fine is issued to the individual by APCOA. THE TRUST HAS NO DIRECT ROLE IN
THESE MATTERS. (We quote from their own site "The Trust has a
duty to ensure that the people we serve have a voice in the way services
are provided and developed")
We conclude
In part B the Trust agrees with APCOA. In
part C " The Trust and APCOA" have agreements and all of a
sudden in part D when staff try and resolve this matter they state "
THE TRUST HAS NO DIRECT ROLE IN THESE MATTERS"
MR EDWARDS, IN OUR WORLD WE CALL THAT "AVOIDING
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES" WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH.
