THE NHS in Devon is undergoing major changes in the Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STP’s), soon to move on to their next phase as Accountable Care Systems (ACS).

These wide-ranging changes are being put in place at great speed.

Doubts have been cast over the process as they involve close co-operation between the NHS and local authorities. But a National Audit Office report on adult social care staffing reveals serious problems of recruitment and retention.

And a leaked document from NHS England has revealed that it will not be producing a national strategy for community care. This is a poor foundation for co-operation.

The Commons Health Select Committee, chaired by Sarah Wollaston, MP for Totnes, is holding an Inquiry into STPs and ACOs and called for written evidence on the process. There were two Devon councillors amongst many raising serious issues.

Cllr Martin Shaw submitted questions which had been raised in January with Devon County Council’s Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee. He highlighted that implementation of the ACS, which is supposed to involve the Council in an essential partnership role with the NHS, is due to start on April 1 and asks: “Why haven’t this Committee, Council and the public been informed and consulted, and why has no authority been obtained for the Council’s role in the preparation of the ACS?”.

Cllr Mike Allen addressed the lack of impact assessments in STPs especially around rurality related to the closure of community hospitals. He illustrates the problems in Devon but his submission includes a list of other areas where the rural impact of hospital closures is an issue.

He writes: “East Devon District Council voted unanimously (less one) in December 2017 to ask the Leader of East Devon District Council to request Sarah Wollaston, Chair of the Parliamentary Health Select Committee, to investigate the effects on Rural Communities of the STP actions and to test if Rural Proofing Policies have been correctly applied to these decisions in order to protect these communities.”

Jeremy Hunt was due to make some changes to NHS legislation, but has delayed them pending a consultation period following pressure from Sarah Wollaston’s Committee.

In the light of the written evidence, the NAO report and the lack of a plan for community care, will her Committee call for an evaluation of whether the plans are fit for purpose at all– or should she be calling for a halt.

For the National Audit Office report visit: www.nao.org.uk/report/the-adult-social-care-workforce-in-england/ .

Deborah Harrington, Public Matters