43. Gloucestershire
In October 2018, the chief executives of NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to all STP leaders instructing them to come up with new five year plans by autumn 2019. The new five-year plans will replace those which were drawn-up in 2016 based on the previous five-year funding settlement to 2020-21. The new five year STP will be developed based on a new NHS England budget.
The letter notes that “It will be extremely important that you develop your plans with the proper engagement of all parts of your local systems and that they provide robust and credible solutions for the challenges you will face in caring for your local populations over the next five years.”
NOTE: The information on this page relates to the original STP drawn up in 2016, however much of the information is still relevant and could be part of the new STP.
What does the STP mean for your area?
Health planners are trying to reduce NHS deficits and think about ways to re organise care. However getting the large deficits under control could prevent facilities being developed that can cope with the health and care social needs of local people.
Proposed cuts
82 GP surgeries in the county will be merged into 16 GP hubs.
By 2021, the aim is that there will be an approximate reduction of 3,900 emergency admissions, 3,900 elective admissions, 125,000 fewer outpatient appointments and 6,700 fewer A&E attendances.
Lydney & District Hospital and Dilke Hospital in the Forest of Dean will close by 2020/21 and be replaced by a single centre, which could lead to fewer beds overall. The closure went against the public consultation, that in January 2018, the public consultation opted for no closure.
Lack of investment
In Gloucestershire alone, it is estimated a £150 million capital is needed to deliver the STP projects, but campaigners have noted that the STP contains no mention of where the money is coming from.
The financial problems facing the area was highlighted in May 2017, with the latest figures of the Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust showing that the deficit increased almost fourfold from £11 million in September 2016 to £42 million in April 2017.
Changes in who organises our care
New ‘models of care’ are being investigated focused on redesigning community based care.