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www.kentonline.co.uk
Monday, October 29, 2012 Medway Messenger (MI)
NEWS
A KM Group Newspaper incorporating Medway Today
Medway House, Ginsbury Close, Sir Thomas Longley Road, Medway City Estate, Strood ME2 4DU.
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Anger over £200k bill as foundation bid opposed EXCLUSIVE by Dan Bloom
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BLUNDERS at a mental health service meant Medway Council was billed for 1,000 patients when fewer than 350 existed, it is claimed. The Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) also allegedly promised patients medicine which didn’t turn up on time, made “recovery packs” but failed to tell social workers they existed, and arranged “engagement events” without telling a single councillor. Councillors made the claims after the council stripped KMPT of its contract for social work with adult mental health patients. The council took the patients back onto its books in February after declaring the service was badly under-performing – a move which cost taxpayers £2.3m. Now it has emerged the two bodies are still arguing over a final bill of £200,000. During a tense meeting, Cllr Andrew Mackness (Con) told KMPT bosses: “You were charging us for about 1,000 patients when we had actually transferred about 300 to 350. “We were being overcharged by a huge amount. I would like to know when that’s going to be refunded.”
Last chance to compete
THERE is still time for budding Medway chefs to enter the KM Kent Cooks competition. The closing date is Friday, for the competition which is open to five to 18-year-olds and is organised by the KM Charity Team, which promotes and supports healthy lifestyle services in schools. Finalists from primary, secondary and family categories will be invited to attend the cook-off on November 30, at East Kent College in Broadstairs, when category winners and the overall champion will be announced. Kent Farmers Market Association, which runs a market in Rochester, is sponsoring the contest. The event is also supported by East Kent College, Southern Water, Warburtons, DFDS Seaways, Brakes, Golding Homes and Dorling Kindersley. n Entries should be made at www.kmhealthylifestyles
Cllr Teresa Murray
Cllr Andrew Mackness
Questions over invoice Speaking after the meeting, cabinet member for social care Cllr David Brake (Con) said: “This invoice came into the system and our officers scrutinised it, only to find there was quite a disparity between the number of patients being quoted and the number we were inheriting. “We were told it was 1,000 people. When we looked at it, it was just in excess of 300.”
KMPT chief executive Angela McNab denied the claims, saying: “You may have been expecting a certain number of people, but I think the contract itself was not based on [patient] numbers. No one has suggested we should be refunding money to you.”
But a KMPT spokesman stood by the chief executive’s denial. He said: “Invoicing for 1,000 patients is not something we would do. It would have been based on staffing levels. “As with the closure of any contract, discussions take some time before final accounts are closed and these discussions are constructively progressing towards agreement.” The meeting was called so councillors could vote on KMPT’s bid to win the status of Foundation Trust, but the 13-strong committee formally opposed the bid. Councillors voiced anger over what they claimed was a consistent lack of communication from
KMPT to the council’s social workers. Volunteers were also concerned after patients’ medicines didn’t turn up on time, said Cllr Pat Gulvin (Con). Christine Baker from the Medway Pensioners Forum added: “We just don’t get the same treatment or the same information as the rest of Kent.” Cllr Teresa Murray (Lab) told KMPT: “There’s a bit of an air of complacency running through your bid.” Ms McNab replied: “We’re not satisfied or complacent. We recognise there’s areas where we have much further to go.” But committee chairman Cllr John Avey (Con) said: “I know you have done an awful lot, but I’ve got reservations myself about this [bid]. I’m not sure you’re ready yet.” n Formed in 2006, KMPT is paid by councils and the NHS to provide a range of community services. These include the disputed mental health social work contract, along with treating alcoholics and people with learning disabilities. Bosses claim Foundation Trust status will be the only way to free up its finances enough to survive changes to the NHS. If KMPT does not become a Foundation Trust, it will most likely have to pair with another Trust covering a wider region across the South East.
Watch Billy’s life unravel HE’S engaged to two women but wants to run away with a third, the girl he really cares about. Welcome to the complicated world of eternal daydreamer Billy Fisher. His tale is told in the musical Billy, the latest production by the Three Towns Theatre Company, which can be seen at The Brook Theatre, Chatham, later this week. n See Going Out, pages 18-19
The cast, with Tommy VinceDrew as Billy, Melanie Poynter, Debbie Davies and Kirsty Holyer, are busy rehearsing Picture: Peter Still FM2298519
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Photography course DO YOU want to learn how to take amazing photos? Training Them Live Media is running a two-day course for people of all ages. It will give participants the chance to improve their skills and techniques with tips and training from professional photographer Tommy Reynolds. The course will be at Greenacre School, Walderslade, on Thursday and Friday, from 10am to 4pm. Tommy said: “I am cramming years of learning into two days of teaching and can’t wait to get started.” The course costs £15 per person for under 25s and £35 per person for people 25 and over. n To find out more, email tom@ ttlmedia.co.uk
Plans rejected A BLOCK of eight flats a few yards from Rochester Cathedral has been refused planning permission. Developer Halpern Properties wanted to demolish singlestorey office buildings next to the cathedral car park, behind Peggoty’s Parlour cafe in Rochester High Street, to build the development. The scheme drew few complaints, but Medway Council’s planning committee said it would not fit with the historic area, would reduce amenities for locals and didn’t comply with housing standards.
Donor sessions BLOOD donor sessions are held at the Corn Exchange in Rochester tomorrow (Tuesday), from 2-4.30pm and 5.30-8pm. There are also sessions on Friday, when the mobile donor unit comes to Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Gillingham. Times are from 1.30-4.15pm and 5.30pm. n For information go to www. blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.
Help create a guy TAKE some old clothes along to create a guy for Bonfire Night at Riverside Country Park, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham. The session is for accompanied children aged five to 12 and runs from 10am to noon on Saturday. Places cost £2.50 per child, book on 01634 337432. n Bonfire Night events, page 12.
Story session SUGAR Skulls and Love Spoons is the title of a storytelling session for adults at the Hastings Arms, Lower Rainham Road, Gillingham, tomorrow (Tuesday), from 7.15pm. Admission £6, call 01634 852614.
Great turn-out DESPITE the miserable weather, about 50 people took part in a sponsored walk to raise money for Cancer Research UK. The walk took place at Shorne Woods Country Park and it is hoped about £1,500 was raised.