NHS funds non-existent operations

The NHS in Cornwall has spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on more than 1,400 operations which never happened, the BBC has learned.

Managers contracted Capio, a private healthcare company, to carry them out but fewer than a fifth went ahead.

But the NHS will still have to pay for procedures that did not take place.

North and East Cornwall Primary Care Trust said it would now be working with Capio and GPs to increase the number of procedures carried out.

In a statement the PCT, which set up the Bodmin Treatment Centre, said: "Initial activity at the centre has been lower than planned.

"The PCT are working with GPs and Capio to increase the activity undertaken at the Treatment Centre, which will mean that many patients will be treated much closer to home."

Chris Sealey, general manager of Capio Cornwall, said: "We're visiting GP practices on a regular basis, in most weeks we visit at least one.

Operation numbers

• Bodmin - contracted to carry out 1505 procedures, carried out 281 (19%)
• Duchy - contracted to carry out 520 procedures, carried out 318 (61%)

"We've seen hundreds of patients now and many are now going back to say how well they've been treated. That's the best testament."

The majority of operations were provided at the Bodmin centre, which carries out cataract operations, diagnostic tests and handles other day cases.

Other treatments were also booked at the company's Duchy Hospital in Truro.

But according to figures released under the Freedom of Information Act, in its first three months, the Bodmin centre carried out 1224 fewer operations and tests than it was contracted to.

At basic NHS rates that means more than £500,000 was spent on procedures that were never done.

"The centre has actually been set up to a high standard, it's the incorporation of it into the NHS which has failed"
Dr Sarah Gray

From October to December last year, Capio's Duchy Hospital in Truro carried out over 200 fewer operations than the NHS ordered - a difference of over £120,000.

Primary care trusts in the county will have to pay that anyway as a new contract period started in April.

However, the same financial security is not given to NHS-run hospitals such as the Royal Cornwall Hospital at Treliske in Truro.

Dan Rogerson, Lib Dem MP for North Cornwall said: "It does seem a real waste of money that it has been spent on procedures that weren't done."

Cornwall GP Dr Sarah Gray said: "The centre has actually been set up to a high standard, it's the incorporation of it into the NHS which has failed."

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Department of Health
North and East Cornwall Primary Care Trust
Capio
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