2008 News

Shocking loss of confidential patient records by Kingston Hospital. 11/1/2008

Helen was shocked to learn of the loss of confidential patient records by Kingston Hospital last week and is
calling for the hospital to take action to make sure patient data is never lost again. The documents, found
abandoned at the side of the road, contained personal details including the names, dates of birth and test
results of 173 patients. The much-delayed NHS IT system may reduce the need for paper records to be
transferred between sites in future. However, our confidence in the security of data within any government
system has been damaged by incidents such as this and the loss of millions of records by HM Revenue &
Customs in November. The medical director of Kingston Hospital has apologised for the incident and letters
are being sent to the patients affected. Kingston Hospital has committed to a full and thorough investigation
involving the police and has set up a helpline for patients. These steps are welcomed, provided the results of
the investigation are made public, along with the actions that Kingston Hospital will take to ensure this never
happens again. Helen said “ I am very concerned that confidential patient records were left on a roadside,
with no evidence of any attempts to secure them from casual examination. On the back of the astonishingly
negligent data losses by HMRC last year, this seems to be further evidence that the protection of personal
data is not being taken sufficiently seriously by public services.” “I welcome the commitment from Kingston
hospital to a thorough investigation involving the police. It is essential that this investigation is totally
uncompromising and most importantly, results in action being taken to make sure this never happens again.”

Helen raises concerns about the consultation on Springboard’s future. 27/1/2008
The formal public consultation on the future of Springboard Resource Centre has begun. Springboard provides
very special services, helping people with mental health problems and learning difficulties, and is based at
Tolworth hospital. Springboard is threatened with closure as the local NHS struggles to resolve its financial
problems. This consultation is the result of determined campaigning by users, relatives and local Conservatives
(not least Cllr Mary Clarke) to ensure the centre gets a proper hearing, but the consultation seems to be
 heavily biased against Springboard.

The consultation sets out three options – (1) Keep Springboard, (2) Turn Springboard into a charity or social
enterprise, (3) Invest in the Early Intervention Service for young people and direct users of Springboard towards other mental health services and community activities. The consultation documents indicate that Springboard is a failing service, and particularly that it fails to secure employment for its users. From time to time, Springboard Users are transferred to Kingston Employment Service and may successfully gain employment, having benefitted hugely from their time at Springboard. Other service users are not in a position to consider employment and for these people Springboard provides valuable social contact and activity. Staff and relatives believe that for many of Springboard’s users, there will be no equivalent service if the centre is closed. There is a risk that some may end up in an acute psychiatric ward within weeks, as the loss of the service could trigger a severe relapse in their health. This would be a tragedy for the individuals concerned (and at the same time very expensive for the NHS).

Helen has raised the following concerns about the consultation: Is the consultation being sufficiently widely disseminated? The consultation documents seem to demonstrate a strong bias against Springboard – does this invalidate the consultation? The consultation document does not fully set out the options and does not give any indication of the sums of money involved – it therefore lacks critical information necessary to an informed public debate and decision. There seems to be a substantial gap between the costs of the proposed alternatives to Springboard and the saving made through closing the centre. Helen Whately will continue to campaign for Springboard, alongside Cllr Mary Clarke and the users and relatives of Springboard. She welcomes all supporters to join the campaign and to help save Springboard.

Helen said “I was very disappointed to discover that the consultation seems to be biased strongly against Springboard. The document suggests that the best outcome for all Springboard users would be employment, overlooking the fact that for some users this is not a real option. I have written to the Chief Executive of Kingston Primary Care Trust and the Patient Support Officer asking them to address the flaws in the consultation, particularly the impression given that Springboard is failing in the service it provides. I would also like to see the costs and potential savings set out in full in the consultation so local people can be fully informed about the options and where the money is going. “The Chief Executive of Kingston Primary Care Trust has previously stated that one of the reasons for the cuts is that they are focusing on national targets. Is this the root of the problem? Our NHS should be focusing on local needs, here in Kingston, not national targets.”

Don't Downsize Old Malden Library. 26/1/2008
On Saturday 26th January Conservatives protested outside Old Malden Library against Liberal Democrat threats to downsize the library and move it to another site. Hundreds of local residents signed a petition against the cuts. The library is a highly valued community hub and many local people would suffer if it were scaled down and moved away. This was very clear from many conversations with residents who signed the petition. Conservative Councillors presented the petition to the Council on 29th January 2008. It served as a wake-up call to our Liberal Democrat Council that people will not tolerate cuts to valued public services. Our council tax is among the highest in London and we see money being wasted on administration and unnecessary projects; in these circumstances there is no excuse for cutting back such a valued service as a local library.

Boris for Mayor. February 2008
Helen and her campaign team spent Thursday evening handing out newsletters for Boris Johnson, the next Mayor of London. The public were keen to learn more about Boris’ strategy to make London safer, especially plans to improve safety on trains and at stations.