PCT set to become social enterprise

Kingston PCT is currently considering a range of options for a future management structure – but the preferred choice is a social enterprise like those backed by junior health minister Lord Ara Darzi in his Next Stage Review of the NHS.

Board papers published this month show management consultant firm Newchurch has drawn up four proposals for the future shape of the PCT.

The proposals are that the PCT’s ‘provider’ function either continues as part of the PCT, is sold to another organisation, is split and its services sold off to different organisations, or becomes a separate social enterprise.

Kingston PCT’s board is set to make a decision on the matter in mid-September and a spokesperson for the trust confirmed that the social enterprise model is the ‘current direction of travel’.

Lord Darzi’s document encourages social enterprises by allowing staff involved to continue with their NHS pensions.

Michael Walker, Unison’s London regional officer, said: ‘We going to be examining all options very carefully – we will be prepared for all options.’

Siobhan Clarke, Kingston PCT’s managing director of provider services, said: ‘We are currently considering the development of a social enterprise which incorporates the underpinning values and principles of the NHS.

'We are assured of the support of NHS London who will be working with us to gain further clarity on the ‘pension passport’ issues.

‘We have been talking about the advancement of entrepreneurs within nursing, therapies and medicine for a very long time – what better chance do we have than this to realise such an ambition?’

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