In October I had the opportunity to spend two days at Ashford and St Peter’s Foundation Trust in Surrey. My visit turned out to be a perfectly timed introduction to my new job. I took over the role of Programme Director for the Visitor and Migrant NHS Cost Recovery Programme in November.
At Ashford and St Peter’s I had the privilege of meeting the fantastic staff and chatting to patients, including those being rehabilitated after a stroke. I saw the crucial role that staff in the Trust play, particularly those on reception, in establishing whether a patient is potentially chargeable for their NHS care. Sam Lamb gave me a great overview of the Overseas Visitor Manager (OVM) role and some of the challenges facing the profession. Helping to bust myths locally and support Trusts to recover the income they are owed is a vital function. With big pressure on NHS finances the role of the OVM has never been more important.
So I am delighted to lead the DH team working with finance teams across the NHS to ensure overseas visitors make a fair contribution to the cost of their NHS care.
This is a busy time for the programme. Last week we launched our consultation Making a fair contribution on proposals for extending cost recovery into other parts of the NHS including primary care and A&E. I hope you have all seen it and will respond to tell us what you think.
The proposals seek to bring the rest of the NHS into step with secondary care where the ability to recover costs of care from overseas visitors has been in place for a number of years.
I chaired a meeting recently with charities and organisations representing vulnerable groups to update them on the programme and hear their views. It was great to meet such a diverse range of organisations and those passionate about protecting vulnerable groups. Continuing this engagement will be crucial as the programme evolves and we explore whether and how cost recovery could work in other parts of the NHS.
I was in Dudley last week and in Morecambe Bay this week and plan to go on more visits in the coming months and hope to meet with as many trusts as possible.
If your trust would like a visit from the team please contact nhscostrecovery@dh.gsi.gov.uk.
Christmas is just around the corner and I’ll be taking stock of what I’ve learnt and seen in my first few weeks in the new job. In the meantime I hope you have a great festive break and recharge the batteries ready for a busy 2016.