On behalf of Stuart Bell, Chief Executive’s response

May 27, 2014 — The Complex Needs Service in Oxfordshire for people living with personality disorders was directly funded by the Department of Health for 8 years and then responsibility for funding transferred to NHS England. NHS England has planned to reduce this funding by 50% in 2014-15 and then fully by 100% from April 2015.

NHS England has agreed to this transitional funding for 2014-15 on the basis that local providers work together with commissioners to remodel services so that we are able to manage within the funds available. This presents significant challenges as in view of the financial position of Oxfordshire CCG they are only able to invest around £250,000 for the service which in effect means that the Oxfordshire Complex Needs service will in 2015/16 be funded at around a third of its previous (2013/14) level.

The Trust is conducting a clinical review and remodelling exercise as to how best we can continue to support the complex needs client group within the financial resources available to us going forward. This will be submitted to the Clinical Commissioning group by the end of June 2014 which will then give us sufficient time to implement necessary changes by March 2015.

The needs of people living with personality disorders are a priority for the Commissioners and the Trust and we are striving to deliver the best possible treatment options for this client group, working within difficult financial constraints.