Archived decisions

Contact: Yvonne Le Brun, ext 7790 or Carole Bennett, ext 7153

1. Introduction

1.1 At its meeting on 14^th December, this Committee received a report on the NHS Performance Improvement Plan for North and Mid Hampshire, known as the `PIP'. The local health organisations have been required by the Department of Health to produce a plan setting out how they intend to meet the early targets of the 10 year national NHS Plan and achieve a financial balance by 2004. While the NHS in North and Mid Hampshire is performing well, there is currently a financial deficit of £7.5 million. The PIP comprises a number of separate plans developed by the local Primary Care Groups and Trusts.

1.2 The public information document about the PIP `Improving Performance in North and Mid Hampshire: Setting the Context' states that most of the plans will not involve changes to the way patient services are delivered but savings will come from doing things differently and through more efficient use of NHS land and buildings. Views are welcomed but it is not a consultation document.

1.3 Where proposals do require changes to the way in which patient services are delivered, the public will be consulted and a companion document entitled `Paper 1: Consultation on proposals to modernise health services in North Hampshire by redesigning intermediate care and developing new partnerships for orthodontics' is the first of a series of proposals emanating from the Performance Improvement Plan. This document is out for consultation until 31 January 2002.

2. Proposals to redesign intermediate care and develop new partnerships for orthodontics.

2.1 The report to Committee of 14^th December informed Members of the first phase of public consultation on changes necessary to implement the PIP. This phase is concerned specifically with two health services in North Hampshire, namely services for elderly, mentally infirm people currently provided by The Chase Hospital, Bordon and orthodontic services in Basingstoke. The view of the Director of Social Services was that additional information was needed in order to fully understand the proposals and the implications for local residents and the County Council's services.

2.2 The Director has therefore written to the Health Authority seeking the necessary information, which is set out in Appendix 1, and anticipates that the response of the Health Authority will be available for the meeting of 24^th January.

3. Improving Performance in North and Mid Hampshire: Setting the Context

3.1 At the meeting in December, Committee noted that whilst the PIP seeks to achieve savings of £7.5m, the current consultation is only on proposals which will save approximately £500,000. Members felt that in order for the County Council to make any meaningful comments, there was a need for more details about the overall PIP and all proposed service changes. Members also wished to have the opportunity to question the Chief Executive of the Health Authority on the matter and to extend an invitation to Community Health Council representatives to today's meeting.

Recommendation

That the Policy and Resources Policy Review Committee be informed:

1. That a report be presented to Cabinet to agree the formal response of the County Council and that the comments and views of the Committee will be reported.

Appendix 1

Consultation on proposals to redesign intermediate care and develop new partnerships for orthodontics.

Additional Information and Clarification Requested from the Health Authority

a. Orthodontic Services

· At a time when demand nationally for orthodontic services is increasing, the service is planned to cater for a 54% reduction on referral levels as at 1999/2000.

· It is unclear where and how Grade 4 patients will be treated

· While the proposal will generate savings, the impact on NHS plan targets is not stated.

· The problems associated with `single handed consultants' are not addressed i.e. lack of peer support, holiday and sickness cover, undue pressures and training recognition.

· That some Hampshire residents will be required to travel to Guildford for treatment

b) Intermediate Care

· The possible financial impact for Social Services in terms of the plan's aim to care for more people in non hospital settings. It is not clear whether the PIP costing includes social care.

· The costings for the new service are hard to understand. The current service caters for approximately 8 people for five days a week (plus Home from Hospital patients) at a cost of £296,000 per annum. The proposed service will cater for 40 people and accept referrals seven days week at a cost of £425,000 per annum.

· While the proposal will generate savings, the impact on NHS plan targets is not stated.

· The proposal in the context of the capacity of the independent sector, recognising that in the last three years approximately 100 beds have been lost within the Bordon area.