AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE, SOUTHAMPTON, PORTSMOUTH AND ISLE OF WIGHT HEALTH SCRUTINY JOINT COMMITTEE held at the Civic Centre, Southampton on Wednesday, 24 March 2004

PRESENT

9. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 11 December 2003 were confirmed as a correct record.

10. FOUNDATION HOSPITALS

Denise Holden gave details of the hospitals that had sought foundation status and the consultation process each had to follow. The Chairman said that most hospitals' patients came from a very wide area and highlighted the fact that in Portsmouth and Southampton over 60% of the patients came from outside the cities. Concern was expressed as to the possible governance of the foundation hospitals. Jane Hayward of the Strategic Health Authority, who attended on the invitation of Southampton City Council, gave details of the consultation process in respect of Southampton General Hospital and its proposed governance; concern was expressed at the lack of representation from Fareham and Gosport as a large proportion of patients from those areas were admitted to Southampton General Hospital.

11. MATERNITY SERVICES IN SOUTHEAST HAMPSHIRE

John Haskell reported that there had been no formal consultation on the proposals for maternity services in Southeast Hampshire. He had met with the NHS Director of Planning and advised that there must be clear preferred options put forward for consultation, but nothing had been received to date. The Chairman reported that he had met with the Chairman of Fareham and Gosport PCT that morning, who was aware of the consultation process but did not know the current position.

12. HEALTHFIT

Each authority gave an update on their response to HealthFit. The Isle of Wight had prepared a comprehensive response, which had been circulated to Members. They stressed that, unless appropriate infrastructures were in place, the proposals in HealthFit would not be able to work. They highlighted the hardship of some Isle of Wight citizens not being able to afford transport and the fact that there had been no negotiations with ferry companies to try and arrange discounts in an effort to alleviate the problem. Southampton had recently responded on HealthFit and their response was circulated at the meeting. They highlighted the problem with the Royal South Hants Hospital, which was in the city, and its proposed alignment with Winchester and Eastleigh Trust. They took the strong view that the Royal South Hants Hospital should be Southampton's Community Hospital, and not an extension of Southampton General Hospital. Portsmouth were still in the process of preparing a response. Hampshire's response had been circulated; they took the view that the proposals needed further scrutiny, as there were issues raised that were not in the original proposals and there was a lack of patient public involvement. They had raised a number of points with the Health Authority and were awaiting a reply.

The Chairman said that, at present, the Health Authority had only circulated a discussion document on the HealthFit proposals and a formal consultation was still awaited. Once received, each authority would make its own response and there would also be a joint response from the Committee

13. PPI FORUMS - LIAISON ARRANGEMENTS

John Haskell reported his concerns about liaison arrangements for PPI Forums; despite efforts to meet, there had been very little progress. The Chairman reported similar problems and was concerned at the refusal to release the names of the Chairman and members of the PPI Forums. He had written a letter to Sharon Grant, Chairman of the Commission for Public Patient Involvement, expressing his concerns. Southampton and the Isle of Wight had had similar experiences and all said that there was a need to know PPI Forum memberships to be able to work with them. There was also the question as to whether the PPI Forum meetings that had taken place were quorate.

14. UPDATE FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Southampton

Thematic reviews were being undertaken on smoking, with a perspective on what the City Council had control over, the enforcement of legislation and encouragement to quit and dental health in schools and residential homes, including the fluoridation policy.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth's Health Scrutiny Committee had not met since December, but the next meeting would consider proposals for reviews. The problem of obesity was being considered as a possible topic for review.

Isle of Wight

Concentration on HealthFit had been the main priority. Planning of the year's programme would happen in May.

Hampshire

The thematic reviews on the Health of Children Looked After and the Health of School Age Children had now been completed and further reviews were being considered at the next meeting. A programme of 30 minute lunchtime walks at various places around the County was under way in an effort to counteract obesity. Being an "excellent" authority, the Deputy Prime Minister's office had funded an "innovations project" and Hampshire had been given a lead on looking at providing time for nurses to work with Social Services. The first select hearing had been heard in conjunction with Surrey County Council, concerning the establishment of a single mental health and learning disability trust for Surrey and Northeast Hampshire. The 28 day response time was due to end shortly and results were awaited. The report of the Surrey and Hampshire Joint Scrutiny Committee had been circulated. Arrangements were in hand to meet with all PCT Chairmen, and all Members of the Committee were invited to attend. It was agreed that 4 May 2004 would be the most convenient date for everyone.

15. PRESS RELEASES

It was agreed that there was no need for any press releases following this meeting.

16. MEETINGS 2004

RESOLVED:

That meetings of the Committee for the remainder of 2004 should take place as follows:-

7 July 2004 at Isle of Wight
13 September 2004 at Portsmouth
8 December 2004 at Winchester

all meetings to commence at 10.00 a.m.