Contact: Denise Holden ext. 7338

e-mail: [email protected]

1. Summary and Purpose

1.1. This report provides Members with information about the issues brought to the attention of the Committee and the action taken as a result of this referral. The report sets out the inquiries received, the source of this inquiry, action taken and recommendations for further action. Where appropriate comments have been included and copies of briefings or other information attached.

1.2. The approach adopted provides the route through which Patient and Public Involvement Forums (established in 1 December) and other partner organisations (Hampshire district councils, NHS bodies, voluntary and independent sector providers and organisations that are representative of social care service users and carers) can raise issues with the Committee.

1.3. Where inquiries raised with the Committee are already subject to monitoring or other performance management activities the action taken will be focused on the local resolution of inquiries through appropriate sign-posting to the agency best placed to respond.

1.4. Where an issue cannot be satisfactorily resolved between the parties concerned then the Committee can consider options for further action.

1.5. The recommendations included in this report support Aim 5 of the Corporate Strategy (Improving Services) through the overview and scrutiny of health services in the Hampshire County Council area.

2. Recommendations for Action

2.1. Diagnostic and Treatment Centres: the Committee continues to follow the introduction of the new centres and the impact that they have on local services to ensure that these services are accountable to local people.

2.2. Patient and Public Involvement: the Committee notes the local progress of the Forums.

2.3. Redevelopment of Queen Alexandra Hospital and services in south east Hampshire: This issue is included as a standing item on the Committees agenda

· The Committee ensures that regular feedback is provided on progress with the PFI project at Queen Alexandra Hospital

· The Committee considers the response of Fareham and Gosport PCT to the public meetings currently being held in the area

2.4. Delayed Discharges: Regular reports are provided to the Committee by the Director of Social Services on progress with placing patients

2.5. Healthcare Commission: the Committee takes action to

_ formally respond to the Commission by 28 June highlighting the areas of concern identified by the Committee and our partners. This will include:

i. Foundation Hospitals

ii. Independent Sector Treatment Centres

iii. The interface between acute, community and primary care

iv. Service planning, PFI and LIFT (affordability and value for money)

_ share the work programme for 2004/05 with the Commission together with the reports and reviews completed in 2003/04

_ contribute to the work of the Commission shaping the criteria to guide inspections and the establishment of a `local presence'

2.6. Differential Tariffs: The Committee continues to press the Health Authority for a response

2.7. Andover Hospital: The Committee contacts the responsible NHS Trust to reaffirm its expectation that there will be early engagement with the Committee regarding any plans to develop or vary the services provided at Andover Hospital.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1. Published works

2. Documents that disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

File Location

None

Hampshire County Council: Health Review Committee: 25 May 2004

Inquiries Received and Action Taken

Hampshire County Council Annexe A

Health Review Committee

Patient and Public Involvement Forums in Hampshire: Key Contacts 25 May 2004

Background

This paper confirms the details of the Chairman, Forums Support Organisation and contact details for the Patient and Public Involvement Forums in Hampshire. These are statutory independent organisations with responsibilities for monitoring NHS Trusts and obtaining the views of patients and the public regarding health issues.

Patient and Public Involvement Forums Operating within the area of the Health Review Committee.

Other Patient and Public Involvement Forums operating in Hampshire

Hampshire County Council Annexe B

Health Review Committee: 25 May 2004

Health Commission: Feedback from conference 6 May 2004

Purpose

This briefing note provides an overview of the newly established Healthcare Commission and work currently underway to obtain feedback on the way in which the Commission intends to function.

As part of this process the Commission held a conference on 6 May. Key points from this event are set out below. The consultation period will run too the 28 June. More detailed information on the Commission can be found on www.healthcarecommission.org.uk

Further action by the Committee to build a working relationship with the Commission is also included.

Role of the Commission

The Healthcare Commission (HC) was established on 1 April. It has a wide-ranging mandate to assess the quality and value for money of healthcare across the NHS, independent and voluntary sector, and to promote improvement for patients and the public.

At the point that the HC was set-up, together with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), the Commission for Health Improvement and National Care Standards Commission ceased to exist. The HC has taken on some responsibilities of the Audit Commission and will also take over the responsibilities of the Mental health Act Commission. It is intended that the HC will provide the second stage of the NHS complaints procedure.

The Commission is required to pay particular attention to:

· The availability of, access to and quality and effectiveness of healthcare

· The economy and efficiency of the provision of healthcare

· The availability and quality of information provided to the public about healthcare

· The need to safeguard and promote the rights and welfare of children and the effectiveness of measures taken to do so.

Its statutory functions include

· Carrying out reviews and investigations of the provision of healthcare and the arrangements to promote and protect public health, including studies aimed at improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in the NHS.

· Promoting the co-ordination of reviews and assessments undertaken by other bodies

· Publishing information about the state of healthcare across the NHS and the independent sector, including the results of national clinical audits

· Reviewing the quality of data relating to health and healthcare

· Reviewing the performance of each local NHS organisation and awarding an annual rating of that organisation's performance

· Regulating the independent healthcare sector through annual registration and inspection

· Considering complaints about NHS bodies that they have not been able to resolve through their own complaints procedure

· Publishing surveys of the views of patients and staff.

The HC has a duty to work in partnership with the Audit Commission and CSCI.

Full details of the statutory framework within which the HC is required to function can be found on its web site.

Work Programme 2004/05

The Commission has set itself an ambitious programme of work for the coming year. This includes the completion of the assessments initiated by the Commission for Health Improvement and developing a number of new initiatives:

· Development of criteria to guide inspections

· Medicines management in primary care

· Joint reviews of adult mental health services with the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse and CSCI

· Developing an integrated framework for assessing children's services with OfSted

· Review of Foundation Trusts

The Commission will also pilot models for establishing a `local presence' in three areas.

The current consultation is testing this programme and the guiding principles of the Commission with a variety of audiences.

Action Recommended

1. The HRC formally responds to the Commission by 28 June highlighting the areas of concern identified by the Committee and our partners. This will include:

_ Foundation Hospitals

_ Independent Sector Treatment Centres

_ The interface between acute, community and primary care

_ Service planning, PFI and LIFT (affordability and value for money)

2. The Committee shares the work programme for 2004/05 with the Commission and the reports and reviews completed in 2003/04

3. The Committee contributes to the work shaping the criteria to guide inspections and the establishment of a `local presence'