ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 26 July 2005

PRESENT

Councillors: Dr. R.J. Ellis (Chairman); Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott (Vice-Chairman);

Mrs. A. Buckley; N. Clarke; Mrs. P. Dickens; P. Edgar; K. Evans; D. Harrison;

Mrs. M. Kerley; P.K. Mason; R.C. McIntosh; E. Neal; Mrs. E. Still; D. Welch;

Mrs. P.A. West; D.F. Wright

Also in attendance Councillor F. Charlton (Portsmouth City Council)

10. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that where they believed that they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally, at the time of debate, declare their interest and, having regard to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed.

Councillor Mrs. P. Dickens declared a personal interest in that she is employed by the NHS; Councillor Mrs. P.A. West declared a personal interest in that she is a member of the Andover Reconfiguration Board and her daughter-in-law is a paramedic; Councillor D.F. Wright declared a personal interest in that his wife is a General Practice Manager and Councillor P.K. Mason declared a personal interest in that he is employed by the Ambulance Service.

11. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 31 May 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

12. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(a) Training Session

The Chairman reported that a training session had been held for members on the 23 June. Topics covered included the legislative framework supporting Health Overview and Scrutiny, the health economy in Hampshire and the role of the P&PIFs.


(b) The State of Healthcare 2005

The Chairman reported that the Healthcare Commission had published `the State of Healthcare 2005'. This highlights specific issues relating to mental health, sexual health and maternity services.


(c) Monitoring of NHS Trusts

The Chairman reported that copies of the proposed process for monitoring NHS Trusts by the Healthcare Commission had been received. This included a specific expectation with regard to input from the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees (HOSCs). There had been no consultation on the process identified and there was, potentially, significant workload for HOSCs with large complex areas, such as Hampshire. The implications of this for the Committee's work plan was currently being evaluated.


(d) Public Health Initiatives

The Chairman reported that work had begun to map the public health initiatives operating in the County Council and NHS, this would be used to inform the review planned by the Committee.


(e) Star Ratings

The Chairman reported that the star ratings for NHS Trusts were due to be published on Wednesday.


(f) Bedhampton House Respite Care Home

The Chairman reported that he had been advised that Bedhampton House Respite Care Home was to close. He had made representations to the PCT about the closure and advised other members who had been contacted about the closure to also voice their concerns to the PCT.

13. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

14. CO-OPTION OF DISTRICT MEMBERS

The Chief Executive reported that the Association of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Authorities had nominated Councillor Mrs. M. Kerley to fill the vacancy on the Committee for district members.

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs. M. Kerley be appointed as a co-opted members of the Committee.

15. INQUIRIES RECEIVED AND ACTION TAKEN

The Chief Executive presented a report on inquiries received the source of each inquiry and the action taken (Item 6 in the Minute Book). He gave details on the temporary closure of the Grange and Blackbrook Birth Centres; cleanliness in hospitals; compliance with the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines and the Ambulance Service estates strategy. Following the circulation of the agenda the Chief Executive had been advised that Patient and Public Involvement Forum for the Ambulance Trust had decided that the Ambulance Estate Strategy was a substantial change and, as a result, the Ambulance Trust would need to proceed to public consultation on the proposals. As the proposals affected more than one Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in Hampshire, Hampshire Ambulance Service Trust would be invited to attend the next Joint Meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and actions outlined in the report be endorsed subject to:-

(a) Ambulance Service Estates Strategy consultation document being circulated to all members as soon as it was available.


(b) The Committee being updated on local compliance with NICE guidance and the temporary closure of birthing centres at its next meeting.

16. PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP OR VARY NHS SERVICES

The Chief Executive presented a report on proposals to vary or develop health services in the area of the Committee (Item 7 in the Minute Book). He presented the report in two parts which comprised of items of information which alerted the Committee to forthcoming proposals from the NHS to vary or change services and items for action which set out the actions required by the Committee to respond to proposals from the NHS to substantially change or vary NHS Services.

Under items for information he gave details on:-

Mid and South West Hants Cluster: Surgical Services Reconfiguration

Progress was being made with agreeing the clinical model for surgery and additional work was required with regard to finances. The proposal was not ready for formal consultation.

The Future of Health Services in Fareham and Gosport

Peter Viggers MP had recently had a meeting with the Minister on these issues and the Chairman had, again, written to the Minister requesting that the matter be dealt with urgently.

Southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan

The Strategic Health Authority had confirmed its commitment to meeting Section 11 duties and that the capacity plan was intended to provide an overarching umbrella strategic framework. When ready each proposal would be developed locally and be subject to consultation with partners, including the Committee.

Acute Paediatric Services/ Maternity Services Review

The Strategic Health Authority had signalled its intention to review these services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and external consultants had been contracted to lead this work.

Under items requiring action he gave details on:-

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare Trust/Mid Hants PCT: Changes to Rehabilitation Services at Andover War Memorial Hospital

A draft consultation document had now been received setting out proposals for developing rehabilitation and a range of other non-acute services currently provided at Andover War Memorial Hospital. Representatives from the Trusts attended the meeting and gave details of the proposals which would be published for formal consultation in mid August. The Chief Executive gave details of additional information that had been sought from the Trust.

East Hampshire PCT: Changes to Community Service Configuration in Emsworth and Havant

Following the Committee's previously indicated support for service modernisation that would deliver timely services as locally as possible and prevent older people having to be admitted to hospital, the proposal, which is now the subject of consultation, had now been published by East Hampshire PCT. A two month consultation period had commenced on 20 July 2005. The Chief Executive reminded members of the issues that needed to be addressed by the PCT.

Maternity Services in Southeast Hampshire

The Portsmouth, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Joint Committee had advised the lead PCT involved of its recommendations which were attached to the report. The lead PCT had now formally voted to support stand alone birthing centre on Portsea Island and had requested additional time for their formal response to the Joint Committee.

Southwest Alliance - Community Strategy Services for Older People

Following an informal meeting with the Committee on 7 July 2005 to share progress with developing proposals for reconfiguration services for older people the Alliance had now published a consultation document. Formal consultation would conclude on 30 September 2005.

North Hampshire PCT: Changes to the Configuration of Services at Alton Community Hospital

The PCT had written to the Chairman outlining steps being taken to protect standards of care as a result of staff shortages at Alton Community Hospital. The PCT was now working with local people to remodel the services provided by the hospital to maintain its 24 beds and provide alternative support services to older people living in the area. Representatives from the PCT explained the proposals to members and said that further work with stakeholders would be carried out prior to a formal consultation document being produced.

Southwest Hampshire PCTs: Out of Hours Consultation

Further to their presentation at the last meeting of the Committee the Southwest Hampshire PCTs had now launched a formal consultation on the provision of out of hours services in the area. The consultation would conclude on 27 September 2005.

Southampton City PCT: Modernising Community Services

The PCT had gone to public consultation on the configuration of rehabilitation services for older people. Further information had been sought on the proposals. The response from the PCT had now been received and was circulated to members.

Portsmouth City PCT: Changes to Substance Misuse Service

The PCT had advised the Committee of proposals to improve service for people who require services. Discussions would now be taking place with Portsmouth City Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and other key stakeholders to determine if this was a substantial change to service provision.

Portsmouth City PCT: Changes to Low Secure Rehabilitation Services

The PCT had advised the Committee of proposals to remodel the provisions of low secure services in southeast Hampshire. Discussions would now be taking place with Portsmouth City Overview and Scrutiny Committee and other key stakeholders to determine if this was a substantial change to services.

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) Mid and South West Hants Cluster: Surgical Services Reconfiguration

The Committee be up-dated on progress with developing the surgical service proposal at its next meeting.


(b) The Future of Health Services in Fareham and Gosport

The Committee be apprised of the response from the Minister as soon as it was received.


(c) Southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan

The Committee be advised of the next draft of the capacity plan.


(d) Acute Paediatric Services/ Maternity Services Review

The Committee be advised of the full business plan developed to support this work.


(e) Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust (WEHT) Mid Hants PCT: Changes Day Surgery and Rehabilitation Services


(i) The Committee receives the response from WEHT to issues set out in paragraph 6.2 of the Chief Executive's report.


(ii) The Committee reviews the consultation and engagement process with input from the relevant P&PIFs, district councils and other key stakeholders.


(iii) Additional questions from Committee members be directed to WEHT through the Health Review Manager up to a week prior to the closing date of the consultation.


(f) East Hampshire PCT: Changes to Community Service Configuration in Emsworth and Havant


(i) A further report be presented to the next meeting of the Committee on the PCT's response to the issues raised in paragraph 7.1 of the Chief Executive's report.


(ii) The PCT confirms the work undertaken to secure the views of local people and key stakeholders and sets out the process by which these have informed the preferred option to be presented to the Board.


(iii) Further questions from members about the proposal be directed to the PCT through the Health Review Manager up to the 14 September 2005.


(g) Maternity Services in Southeast Hampshire

The response of the Trusts to the Joint Committee, and any further action recommended by that Committee, be shared with members at the next meeting.


(h) Southwest Alliance Community Strategy


(i) Additional questions and queries from members to the PCT about the consultation impact of the options will be directed through the Health Review Manager up to and including 27 September 2005.


(ii) The relevant P&PIFs and district councils be invited to comment on the robustness of the consultation process.


(iii) The links with this consultation, and that being conducted on the same patient group by Southampton City PCT be clearly set out by the PCT.


(i) North Hampshire PCT: Changes to the Configuration of Services at Alton Community Hospital

Representatives of North Hampshire PCT be thanked for their presentation and be requested to make a further presentation to the Committee once plans had been formally agreed and the consultation document produced.


(j) Southwest Hampshire PCTs: Out of Hours Consultation

The Committee:


(i) notes that the consultation was focused on the change of management arrangements following the transfer of the contract from Primecare to Hampshire Ambulance at the end of September 2005;


(ii) be advised of further work on the provision of unscheduled care when this is available.


(k) Southampton City PCT: Modernising Community Services



(i) The views of key stakeholders about the robustness of Section 11 involvement and engagement in developing the proposal be sought.


(ii) Eastleigh and Test Valley South PCT be requested to clarify how the arrangements will impact on the communities affected.


(l) Portsmouth City PCT: Changes to Substance Misuse Service


(i) The Committee be apprised of the views of Portsmouth City Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the relevant P&PIFs regarding whether the changes planned are substantial and therefore to be subject to formal consultation.


(ii) The views of social services on the proposals be sought.


(m) Portsmouth City PCT: Changes to Low Secure Rehabilitation Services


(i) The Committee be apprised of the views of Portsmouth City Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the relevant P&PIFs regarding whether the changes planned are substantial and therefore to be subject to formal consultation.


(ii) The views of Fareham and Gosport PCT, East Hampshire PCT and social services on the proposals be sought.

17. SOUTHAMPTON UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL TRUST - SERVICE REDESIGN

With the consent of the Chairman under Section 100(b)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 this item was considered as urgent because of the necessity to indicate the Committee's views to the Trust Board at a meeting later that day.

A representative from Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust presented a report giving details of proposed bed reductions. The bed reductions were part of the financial recovery plan and a move towards the strategic vision of patients being treated as close to home as possible. Members requested a full presentation on the proposals at a future meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED

That:

(a) the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust be requested to make a full presentation on the Trust's proposals for financial recovery to a future meeting of the Committee.


(b) The views of Southampton City Overview and Scrutiny Committee be sought to ascertain if the changes proposed were substantial.

18. EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY PERFORMANCE

RESOLVED

That the Director of Human Resources report on Equality and Diversity Performance be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

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