AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE, SOUTHAMPTON, PORTSMOUTH AND ISLE OF WIGHT HEALTH SCRUTINY JOINT COMMITTEE held at The Guildhall, Portsmouth on Monday, 26 September 2005

PRESENT

Members Officers

Hampshire Councillors Dr. R.J. Ellis (Chairman) Denise Holden

Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott David Pryke

D. Wright

Southampton Councillor D. Simpson Martin Day

Portsmouth Councillors F. Charlton (Vice-Chairman) Sam Meyer

Mrs. E. Baker

12 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 July 2005 were confirmed as a correct record.

Arising thereon:

(a) Minute No. 7 - Health Services in Southeast Hampshire

Councillor Wright asked if the PFI agreement for Queen Alexandra Hospital had yet been signed. Sam Meyer said that the agreement had not yet been signed and that the Hospital Trust was to make a presentation to the next meeting of the Portsmouth Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and hoped that more information would be available at that meeting.

13 MATERNITY SERVICES IN PORTSMOUTH AND SOUTHEAST HAMPSHIRE

Sam reported that the Primary Care Trusts had concurred with the Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Joint Committee that there should be a stand alone birthing unit on Portsea Island. As a result the Trusts were again looking at proposals for the reconfiguration of maternity services. Concern was expressed about the continued closures of Grange and Blackbrook Birthing Centres. Members were unhappy with the continuing delays from the Trusts on the re-configuration of maternity services in Portsmouth and Southeast Hampshire and requested that the Trusts be called to a meeting to explain what was happening.

RESOLVED:

That the Trusts involved with maternity services in Portsmouth and South East Hampshire be called to a meeting of the Committee on 7 November, 2005 to explain what was happening about the re-configuration of maternity services and the action being taken.

14 PROPOSALS RECEIVED FROM THE NHS TO VARY OR DEVELOP LOCAL HEALTH SERVICES

Denise Holden presented a report on behalf of Saskia Kiernan on formal proposals for changes to Substance Misuse Residential and Day Care Services. She outlined the proposals and said that there did not appear to be a substantial variation of services as the proposed changes was a reprovision of existing services.

RESOLVED:

That:-

(a) The proposal to centralise substance misuse residential and day care services on the St. James Hospital site in Portsmouth did not constitute a substantial variation of services.


(b) Portsmouth City Teaching PCT had complied with Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act in developing and implementing the proposals.


(c) The proposal to close the Cheriton Unit at St. James Hospital in Portsmouth did not constitute a substantial variation of services and East Hampshire and Fareham and Gosport PCTs had complied with Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act in undertaking the closure.

15 COMMISSIONING A PATIENT-LED NHS - OPTIONS FOR RECONFIGURING LOCAL PCTs, AMBULANCE SERVICES AND STRATEGIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES

Denise Holden presented a report outlining the proposals contained in "Commissioning a Patient Led NHS" which provided a significant opportunity health, community and social care provision across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. The time constraints for commenting on the proposal was tight and each local authority may comment individually on them although members took the view that there should also be a joint response from this Committee. The view was taken that PCTs should be aligned to local authority social services boundaries which would result in one PCT for each of the authorities. This would provide a more consistent strategic context and increase the scope for locally determined delivery through joint working arrangements. The proposal for strategic health authorities to be aligned with government boundaries was not supported and members took the view that community links and patient flows tended to be east and west and not north and therefore favoured a new strategic health authority combining Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, Dorset and Wiltshire. Members were concerned about plans to reduce Ambulance Trusts and were of the view that proposals for a Hampshire/Thames Valley model did not seem to be based on any evidence that patient care would be improved. Members wished to see ambulance services provided locally rather than the configuration suggested. Members did support the proposals that acknowledge the special circumstances of the Isle of Wight and that the current ambulance service for the Island should continue.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman writes to the Strategic Health Authority expressing the views of the Joint Committee.

16 PARAMEDIC MOTORCYCLES

Members were concerned that the Ambulance Service now only proposed to use the Paramedic Motorcycles, presented to the service by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, when special events were occurring in the City.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman writes to the Chairman of the Ambulance Trust expressing the Joint Committee's concerns of the non use of paramedic motorcycles.

17 LOCAL COMPLIANCE WITH NICE GUIDELINES

Denise Holden reported that the Strategic Health Authority had taken the view that it was the responsibility of the PCTs to respond on compliance with NICE guidelines. There was no consistent definition of exceptional circumstances being applied to the guidelines by the PCTs and no evidence of Section 11 incoming to a view on changing service provision in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

RESOLVED:

That the Chairman writes to the Strategic Health Authority expressing concern over the lack of consistency across PCTs in complying with NICE guidelines and requesting that this matter be rectified.

18 UPDATE FROM LOCAL AUTHORITIES

Portsmouth

A visit had been planned to the Kingsclere Ward at St. Mary's Hospital following receipt of proposals for its closure. A review was underway on oral health and dentistry, the new pharmaceutical contracts were being worked out, an update on the Private Finance Initiative for Queen Alexandra Hospital was to be presented to their next meeting and Health Care Commission health check core standards were being investigated.

Southampton

Consideration was being given to West Hampshire Out of Hours Service with the Ambulance Trust, Primary Care Delivery Centre relocator, the modernisation of community services and the impact of the closure of hospital beds, Southampton Hospital Trust provision; suicide prevention strategy and housing needs for mental health. Reviews were being undertaken on Infection Control at Southampton General Hospital, the smoking policy in the City and childhood obesity and diet in schools.

Hampshire

Consideration was being given to routine neurology referrals at Portsmouth Hospitals, Community Services Strategy in the New Forest; Reconfiguration of Community Services at Havant and Emsworth; acute paediatric services, Healthcare Commission health checks and out of hours services.

19 MEETINGS 2006

RESOLVED:

That meetings for 2006 be held as follows:-

27 March - 10.00 a.m. at Southampton
19 July - 10.00 a.m. at Isle of Wight
25 September - 10.00 a.m at Portsmouth
6 December - 10.00 a.m. at Winchester

20 HAMPSHIRE AMBULANCE TRUST ESTATES STRATEGY

The Chief Executive of Hampshire Ambulance Trust outlined the proposals for the Ambulance Trust contained in "Commissioning a Patient Led NHS". She then preceded to explain the ambulance coverage for the County and the need to reorganise the service to enable greater action time which would improve performance targets and patient care. She said that it was necessary for the estates strategy to proceed in advance of the centralisation agenda at Southampton Ambulance Station had already been sold but said that other ambulance stations would not close until proper coverage was in place. The estate strategy proposals were based on the Staffordshire Ambulance Service model and would provide a better and more effective service for Hampshire.

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