Item 2

AT A MEETING of the HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle Winchester on Tuesday, 29 November 2005

PRESENT

Chairman:

p Councillor Dr. R.J. Ellis

Vice-Chairman

p Councillor Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott

Councillors:

Co-opted Members:

Councillors:

p C. Connor

p Mrs. M. Kerley

p A. Mitchell

p D. Welch

Also in attendance: Councillor Mrs. P.G. Banks, Executive Member for Adult Social Care; Councillor B. Dash at the invitation of the Chairman.

Apologies were received from: Councillor P.K. Mason as he was attending a Police Personnel Panel meeting.

25 DECLARATION OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should normally at the time of the 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 was discussed.

The following members declared a personal interest:

Councillor Mrs. P. Dickens - employed by NHS.
Councillor P. Edgar - does work for NHS.
Councillor D. Harrison - employed by NHS.
Councillor Mrs. M. Kerley - Member of Andover War Memorial Hospital League of Friends.
Councillor D. Wright - Wife a General Practice Manager.
Councillor Mrs. P.A. West - A member of the Andover Reconfiguration Board and daughter-in-law a paramedic.

26 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 27 September 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

27 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(a) House of Commons

The Chairman reported that the Committee had been thanked by a local MP in a speech in the House of Commons for its vigilance and role in ensuring that services do not close without proper consultation taking place.


(b) Southeast England Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Chairman reported that, at their meeting on 25 November the Southeast England Health Overview and Scrutiny committee received a thought provoking presentation by Carolyn Regan, Chief Executive of Northeast London Strategic Health Authority and Department of Health Lead for Partnership working. Other issues raised included collective concerns about the amount of inherited debt that NHS services in the south-east were having to deal with and the need for the public health/well being agenda to be managed corporately by each authority.


(c) Development of Practice Based Commissioning

The Chairman reported that plans being developed by the Strategic Health Authority suggested that there would be 22 Practice Based Commissioning Localities across Hampshire.


(d) Public Health and Well Being

The Chairman reported that this was currently emerging as a key issue of interest to the Committee. He had attended a number of meeting with the Leader, Executive members and lead officers to consider how this could best be taken forward.


(e) "First" Article

The Chairman drew members attention to an article of the most recent addition of "First" which reflected experiences locally and referred to the Secretary of State's views on the role of Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Particularly the role of Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees in ensuring that the well being agenda was developed and progressed effectively.

28 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

29 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 5 in the Minute Book). He presented the report in two parts which comprised of items for 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:-

Review of Maternity Services in Southwest Hampshire

Representatives of the Southampton University Hospital Trust attended the meeting and gave details about the Maternity Services in southwest Hampshire and the reasons for the proposed temporary closure of the 4 bedded maternity unit at Romsey Hospital.

Mid and Southwest Hampshire Cluster - Surgical Services Reconfiguration

Members were updated on proposals.

The Future of Health Services in Fareham and Gosport

The Chairman updated members on correspondence with the Secretary of State.

Southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan

No further information had been received about the capacity plan and the Private Finance Initiative for Queen Alexandra Hospital had not yet been signed.

Acute Paediatric Services

The report on the review of these services had been published and circulated and the Strategic Health Authority was seeking the views of the NHS family and its partners on the review and recommendations by 31 January 2006.


Changes to Wessex Cardiac Services

A letter dated 23 November 2005 from the Cardiothoracic Directorate giving an update to service changes within the cardiothoracic unit at Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust was circulated to members. The letter summarised feedback from patients and public, staff and affiliated groups and gave details of the impact of implemented changes.

Changes to Bed Modelling at Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust

Members were updated on the more intensive use of in-patient beds and recruitment.

Mid-Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Mental Health Accommodation Project

An outline of the proposals was presented. There had been extensive engagement with the individuals, their families and staff. Confirmation had been requested that other key stakeholders, were satisfied with the Section 11 involvement that had taken place.

Alliance Primary Care Trusts : Contraception and Sexual Health Services

The key points from the proposals which included clinics, sexual education into schools and psychosexual counselling were outlined.

Mid-Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Development of Adult Supportive and Palliative Care at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice, Andover War Memorial Hospital

The proposal was for GP led palliative care taking account of the wider introduction of practice-based commissioning, the need to reduce necessary acute hospital admissions where better, local solutions, can be offered and consumer demand for local delivery in a primary care setting. It promoted best clinical practice through the development of supportive and palliative care services in line with national guidance.

East Hampshire/Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trusts : Elderly Mental Health Services, Day Hospital Provision

A review of the Elderly Mental Day Hospitals had been undertaken and a need for change was identified because of the financial position of both the service and the Trusts, the quality of some of the day hospital environments and an under utilisation of resources. Questions had been raised with the Primary Care Trusts about the lack of Section 11 engagement and the speed at which the implementations were to take place. Fareham and Gosport Patient and Public Involvement Forum had raised similar concerns.

Blackwater Valley & Hart Primary Care Trust : Rainbow Assessment and Treatment Groups

The Primary Care Trust had reviewed the service provided by the Rainbow Assessment and Treatment Group at Frimley Children's Centre. The Group provided support for pre-school children with developmental delays. The Trust proposed to reprovide the current service in an alternative way minimising the impact on children and their families. The aim was to streamline the assessment and treatment services provided by both the Trust and Surrey and Hampshire Children's Services improving the coordination of the multi-agency work and reducing duplication.

Maternity Services in Southeast Hampshire

The Portsmouth, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Joint Maternity Committee had met on 7 November to hear how the option appraised process for maternity services in southeast Hampshire would be progressed. Members of the Joint Committee had expressed deep concerns and dissatisfaction and requested a detailed draft option appraisal, including a financial baseline for each option, to be available by 21 February 2006. The Joint Committee would be meeting on 1 March 2006 to consider the option appraisal.

Under items requiring action he gave details on:

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust/Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust: Changes to Service Configuration at Andover War Memorial Hospital

Representatives of the Trust updated members on the outcome of the recent consultation process which would be presented to the Board for determination on 7 December 2005. The key themes were transportation, the sale of buildings and the possibility of the hospital closing. Members congratulated the Trust on the efficiency of the consultation process.

East Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Changes to Community Service Reconfiguration in Havant and Emsworth

Following the last meeting the Trust had been advised of the Committees response to the consultation and had responded to the issues raised. A local resident had sent a letter expressing concerns at proposals to remove the in-patient beds at Emsworth Victoria Cottage Hospital and cited some incidents as a result of this. This letter was circulated to members.

Southwest Alliance: Community Strategy Services for Older People

Members had received the report commissioned by the Committee and the Chairman had written to the Alliance identifying the opportunity that this work provided for a different way of working with local people. The Alliance had now agreed to relook at the Community Strategy of Older People and that there would be no further closure of hospital beds.

North Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Changes to the Configuration of Services at Alton Community Hospital

Following meetings with stakeholders work would now take place to identify the potential shape of services, taking into account capacity, demand and cost.

"Commissioning a Patient Led NHS": Department of Health

The Chief Executive had written to the Strategic Health Authority incorporating the views of the Committee on the Department of Health proposals. It was anticipated that formal consultation would commence on 14 December 2005.

Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust : Improving Mental Health Services for People of Working Age

Copies of the consultation document had been circulated to all members of the Committee. Members were requested to let the Health Scrutiny Manager have any comments by 17 January 2006.

RESOLVED:

That:

(a) Maternity Services in Southwest Hampshire

The Committee receives full information in support of the questions set out at paragraph 2.2 of the Chief Executive's report and consider the case for the urgent action taken by Southampton University Hospital Trust.


(b) Mid and Southwest Hampshire Cluster: surgical services reconfiguration

An update on the progress with developing the surgical service reconfiguration be presented to the next meeting.

(c) Future of Health Services in Fareham and Gosport

Concerns about the configuration of services be raised with the Strategic Health Authority.

(d) Southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan

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


(e) Acute Paediatric Services/Maternity Service Review

The Committee be advised of the response of the NHS and its partners to review and the way in which this will be taken forward.

(f) Wessex Cardiac Services

An update on any further changes to service delivery be presented to the Committee at the March 2006 meeting.

(g) Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Mental Health Accommodation Project

It be agreed that adequate Section 11 engagement had taken place and that this was not a substantial service change.

(h) Alliance Primary Care Trusts : Contraception and Sexual Health Services

(i) It be agreed that adequate Section 11 engagement had taken place and that this was not a substantial service change.

(ii) The Primary Care Trust provide the Committee with information on the number of requests for individuals to receive psychosexual counselling at the meeting in May 2006.


(i) Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Development of Adult Supportive and Palliative Care at the Countess of Brecknock Hospice, Andover

It be agreed that adequate Section 11 engagement had taken place and that this was not a substantial service change.


(j) East Hampshire/Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trusts : Elderly Mental Health Services; Day Hospital Provision

The Patient and Public Involvement Forum should continue to monitor progress with this work and advise the Committee of any continuing concerns.


(k) Blackwater Valley and Hart Primary Care Trust : Rainbow Assessment and Treatment Group


(i) The Primary Care Trust be requested to confirm the feedback from all stakeholders, including the Patient and Public Involvement Forum whose populations are affected in line with Section 11 requirements.


(ii) This information, and the views of Surrey Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee informs the recommendation of the Committee about the nature of the change.


(l) Maternity Services in Southeast Hampshire

Further action taken with regard to the review of maternity services in Southeast Hampshire be presented to the Committee in March 2006.


(m) Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust/Mid Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Changes to Day Surgery and Rehabilitation Services

The Trusts be congratulated on the vigorous consultation process and they be advised that the preferred option identified was in the interests of the health service in the area.


(n) East Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Changes to Community Service Configuration in Emsworth and Havant

The response from the Primary Care Trust and the views of the local resident be noted and the Primary Care Trust be thanked for their actions in securing a smooth transition of services.


(o) South West Alliance Community Strategy


(i) The Committee be appraised of the progress with engaging with the communities across the area of the Alliance at the meeting in January 2006.


(ii) The links with this consultation, and that being conduct by Southampton City Primary Care Trust be clearly set out by the Primary Care Trust.


(p) North Hampshire Primary Care Trust : Changes to the Configuration of Services at Alton Community Hospital

The Committee be advised of progress with developing the consultation document at the next meeting.


(q) "Commissioning a Patient-led NHS"

The Committee be advised of the arrangements for consulting on these proposals.



(r) Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust : Improving Mental Health Services for People of Working Age


(i) Members refer any comment or questions relating to the proposals to The Health Scrutiny Manager by 17 January 2006.


(ii) Hampshire Partnership be requested to share the feedback from key stakeholders at the Committee meeting in January 2006.

30 INQUIRIES RECEIVED AND ACTION TAKEN

The Chief Executive presented a report on inquiries received, the cause 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; Compliance with the National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidance; Ambulance Service Estates Strategy Return of neurology referrals; Healthcare Commission and progress with Aldershot Health Centre.

RESOLVED:

That the report be received and the actions outlined in the report be endorsed and a presentation be made to the Committee on Aldershot Health Centre at a future meeting.

4JM791205