ITEM 2

AT A MEETING of the HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 30 May 2006

PRESENT

Chairman:

P Councillor Dr. R.J. Ellis

Vice-Chairman:

P Councillor Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott

Councillors:

p Mrs. A. Buckley p P.K. Mason

p N. Clarke p R.C. McIntosh

G.W. Davis-Dear p E. Neal

p Mrs P. Dickens p Mrs E. Still

p K. Edgar a Mrs P.A. West

p K. Evans p D.F. Wright

p. D. Harrison

Co-opted Members:

Councillors:

a Mrs. M Kerley

a D. Welch

Also in attendance: Councillor David Stephen Butler (Portsmouth City Council): Councillor Mrs E Oulton (Isle of Wight Council) and Councillors Felicity Hindson MBE (Executive Member for Children's Services) and B.D. Dash at the invitation of the Chairman.

Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs. P. West as she was carrying out duties as Chairman of the County Council.

45. 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 D. Wright - wife a General Practice Manager

46. MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 26 March 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Arising thereon:

(a) Minute No. 44(b) - Health Overview and Scrutiny Thematic Review Programme - Out of Hours Service

The Committee received a presentation on Out of Hours Service from representatives of the Strategic Health Authority. They gave details of local demand and process outcomes, the current configuration of services, quality standards and performance, the proposed service model for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, anticipated disposition rates, governance and audit, management and development of service, continuity and risk and patient and public involvement. They then outlined the next steps in the process.

47. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATIONS

(a) Welcome

The chairman welcomed Councillor David Stephen Butler the newly appointed Chairman of Portsmouth City Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

(b) Goodbye

The Chairman reported that, at the recent local election, Councillors Criss Connor and Alun Mitchell had lost their seats on their respective Local Councils and, as a result, were no longer eligible to be co-opted members of the Committee. He thanked them for the service they had given to the Committee.

(c) Strategic Health Authority

The Chairman reported that Mark Britnell, currently Chief Executive of the United Health Care Trust in Birmingham and Dr Geoffrey Harris, currently Non-Executive Director of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health Trust had been appointed Chief Executive and Chairman respectively of the new Strategic Health Authority.

(d) Hampshire/Thames Valley Ambulance Service

The Chairman reported that William Hancock, currently Chief Executive of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire had been appointed the Chief Executive of the proposed Hampshire/Thames Valley Ambulance Service.

(e) Centre for Public Scrutiny

The Chairman reported that the Committee had been selected by its Centre for Public Scrutiny as one of eight case studies nationally as an example of how scrutiny can work with the Healthcare Commission and Health Service Trusts to improve health services.

(f) Healthcare Commission

The Chairman reported that the Healthcare Commission was already working closely with the Committee as a partner and arrangements for joint referral had been established. In a letter to the Committee the Chief Executive of the Healthcare Commission had acknowledged the deep commitment of the Committee to improving health services and noted that Hampshire was at the forefront of this work.

(g) NHS Financing

The Chairman report that, in response to his letter on behalf of Southeast England Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees, the Public Accounts Committee has now confirmed that the National Audit Office and Audit Commission would be looking at the issue of NHS historic deficits as part of this year's review of NHS accounts.

(h) Child Health and Maternity Services

The Chairman reported that arrangements had been made to hold a seminar on child health and maternity services on 19 September 2006. He requested members to make a note of this in their diaries.

(i) Civil Partnerships

The Chairman reported that Councillor Clarke had attended a conference on civil partnerships and that a disc of the issues discussed at the conference was available to members.

Since the publication of the agenda additional enquiries and variations to services had been received and the chairman reported on these:-

Additional Enquires Received:

(j) Compliance with National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidance

A Councillor had sought information about whether National Institute of Clinical Excellence guidance was being followed by Southampton University Hospital Trust with regard to certain cancer drugs. Additional information had been requested from the Trust and the issue had been referred to the Healthcare Commission.

(k) HIV Counselling Service

A local HIV centre had drawn the attention of the Committee to changes to the provision of HIV counselling services without appropriate stakeholder engagement. Information had been requested about Section 11 engagement and the Southampton University Hospital Trust's response would be made available to the Committee

(l) Greater Southampton Health Plan

The plan had recently been published and copies were circulated to members. It was not anticipated that it would impact on services provided to Hampshire residents.

Additional Variations to Services

(m) Blackbrook Birthing Centre, Fareham

Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust were considering a paper, which was circulated to the Committee, outlining the cost of re-opening Blackbrook Birthing centre and the options that needed to be considered. The Chairman had commented, recognising the difficult position the Primary Care Trust found itself in and highlighted the points to be considered. Initial feedback from the Patient and Public Involvement Forum was that the Forum and Blackbrook Support Group would not support money being spent on the building.

48. DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations to this meeting.

49. PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP OR VARY NHS SERVICES

The Chief Executive presented a report on proposals to develop or vary 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 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 :

(a) Hampshire Primary Care Trusts: Hampshire Child Health and Maternity Services: A Discussion Paper

Following the publication of the discussion paper the Chief Executive had prepared a draft response and he outlined the key items:




RESOLVED

That the draft response be approved and the Committee be updated on progress with this work at their November 2006 meeting.

(b) Southwest Primary Care Trust Alliance/Southampton University Hospital Trust: Closure of Maternity Beds and Review of Maternity Services in Southwest Hampshire

Representatives from Southampton University Hospital Trust gave a presentation on the maternity service, the current pressures and proposals for the future. They stressed that final proposals for the future. They stressed that final proposals would be subject to consultation and full Section 11 engagement would take place prior to consideration of proposals. Members welcomed the consultation process and stressed the need for maintenance of the status quo to remain as one of the options for consultation.

RESOLVED

That the Trusts be requested to take account of the Committee's views when carrying out the formal consultation.

(c) Southeast Primary Case Cluster: Maternity Services in Southeast Hampshire

The Primary Care Trusts were continuing to consider the outcomes of the options appraisal and it was not anticipated that a revised strategy would be available for presentation to the Maternity Joint Committee in the immediate future. The Grange Birthing Unit was to hold an open day on 6 June 2006 and members of the committee were invited to attend.

The Portsmouth Hospitals Trust had been advised, in response to Healthcare Commission assessment, that the failure to state when birth centres could re-open would be referred to the Secretary of State for Health.

RESOLVED

That:-

(i) The Committee is kept updated on the progress of the Maternity Joint
Committee

(ii) Councillors P. Edgar and D. Wright accompany the Health Scrutiny
Manager to The Grange open day on 6 June 2006.

(iii) The Primary Care Trusts in Southeast Hampshire be advised of the
views of the Committee about links with the Child Health and
Maternity discussion paper when taking any work forward.

(d) Strategic Health Authority: Acute Paediatric Services Review

The Children, Young People and Maternity Network Action Plan was presented to the Committee (Appendix 4 to the Chief Executives report).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee be advised of the way in which this proposal would now be taken forward, taking account of the Child Health and Maternity discussion paper.

(e) Mid and Southwest Hampshire Primary Care Trust: Surgical Services Reconfiguration

An update on the proposal was presented to the committee (Appendix 5 of the Chief Executive's report.

RESOLVED

That a further report be presented to the Committee when available.

(f) The Future of Services in Fareham and Gosport/Southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan

The Executive summary of the Capacity Plan and draft response to the Strategic Health Authority were presented to the Committee (Appendices 6 and 7 of respectively of the Chief Executives report) Members expressed concern at the reduction in the number of beds at Queen Alexandra Hospital and the delays in the provision of a Fareham Community Hospital.

RESOLVED

That the draft response be approved and the Committee be updated at the next meeting.

(g) East Hampshire Primary Care Trust: Transfer of Older Persons Medicine Services

The Primary Care Trust had advised that the Strategic Health Authority would be responding to the concerns raised by the Committee which had been shared by Portsmouth City Health Overview and Security Committee. Adult Services had not indicated any concerns about the proposals.

RESOLVED

That the Strategic Health Authority be pressed for a full response on the issues raised by the Committee.

(h) North Hampshire Primary Care Trust: Reprovision of Older Persons Mental Health Services Provided at Homefield House, Basingstoke

The Primary Care Trust had responded to the issues raised by the Committee giving an update on developments a summary of proposals and a communication and engagement plan which included details of section 11 engagement, plans for respite and day care and Health responsibilities for patients and their families. No responses had been received from the Patient and Public Involvement Forum or Adult Services.

RESOLVED

That Committee be advised of progress at a future meeting.

Under items requiring action he gave details on:

(i) Department of Health: Commissioning a Patient Led NHS

The Department of Health had announced that with effect from 1 July 2006 that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Strategic Health Authority was to merge with Thames Valley; and Hampshire Ambulance Service was to merge with Thames Valley and with effect of 1 October 2006 there was to be one Primary Care Trust covering the County of Hampshire. The Leader had written to the Secretary of State offering the County Council in retaining an Ambulance Service for Hampshire and the chairman had also written in support of this other Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees had also indicated their support.

RESOLVED

That the Committee be kept up to date on the reconfiguration of services and takes all steps available to actively resist the merger of Hampshire Ambulance Service with Thames Valley be continued.

(j) North Hampshire Hospital Trust: Foundation Trust Consultation

Representatives of North Hampshire Hospital Trust gave a presentation on the consultation process for foundation trust status. There had been much positive local support and some concerns over financial issues. They were working with GPs to create a virtual foundation economy. The Committee's draft response to the consultation document was shown as Appendix 8 to the Chief Executive's report. The issue of County Council representation on the New Foundation Trust Board was considered with the Trust taking the view that County Council representation should be by professional officers not elected members.

RESOLVED

That draft response to the Foundation Trust Consultation be agreed and the Trust be requested to consider some form of elected member representation on the Board.

50. INQUIRIES RECEIVED AND ACTION TAKEN

The Chief Executive presented a report on enquiries received, the source of each enquiry and the action taken (item 6 in the Minute Book). The enquiries related to:-

Return of Routine Neurology Referrals

Transfer of Upper Gastro Intestinal Cancer Surgery from Frimley Park to
Royal Surrey County Hospital

The Future of Redcliffe House, Gosport

The Future of the Lawns Day Hospital, Petersfield

Closure of Midhurst Hospital

Changes to Neurology Rehabilitations Services

Changes to School Nursing Provision

Changes to Community Services for Children with terminal and life threatening illness

Incidence and Cause of Delays in Discharge from Winchester and Eastleigh NHS Healthcare Trust

Partnership working with the Healthcare Commission

Changes to Pancreatic Cancer Care

RESOLVED

That the report be received and the actions outlined in the report be endorsed.

51. ANNUAL REPORT 205/06 AND WORK PROGRAMME 2006/07

The Chief Executive presented the 2005/06 Annual Report and the 2006/07 Work Programme (Item 7 in the Minute Book). He outlined the proposed programme of work which was based on four key strands supported by a commitment to continue building effective working relationships and communication with partner organisations. The need to establish stronger partnership working with the Healthcare Commission and the potential for the emerging Hampshire Action Teams to raise health issues and concerns was highlighted.

RESOLVED

That:-

(a) the 2005/06 Annual Report and 2006/07 draft work programme be
approved.

(b) formal partnership with the Healthcare Commission be approved

52. FORWARD PLAN

The Chief Executive presented the Committee's Forward Plan (Item 8 in the Minute Book). Members requested that the follow up of previous reviews and Oak Park Community Hospital, Havant be included in the forward plan.

RESOLVED

That subject to the inclusion of the follow up of previous reviews and Oak Park Community Hospital, Havant the forward plan be approved.

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