Archived decisions

Item 2

AT A MEETING of the HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE of the COUNTY COUNCIL held at The Castle, Winchester held at The Castle, Winchester on Tuesday, 5 February 2008.

PRESENT

Chairman:

p Councillor Dr. R.J. Ellis

Vice-Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott

Councillors:

Co-opted Members:

Councillors:

p Mrs. M. Kerley

p R. Love

P. Luffman

a J. Marsh

Also in attendance Councillor Mrs. K. Heron at the invitation of the Chairman,

Councillor David Stephen Butler, Portsmouth City Council ;

T. Smith Hampshire Patient and Public Involvement Forum and

R Samuel, Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

130. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were mindful that, where they believed that they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest 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 save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 12 of the Code .

The following members declared a personal interest:

Councillor Mrs. P. Dickens - employed by NHS and on Advisory Committee of The Trinity Centre

Councillor P. Edgar - does work for NHS

Councillor D. Harrison - employed by the NHS

Councillor D. Wright - wife a General Practice Manager.

Councillor L. Dunsdon - wife employed by NHS

Councillor Mrs. M. Kerley - Andover and Romsey Hospital Friends

Councillor R. Love - on Advisory Committee of The Trinity Centre

131. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 27 November 2007 were

confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

132. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATION

a. South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Chairman reported that a meeting of the South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees had taken place at County Hall, Aylesbury on 29 January 2008. Issues covered included figures from the Alzheimer's Society on the incidence of dementia, arrangements for consulting Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees about changes to specialist commissioning and the way in which the Strategic Health Authority intends to liaise with Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees as the `Next Stage' Darzi review rolls forward.

b. Martin Barkley

The Chairman reported that Martin Barkley, Chief Executive, Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust would be leaving his post to take up a new role in Durham.

133. INQUIRIES RECEIVED AND ACTION TAKEN

The Chief Executive presented a report on enquiries received, the

source of each enquiry and the action taken (Item 4 in the Minute Book). The enquiries related to:-

Community Hospitals in Hampshire

· Fordingbridge Hospital

Katrina Percy, Director of Care Services, Hampshire Primary Care Trust, gave an update on the current position with Fordingbridge Hospital. The independent consultants team had now concluded its investigations and its report was due to be presented to the Primary Care Trust at the end of March 2008. All staff had been seconded to other hospitals or community services in the west area to both meet the needs of the service and provide them with opportunities for professional development. The opportunity was also being taken to upgrade facilities to provide an improved environment for patients and staff. The reopening may be phased and would be dependent on any required staff training.

· Oak Park Hospital, Havant

Richard Samuel reported that the Primary Care Trust was now in the process of refreshing the southeast capacity plan which would include Oak Park Hospital and its capacity. It was envisaged that this would be ready by the end of May 2008 and a list of potential stakeholders was being compiled to ensure good participation in the proposals.

· Milford on Sea War Memorial Hospital

The Primary Care Trust had confirmed that the agreed changes were now in the process of implementation.

Continence Services

The Primary Care Trust had reflected on the concerns expressed by service users

and the current variation in service provision and now recognised the need to

ensure a consistent continent service and policy is in place across Hampshire for

2008/2009. The Primary Care Trust would achieve this by developing a service

specification, in line with best practice guidelines, based on assessed need. The

cost implications of moving to a Hampshire Primary Care Trust wide single

service will be determined and incorporated into the operating plan for 2008/09.

On a short term basis, the Primary Care Trust had issued an instruction to all

service providers that they should ensure that all clients receive the number of

pads that are sufficient to meet their assessed needs. This would remove the

variation in policy across Hampshire and ensure that individuals received an

adequate daily supply of pads. Referrals to specialist continence services would

need to continue, but community nurses would be able to supply an adequate

number of pads pending such a referral. Members welcomed the response and

the way forward.

Andover War Memorial Hospital

Martin Wakeley, Chief Executive, Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust outlined the public consultation that had taken place during December 2005 and reminded the Committee of the proposals which were:

· Reduction of inpatient rehabilitation beds from 52 to 30

· General anaesthetic (GA) cases being seen at Winchester

· Relocation of outpatients department into newer accommodation on the site

· Reduce beds in the birthing centre from nine to six

The consultation had raised some issues, which he outlined, but had resulted in an overall agreement with the vision for the hospital. He gave details of what had happened since the consultation and what was currently happening.

Ambulance Services and Road Closures

Following the last meeting of the Committee the Ambulance Trust had replied on how it was kept informed of road closures and the Scrutiny team had undertaken investigations, the results of which are shown as appendices 4 and 5 of the Chief Executive's report. Members were concerned that information on road closures was still not being given to the Ambulance Service and indeed the other emergency services and requested that this issue be pursued and that the Committee be updated on the implementation of arrangements at its meeting in September 2008.

Frimley Park Cancer Services

The Chief Executive reported that, following discussions, consultants were now happy with the proposals for the transfer of the Upper Gastro Intestinal Cancer Surgery from Frimley Park Hospital to the Royal Surrey County Hospital, Guildford.

Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

The Chief Executive reported that the Minister of Health had written to confirm the funding arrangements for LINks, details of which are shown as appendix 8 to the report.

Aldershot Minor Injuries Unit

The Primary Care Trust had confirmed that there was no separate funding stream for the Aldershot Minor Injuries Unit. Hampshire residents attending Frimley Park Hospital Accident and Emergency Services were funded by Surrey Primary Care Trust.

Access to Health Services for People who are Homeless

Arrangements had been made for a representative of the Trinity Centre to attend a future meeting of the Committee to give details of access to health services for people who are homeless.

Changes to General Practitioner Premises Location

It had been agreed that, as a general rule the Committee focused on actual service changes rather than location when looking at whether a proposal was substantial, however there was an expectation that local people in planning any changes. Concerns were expressed at the lack of public consultation on the planned move of the Friarsgate practices and it agreed that the need for patient and public involvement on this proposed move should be brought to the attention of the Primary Care Trust.

Local Government and Public Involvement in the NHS

A summary of the key implications for the Committee arising from the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 was shown as appendix 10 of the Chief Executive's report.

Response to 2007/08 Annual Health Checks

The Healthcare Commission required an annual health check of NHS organisations providing services to Hampshire residents. The response needed to be evidence based and structured around safety, clinical and cost effectiveness, governance, patient focus, accessibility and responsive care, care environment and amenities and public health.

Hampshire Primary Care Trust Performance

A summary of the Primary Care Trust's performance against key target areas was shown as appendix 11 to the Chief Executive's report.

Child and Adolescence Mental Health Services

There were no consequential changes to service delivery following changes to management arrangements for these services.

RESOLVED:

That:

a. The report be received and the actions outlined in it be endorsed.

b. Hampshire Primary Care Trust and Adult Services provides the Committee with progress made with the issues raised regarding continence services at its meeting on 27 May 2008.

c. Members advise the Health Scrutiny Manager of any additional information required on Andover War Memorial Hospital by 5 May 2008.

d. The matter of Ambulance Services and road closures be pursued with South Central Ambulance NHS Trust, the Street and Traffic Authorities and they be requested to provide the Committee with an update of the implementation of the new arrangements at its meeting on 23 September 2008.

134. 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 6 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) Maternity Services in Southwest Hampshire

Mark Hackett, Chief Executive of Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust gave an update on what was happening and the reasons for the delay in the opening of the new Ashurst Birth Centre. The delays were as a result of the infrastructure, including, drains, electricity supply and other works needing major upgrading which had resulted in additional financing of the totality of the works to create the new Ashurst Centre. These had now been resolved with both Hampshire Primary Care Trust and Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and the project had been put out to tender. Work on the project was due to commence shortly and it was planned for them to be completed and the new Birth Centre open in August 2008. Questions were asked about the Hythe Birth Centre and Mark Hackett said that this would remain open until the new Ashurst Centre was up and running.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee receives regular updates on the progress with the development of the Ashurst Birth Centre from Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust and expected that the Birth Centre would open in August 2008.

(b) Southeast Specialist Palliative Care Services in Southeast Hampshire

The Hampshire Primary Care Trust advised the Committee that there would be no changes to services to Hampshire residents if Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust withdrew from existing arrangements on palliative care.

(c) Surrey and Hampshire Borders Partnership NHS Trust - A New Design for Day Services: Improving Adult Mental Health Day Services in Surrey Heath and Northeast Hampshire

Adult Services had now confirmed that it was not anticipated that the changes proposed by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust would have an impact on residents in Hampshire.

(d) Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust - Application for Foundation Trust Status

The Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Health Scrutiny Joint Committee had given consideration to proposals for Foundation Trust status at its meeting on 3 December 2007. The Joint Committee was broadly supportive of the proposals but stressed that it was important to balance the way in which local people use and access more generalist services provided by the Trust and to ensure that suitable alternative options were in place. It particularly requested that the Trust gave careful consideration to the way in which it would continue to work with other health and social care providers operating across toe catchment area of the Trust. The Joint Committee asked a number of questions of the Trust which were shown in appendix 5 to the Chief Executive's report.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee be provided to the Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust's response to the issues raised by the Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Health Scrutiny Joint Committee

Under items requiring action he gave details on:-

(e) West Sussex Primary Care Trust - Acute Service Reconfiguration

The West Sussex Primary Care Trust had appointed Sir Graham Cato to investigate the alternative proposals that had been received following the public consultation. Sir Graham had indicated that he would favour the retention of Accident and Emergency Services at each hospital, his report to the Primary Care Trust was awaited.

RESOLVED:

That:

i. The committee be kept appraised of the progress of the West Sussex Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

ii. When the West Sussex Primary Care Trust had agreed further options for consideration the officers, in consultation with the Chairman and nominated members come to a view about the nature of the impact of the proposals on Hampshire residents and health services.

135. FORWARD PLAN

The Chief Executive presented the Committee's Forward Plan (Item 6

in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED

That:

a. the Forward Plan be approved subject to the inclusion of issues raised at this meeting.

b. Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital Foundation NHS Trust - Update on progress made be included on the agenda at a future meeting.

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