Archived decisions
REPORT OF THE
HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
PART II
PROPOSALS TO DEVELOP OR VARY NHS SERVICES
1. The Committee is continuing to monitor proposals from the NHS to substantially vary health services, including:
Review of Maternity Services in Southwest Hampshire
The Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust has confirmed that the project programme for the new Ashurst Birth Centre has now been finalised with a completion date of 19 August 2008. It is proposed that the Centre will open on 1 September 2008.
`Changes for the Better' Guidance when undertaking major changes to NHS Services
Lord Darzi has published a further interim on his review of the NHS which had began in July 2007. The interim report sets out the context and underpinning principles for local models of care developed by clinicians across the country. At the same time the Department of Health has published `Best Practice Guidance' to guide patients, the public and NHS staff on the processes, including the consultation process, underpinning changes to acute NHS services. This includes reference to local authority scrutiny, including options for resolving disagreements between scrutiny committees, and a range of community engagement and consultation activities and case studies. The framework for assessing substantial change developed by Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight and the former Hampshire Strategic Health Authority will be updated in collaboration with Hampshire Primary Care Trust taking account of the proposed changes.
2. The responses made by the Committee influence and improve the delivery of health services in Hampshire and, in doing so, support the Corporate Strategy aim of maximising well being.
INQUIRIES RECEIVED AND ACTION TAKEN
1. The Committee continues to receive inquiries from partner organisations and County Councillors. At the last meeting Members were alerted to inquiries about:
Fordingbridge Hospital
Members were updated on the progress being made with the reopening of Fordingbridge Hospital. The hospital was to re-open shortly with a more robust medical cover.
Joint Strategic Needs Assessment
The Director of Public Health gave the Committee a presentation on the progress with the development of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and the key areas for action emerging from this work. A copy of the document " Healthy Horizons enabling people in Hampshire to live longer and Healthy Lives" is available in the Members' Room She gave details of emerging practices and said that the Local Area Agreement is the tool to the delivery of services. The Public Health Annual Report is now available on the website and the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment will be published in Autumn 2008
Oak Park Hospital, Havant
The development of Oak Park Hospital is linked with the planned refresh of the Southeast Capacity Plan and that a report on this will be presented to the next meeting of the Committee. The Committee's attention was drawn to the fact that a revised planning application for Oak Park Hospital had already been made to Havant Borough Council and members requested information as to why this had happened prior to consultation with the Committee.
Access to Health Services for People who are Homeless
The Committee received an update on the provision of healthcare services for the homeless population of Winchester. Information about these services in the rest of Hampshire has been requested.
Mental Health Services at Andover War Memorial Hospital
Following numerous enquiries about the future of the Alan Gardner Unit at Andover War Memorial Hospital the Hampshire Primary Care Trust reported that they had met with Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust which had given a commitment on pre-engagement for any proposals about the Alan Gardner Unit. The Committee asked for its concerns about the future of the Alan Gardner Unit be shared with Hampshire Primary Care Trust and Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust.
Surrey and Borders NHS Trust
Following local stakeholders raising concerns in which the needs of Hampshire residents were being taken into account , further information is being sought on the impact of proposals to reconfigure inpatient adult mental health services by the Trust. Neither this Committee nor Surrey Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee nor Rushmoor, Hart and East Hampshire District Councils have been consulted on the proposals. It was agreed that as well as seeking information on proposals Surrey and Borders NHS Trust be reminded of its obligations to consult under the provisions of Sections 242 and 244 of the National Health Service Act 2006.
Changes to General Practitioner Premises - Plan for Engagement with Practice Population
As a result of concern expressed about recent changes to General Practitioner premises the Hampshire Primary Care Trust has formulated plans for the engagement of practice populations for any future changes to General Practitioner premises.
Pain Clinic Referrals from Gosport
Following an inquiry from a Gosport Borough Councillor information was sought from Hampshire Primary Care Trust on the number of patients affected and the relationship between in-patient and out-patient activity; the needs assessment supporting these changes, taking account of travel difficulties; details of the current review and supporting engagement activities; if pain clinics will be provided on an out patient basis in the future and the current pattern of pain clinic provision across south east Hampshire. It was agreed that there was a need to develop a strategy for the range of out patient services at Gosport War Memorial Hospital and concern was expressed about the ability of Gosport War Memorial Hospital being able to cope with the demand for services following the closure of the Royal Haslar Hospital. Hampshire Primary Care Trust will be providing additional information on the pattern of pain clinics across southeast Hampshire at the Committee's next meeting.
2. The responses made by the Committee influence and improve the delivery of health services in Hampshire and, in doing so, support the Corporate Strategy aim of maximising well being.
CARE AT THE END OF LIFE
1. The Committee received a presentation from representatives of the Care at the End of Life Steering Group giving an update on progress following the Care at the End of Life review. Details were given of the achievements and progress made over the past nine months since the steering group was formed, indicative targets and issues to be addressed over the next year and an update on the national picture and the role of Hampshire in influencing and supporting the national agenda. Members were advised of the end of life pathway for a particular patient and how he and his family were guided through the pathway. A conference on Care at the End of Life was in the process of being arranged for 9 July 2008 to which all members of the Committee would be invited and the national strategy was scheduled to be launched in July 2008.
2. The Care at the End of Life review has influenced the delivery of health and Social Services in Hampshire and, in doing so, supports the Corporate Strategy Aim of Maximising Well being.
WEST SUSSEX PRIMARY CARE TRUST - ACUTE SERVICE RECONFIGURATION
1. The West Sussex Primary Care Trust has now decided that Worthing
General Hospital will now become the Major General Hospital as it is
considered to provide the best access for the greatest number of people
including those areas with poorest health outcomes and highest levels of
deprivation with St. Richards, Chichester and Princess Royal, Haywards
Heath becoming Local General Hospitals. Accident and Emergency
services would remain at all three hospitals.. There will be a midwife-led
unit co-located alongside the consultant-led maternity services at
Worthing, a stand-alone midwife-led unit at St Richard's Hospital in
Chichester and a further stand-alone midwife-led unit will be established
in the north of the County following further engagement with the public.
The Hospital Trusts are examining how best to develop clinical networks,
and looking at how the organisational structure can best support the
proposals.
2. The West Sussex Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will
continue to assess the proposals and Hampshire's Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee will continue to look at the effect of the proposals on Hampshire residents.
3. The input to the West Sussex Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee influences and improve the delivery of health services to Hampshire residents and, in doing so, support the Corporate Strategy aim of maximising well being.
ANNA McNAIR SCOTT
Chairman.
4IR450608