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 new Ashurst Birth Centre opened on 1 September 2008.

    Fluoridation of Water In Southampton and Southwest Hampshire

    Following a referral from the Leader a Panel has been established to investigate the proposals of the South Central Strategic Health Authority for the fluoridation of water in Southampton and Southwest Hampshire. Arrangements have been made for the Panel to receive evidence from interested parties on 25 September and 6 October 2008 and its findings to be reported to County Council on 20 November 2008 for consideration.

    Transforming the Quality of Dementia Care

    The Department of Health has launched its consultation on transforming the quality of dementia care. In order to maximise the opportunity to influence the response of central government to the key issues it was proposed that a joint response be made from the Committee, Hampshire Adult Services and Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

    National Health Service Constitution

    Included in Lord Darzi's review of the NHS is a proposal for a legally enforceable constitution for the NHS. The draft constitution embraced the following:

    · principles and values of the NHS;

    · rights of patients, the public, and staff;

    · pledges which the NHS will strive to deliver;

    · responsibilities for the public, patients and staff.

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 had re-opened with a more robust medical cover on 22 July 2008.

    Southeast Capacity Plan

    Hampshire Primary Care Trust gave a presentation to the Committee on the developments that had been made on the provision of hospital facilities in southeast Hampshire giving particular reference to the development of the new Oak Park Hospital, Havant.

    The Capacity plan envisaged a hub and spoke model for southeast Hampshire with the upgraded Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham (Scheduled to be completed by June 2009) at the hub with five community hospitals:

St. Mary's, Portsmouth

Gosport War Memorial Hospital

Petersfield Hospital

    Fareham Hospital (At planning stage and scheduled for completion in 2010)

Oak Park Hospital, Havant (Planning permission currently being sought)

    as the spokes. It was confirmed that the Royal Haslar Hospital, Gosport would remain open until work had been completed on Queen Alexandra Hospital. Concern was expressed about The Gosport War Memorial Hospital being able to cope with its increased role following the closure of the Royal Haslar Hospital and the increased car parking problems that would face Gosport War Memorial Hospital. Concern was also expressed that consultants at the Royal Haslar Hospital still did not know what was happening with their services and, as a result, they were unable to advise patients. The question of the future of the Royal Haslar Hospital site was raised and it was hoped the Hampshire Primary Care Trust would be involved in its future planning. Concern was also expressed about the various changes that taken place in the proposals for Oak Park Hospital, Havant and the public consultation that had taken place about the proposals.

    Mental Health Services at Andover War Memorial Hospital

    The concerns of the Committee about the future of the Alan Gardner Unit at Andover War memorial Hospital had been raised with Hampshire Primary Care Trust and Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust. Members highlighted the fact that the service was important and stressed the importance of people understanding that the care they required would be there when needed.

      Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust

      The proposals by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust for a 24 hour Assessment and Treatment programme to upgrade its acute inpatient facilities were reported to the Committee. Members agreed that clarity was required about the population served and that there should be meaningful engagement with stakeholders as this had not been sufficient in Hampshire, particularly given that this population was so vulnerable. Surrey County Council Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee had called in the Trust as a result this and of other concerns.

      Countess Mountbatten Hospice

      Following a letter from Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust advising that referrals would be restricted to the Hospice for a period of five weeks from 9 June 2008 due to extreme operational pressures, Hampshire Primary Care Trust was asked:

        · What alternative arrangements were in place for patients requiring specialist palliative care over the 5 week period.

        · How many patients would be affected.

        · Was the Primary Care Trust confident that it will be possible to reopen the service fully on 14 July.

        · Was the Primary Care Trust satisfied that the pressures on staff are being actively managed by Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.

        · Was the Primary Care Trust satisfied that additional investment in these services is being effectively targeted to provide a full range of support to people needing to use these services.

    The Primary Care Trust has responded positively to the questions raised.

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.

WEST SUSSEX PRIMARY CARE TRUST - ACUTE SERVICE RECONFIGURATION

    1. The West Sussex Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, scrutinising the Fit for the Future process, has agreed to make a referral to the Secretary of State for Health. The decision has been made after a year of meetings to assess all evidence fully, leading up to the decisions made by West Sussex Primary Care Trust on the model for future health services and the location of the major general hospital for the county.

    2. 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.