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, 25 November 2008.

PRESENT

Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott

Vice-Chairman:

p Councillor Mrs. P.A. West

Councillors:

Co-opted Members:

Councillors:

a Mrs. M. Kerley

p R. Love

p P. Luffman

p J. Marsh

Also in attendance: Councillor Felicity Hindson, MBE, Executive Member for Adult Social Care.

165. 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, Winchester

Councillor D. Wright - wife a General Practice Manager.

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

Councillor Mrs. A.M. McNair Scott - on Advisory Committee of The Trinity Centre, Basingstoke

Councillor P. Edgar - does work for the NHS

Councillor Mrs. P. West - Basingstoke Hospital Governor, Andover War Memorial Hospital Stakeholder and daughter-in law works for NHS

Councillor P. Luffman - Healthcare Worker

166. MINUTES

The Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 23 September 2008 were confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

167. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATION

a. Local Involvement Networks (LINks)

The Chairman reported that Hampshire LINk was proceeding well with arrangements to discharge its statutory role. Charles Kaye had been appointed as the main contact on matters relating to the LINk and that arrangements were in hand for her and the Chairman of the Safe and Healthy People Select Committee to meet with him. A LINk representative would have observer status on the Committee.

b. Portsmouth Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel

The Chairman reported that she was having difficulties attending Portsmouth Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel meetings at present and that she had arranged for Councillors P. Edgar and K Evans the represent, who attended the Panel in other capacities, to represent the Committee's interests at the Panel meetings.

c. South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Chairman reported The South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees met in Portsmouth on 4 November 2008 at which Jim Easton, Chief Executive of South Central Strategic Health Authority, attended and answered members questions. Emerging issues included the financial position of Primary Care Trusts, staff numbers, foundation trusts and healthcare acquired infections. Healthcare acquired infections was being followed up to see if any specific work could be taken forward to improving understanding of infection control in our communities.

d. Centre for Public Scrutiny

The Chairman reported that she would be attending a Centre for Public Scrutiny event on 1 December 2008 at which consideration would be given to how local accountability for health and social services was structured and the contribution that scrutiny could make to improving and understanding health inequalities.

e. Department of Health - Up-dating Responsibilities for Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Chairman reported that she would be attending a Department of Health event to look at ways for up-dating responsibilities of Local Authority Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees on 3 December 2008.

f. Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Health Scrutiny Joint Committee

The Chairman reported that the next meeting of the Joint Committee would take place on 9 December 2008 and that Ambulance Service performance would be the main item on the agenda

168. DEPUTATIONS

The Committee received a deputation from Mr. C. Curry and Mr. T. Lowes of the Emsworth Residents' Association about the Southeast Capacity Plan.

169 INQUIRIES RECEIVED AND ACTION TAKEN

The Chief Executive presented a report on enquiries received, the

source of each enquiry and the action taken (Item 5 in the Minute Book). The enquiries related to:-

a. Southeast Capacity Plan

Hampshire Primary Care Trust presented a detailed briefing on the progress with the refreshment of the southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan. Details were given about the background to the capacity plan, involvement and consultation and the key impacts of the refreshment. The future and location of beds at Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham were outlined together with information on outpatients, adaptability the movement of services to Gosport War Memorial Hospital, pain clinics, cancer services, phlebotomy and transport. The key messages were:

· Bed requirements reducing overall but some specialties increasing.

· Reductions in length of stay due to surgical improvements and moves to day surgery.

· Increased care closer to home leading to earlier discharge and admission avoidance.

The next steps were continued development and continued involvement; monthly briefings to stakeholders and population and a targeted communications programme. It was agreed that the Committee should receive a further update at it meeting on 26 May 2009.

b. Mental Health Services at Andover War Memorial Hospital

Councillor Mrs West, who, with Councillor Mrs. Kerley, had been appointed as Lead Members to act as a link with Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust, gave an update on the current position with the Alan Gardner Unit. Staff had now been fully involved and were receiving regular updates.

c. Financial Position of Hampshire Primary Care Trust

Hampshire Primary Care Trust presented a report on the pressures on the Trust's budget, a predicted overspend of £7m as a result of increased out[patient referrals to acute care by General Practitioners. The actions being taken to address the pressures were outlined.

d. Access to Health Services for People who are Homeless

The Hampshire Primary Care Trust gave updated the Committee on the strategy for primary care provision for homeless people in Hampshire. Details were given about the number of homeless people and those in temporary accommodation in each district in Hampshire, the definition and categories of homelessness, the health needs and service review that had been undertaken and the work plan and recommendations for the way forward. It was agreed that a further update should be presented to the Committee on 31 March 2009.

e. Pharmacy Services

Following questions raised by Councillor Mrs. Porter Hampshire Primary Care Trust had responded to the points raised. A copy of the Trust's response is shown as Appendix four to the Chief Executive's report. It was agreed that no further should be taken until the outcome of national consultation was known.

f. Changes to Acute Stroke and Major Trauma Services in London

Hampshire Primary Care Trust gave an update on the impact of the changes to acute stroke and major trauma services in London for Hampshire residents. It was not anticipated that there would be any changes to access to these services should they be required.

RESOLVED:

That:

i. The report be received and the actions outlined in it be

endorsed.

ii. An update on the Southeast Hampshire Capacity Plan be presented to the Committee on 26 May 2009.

iii. An update on access to health services for people who are homeless be present to the Committee on 31 March 2009.

170. 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 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. Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust: Outpatients Relocation

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust had advised the Committee that it was currently exploring the feasibility of relocating some outpatient services to another site in Winchester.

b. Assisted Conception Services in South Central Strategic Health Authority Area

The Specialist Commissioning team for South Central Strategic Health Authority had confirmed its intention to go out to consultation on the provision of assisted conception services across the Strategic Health Authority area. The intention was to agree a single set of criteria for accessing these services to ensure that there was a consistent equitable provision. It was anticipated that formal consultation would commence in December, if so, the Specialist Commissioning Team had agreed to extend the consultation period to take account of the holiday period. The South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees had considered the matter at a meeting on 4 November 2008 and had requested additional information about the specific changes proposed and the number of patients affected in each Primary Care Trust area and the funding available to support these services. The need to clearly demonstrate engagement with key stakeholders, including patient support groups, in drawing proposals together was also stressed.

RESOLVED:

That:

i. The additional information requested by the South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees be circulated to Members once received.

ii. The Officers, in conjunction with the Chairman, take account of any feedback from Members and come to a view about whether the proposed changes are substantial in nature and responds to the consultation as appropriate.

Under items requiring action he gave details on:-

c. West Sussex Primary Care Trust - Acute Service Reconfiguration

Following the referral to the Secretary of State the Independent Reconfiguration Panel has recommended that a full review into the referral should be carried out. However, following West Sussex Primary Care Trust's announcement that it is putting the Fit for the Future decisions on hold, the Secretary of State has written to the Joint Committee advising that he has asked the Independent Reconfiguration Panel not to conduct a full review for the time being. This is while the Royal West Sussex NHS Trust (St Richard's, Chichester) and Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust develop proposals for the two to be merged.

RESOLVED:

That:

i. The Committee be kept appraised of the Secretary of State's decision and any move to reconvene he Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny to consider the Secretary of State's decision.

ii. Councillors Mrs. A. Buckley and D Wright continue to represent the views of Hampshire at any further Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny meetings.

d. Fluoridation of Water in Southampton and Southwest Hampshire

The final report of the Water Fluoridation Panel had been presented to the County Council on 20 November 2008 and was debated in full. The response has now been sent to the South Central Strategic Health Authority.

RESOLVED:

That:

i. The content of the report of the Water Fluoridation Panel

be noted.

ii. The Water Fluoridation Panel takes forward the work associated with the delivery of recommendations 11,12 and 13 of the report.

iii. If necessary planned work programmes are adjusted to allow appropriate officer support to continue to be provided to the Water Fluoridation Panel.

iv. The findings of the Water Fluoridation Panel be circulated as widely as possible, locally and nationally.

e. Department of Health: National Health Service Constitution

Following discussion at the last meeting of the Committee the Chairman had sent a response to the Department of Health setting out the views of the Committee on the proposed NHS Constitution.

f. Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust - Proposals to Reconfigure 24 Hour Assessment and Treatment (Inpatient Mental Health Services)

The Chairman reported that there would be a formal meeting of the Committee to consider this issue that afternoon.

171. FORWARD PLAN

The Chief Executive presented the Committee's Forward Plan (Item 7

in the Minute Book) and advised Members that the review of Out of Hours and Unscheduled Care had been deferred until the meeting of the Committee on 31 March 2009. It was requested that Ambulance Service response should be included for consideration at a future meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Forward Plan be approved subject to the inclusion of issues raised at this meeting and Ambulance Service Response be included for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee.

.