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, 31 March 2009.

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.

178. 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 P. Edgar - does work for the NHS

Councillor D. Harrison - employed by NHS

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

Winchester

Councillor P. Luffman - Healthcare Worker

Councillor Mrs. A. McNair Scott - on Advisory Committee of The Trinity

Centre, Basingstoke

Councillor Mrs. P. West - Andover War Memorial Hospital Stakeholder and

daughter-in law works for NHS

Councillor D. Wright - Wife a General Practice Manager

179. MINUTES

The Minutes of the two Meetings of the Committee held on 3 February 2009 were confirmed as a correct record, and signed by the Chairman.

180. CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATION

a. Local Information Network (LINk)

The Chairman welcomed Tom Smith, Chairman Elect for Hampshire LINk and Frank Rust, Vice Chairman elect for Hampshire LINk representing north Hampshire.

b. South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The Chairman reported that a meeting of the South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees took place on 12 March 2009. Items included:

· Infection Control

· Transforming Community Services

· Development of South Central Strategic Health Authority

· South Central Ambulance Service Performance

· Assisted Conception

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

The Chairman reported that the Hampshire, Southampton, Portsmouth and Isle of Wight Health Scrutiny Joint Committee would next meet on 7 April 2009 with the main item on the agenda being public transport links to the redeveloped Queen Alexandra Hospital.

d. New Forest Birth Centre - Visit

The Chairman reported that some Members had visited the new New Forest Birth Centre on 11 March and she had visited it on 25 March.

181. 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 4 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. Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust - Foundation Trust Status

The Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust gave a presentation on its application for Foundation Trust status including future proposals for its services. The Trust had heard yesterday that it had received Foundation Trust status with effect from 1 April 2009.

RESOLVED:

That Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust be congratulated on being given Foundation Trust status.

b. Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust: Outpatients Relocation

Proposals to relocate the Royal Hampshire County Hospital outpatients services to Avalon House, Winchester were still under consideration by the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust.

RESOLVED:

That the Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust provides the Committee with regular updates on the proposals for the relocation of outpatient services.

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

Following the last meeting of the Committee no member identified any issues with the proposed changes that were considered to be substantial. The Chairman, therefore, had written to the Specialist Commission Group on 26 February 2009 to confirm this. The Chairman reported that this had also been considered at a recent meeting of South central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees and that the consensus of opinion was that it was not substantial.

Under items requiring action he gave details on:-

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

Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust gave an update on proposals to reconfigure 24 hour assessment and treatment following the extended consultation. They outlined what the extended consultation involved, the key messages arising from the consultation and the next steps.

Hart District and Rushmoor Borough Councils, Hampshire Adult Services and Surrey Heath and Northeast Hampshire Mental Health Forum had concerns that the issues raised at the meeting on 25 November 2008 had been resolved, in particular access to community care and transport and accessibility. Hart District Council had not been aware of any local consultation. Hampshire Primary Care Trust agreed that the accessibility of community services for local people was important and that they would wish to understand the impact of the revised model, they said that the quality of services for people was important and that they would ensure that people were able to access the services that they needed. On being questioned about services for drug and alcohol users Members were advised that inpatient services for drug and alcohol users were provided via Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust and not Surrey and Borders but that they would continue to provide community drug and alcohol services. Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust said that they were continuing dialogue with all stakeholders and would ensure that the District and County Councils were kept in the link, they confirmed that community services were to be commissioned. On the question of the use of the older buildings they said that nursing in these buildings was a problem as was the cost of refurbishment and maintenance.

RESOLVED:

That Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust

i. Continue the dialogue with Hart District and Rushmoor

Borough Councils and the County Council to ensure that

changes to services were in the best interests of

Hampshire residents.

ii. Confirm that they have responded to any concerns detailed in writing to them by Hart District and Rushmoor Borough Councils.

iii. Ensure that any further proposed changes to services be advised in writing to all stakeholders as a matter of urgency.

iv. Report back to Hampshire Primary Care Trust with quality indicators for Hampshire residents.

v. Report back regularly to the Committee on progress being made with the proposals.

e. Fluoridation of Drinking Water in Southampton and Southwest Hampshire

The Chairman reported that, at a meeting on the 26 February 2009, the South Central Strategic Health Authority Board had considered the outcome of the consultation to add fluoride to drinking water in parts of Southampton and southwest Hampshire and resolved that fluoride should be added to the drinking water. The Water Fluoridisation Panel had been reconvened to consider the Strategic Health Authority's decision and met on 23 March 2009. The Chairman had written a letter to the Chief Executive of the South Central Strategic Health Authority, which had been circulated to Members, requesting a response to the issues raised in the Leaders letter of 20 November 2008 and expressing dismay that that the carefully considered views of the County Council were not raised with the Board and that there was no indication that the Board members had had any briefing on the concerns that the County Council highlighted with regard to the proposals.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee be advised of the South Central Strategic Health Authority's reply to the Chairman.

f. West Sussex Primary Care Trust - Acute Service Reconfiguration

The merger of the Royal West Sussex NHS Trust (St. Richards Hospital, Chichester) and Worthing and Southlands Hospitals NHS Trust had now been agreed and was on course to take place on 1 April 2009. It was not expected that any changes resulting from the merger would lead to changes in services to patients. The response of the Independent Reconfiguration Panel to the referral from the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee has been suspended by the Secretary of State pending the outcome of the proposed merger. West Sussex Primary Care Trust is now considering the implications and the issue of a revised Fit for the Future plan.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee be kept appraised of the situation.

182. 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:-

a. Mental Health Services at Andover War Memorial Hospital

Councillor Mrs. West reported that Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust was keeping all parties advised of the proposals for mental health services at Andover War Memorial Hospital and that the outcome of the consultation process was awaited.

b. Access to Health Services for People who are Homeless

Hampshire Primary Care Trust gave an update on the provision of primary care services to the homeless people in Hampshire. Since November 2008 the Trust had refined its focus on the project and had decided to do further background work before redesigning the service. The workgroup would meet in April 2009 to analyse data obtained from a survey, audit and analysis of Accident and Emergency attendances. This data would help shape an engagement and consultation plan to gather the views of potential future users of the services which would commence in June 2009. Further networking would also take place with local authorities, independent or charitable organisations to ensure joined-up partnership working.

c. South Central Ambulance Trust Performance

The Chairman reported that the South Central Ambulance Service had recently presented a report to the South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees which had been favourably received. A copy of the report to South Central Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees was shown as Appendix 2 to the Chief Executive's report. Members expressed concern at the continued delays in the Ambulance Service meeting required targets in rural areas and more information was requested on performance in rural areas.

d. Minor Injuries Unit, Havant War Memorial Hospital

Hampshire Primary Care Trust reported that, although the sickness problem at Havant War Memorial Hospital was now over the minor injuries unit had not yet opened as there was currently only one member of staff on duty at a time qualified to deal with minor injuries. Other members of staff were in the process of being appropriately trained and the minor injuries unit would reopen when enough staff were trained to ensure that two appropriately trained members of staff were on duty for the unit.

e. Transfer of Vascular Surgery

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust and Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust had agreed new arrangements for managing patients requiring vascular surgery. Only the surgery was affected, all other care being provided locally. It was anticipated that this would affect approximately 110 patients per annum and would greatly enhance the team working of specialists providing the care.

f. Contraceptive and Sexual Health Services

Southampton City Primary Care Trust had given notification of plans to relocate the contraceptive and sexual health services from the Quays Health Centre to Royal South Hants Hospital. This would affect only a small number of Hampshire residents.

g. Healthcare Commission Assurance

Letters had been sent to each NHS Trust providing services to Hampshire residents setting out the issues subject to review by the Healthcare Commission that had been considered by the Committee in the past year.

h. Aldershot Centre for Health - Car Parking Problems

Hampshire Primary Care Trust reported that, although there was sufficient car parking for patients and public there was insufficient parking for members of staff. The Trust was currently working with Rushmoor Borough Council and the Ministry of Defence on a travel plan and parking. A short term solution would be available by September 2009 with a view to a longer term solution for the future.

RESOLVED:

That:

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

endorsed.

ii. Hampshire Primary Care Trust updates the Committee on progress made in redesigning health services for people who are homeless at the meeting of the Committee on 24 November 2009.

iii. The Chairman writes to South Central Ambulance NHS Trust requesting information about the ambulance performance in rural Hampshire and the Committee receives an up date on ambulance performance in Hampshire in July 2009.

183. ANNUAL REPORT 2008/09

The Chief Executive presented the annual report for 2008/09 (Item 6 in the Minute Book) He outlined the proposed work programme which would take account of issues raised by Members over the past year and discussed in Committee, topics identified by key partners, national policy developments that would have an impact on the health of local people and local issues that would have an impact on the provision of health services living in Hampshire. The Committee would continue to take an active interest in developments in Care at the End of Life in Hampshire, fluoridation of water supplies in Southampton and southwest Hampshire, South Central Ambulance Service performance, community based services and therapy services in schools. It would also resume an active interest in the planning and delivery of Out of Hours and unscheduled care.

RESOLVED:

That the Annual Report for 2008/09 and the draft work programme for 2009/10 be approved.

184. WORK PROGRAMME 2008/09 - OUT OF HOURS SERVICE AND

UNSCHEDULED CARE

Hampshire Primary Care Trust gave an update on the provision of Out of Hours services in Hampshire. Overall Hampshire was rated as better performing by the Healthcare Commission although some cases clearly needed improvement including:

· Phone response to Out of Hours Calls, specifically the number of calls that are engaged or abandoned.

· Provisions of medications by the Out of Hours General Practitioner Services.

RESOLVED:

That the current position with Out of Hours Service and Unscheduled Care be noted and the review of the services continues with a further report being presented to the Committee in September 2009.

185. FORWARD PLAN

The Chief Executive presented the Committee's Forward Plan (Item 8

in the Minute Book)

RESOLVED

That the Forward Plan be approved.

.