Dear Alex

Access to PPCI in Hampshire, Portsmouth Southampton and the Isle of Wight

Many thanks to you and your team for attending our meeting last week. I am sure that you will have picked up from the discussion that this is an issue that is of considerable interest to HOSCs and it was clear that the PCTs that you represent were are keen to move forward as quickly as possible in order to start to deliver the benefits that PPCI can bring to local people who have a heart attack.

The very different approach you have adopted since our last discussion on how PPCI would be taken forward was very welcome and certainly far less fragmented than previous proposals. As discussed at the meeting there is an opportunity to move forward with this work collaboratively and I have set out below the additional issues that we would wish to explore in more detail.

On the basis of the presentation to members it was clear that there are two work streams that need to be taken forward in tandem, with an agreed way forward for one but not the other:

· With regard to the mainland population the only change would be that two centres, North Hampshire Hospitals and Portsmouth Hospitals would move to provide PPCI on a 24/7 basis. The population across Hampshire, Portsmouth, and Southampton will be able to access PPCI within the 120 minute window. Members came to the conclusion these proposals would constitute a change in service but as described this would not be substantial. This view is however dependent further work in a number of areas as set out below. This includes robust engagement with stakeholders and patient groups over the coming months.

· The options for the Isle of Wight are still being worked through and there are specific challenges in providing the same level of service to this population. Further work is progressing to identify how people on the Isle of Wight can access PPCI and the suggested phased approach clearly provides a possible way forward. I know the Isle of Wight PCT is co-ordinating a meeting with the Isle of Wight HOSC in January 2010 to explore the how this should be managed and look forward to hearing proposals for achieving this. As discussed at the meeting it is the Isle of Wight HOSC that will come to a view about the need for public consultation.

As agreed we will meet again on 16 March 2010 to assess progress with both work streams and receive the following information

· A breakdown of ambulance response times to include rural areas and the range ( rather than the median) of responses

· The equipment required to enable paramedics to make the diagnosis and send telemetry to PPCI centres

· Confirmation of those hospitals on the borders of Hampshire that would be able to provide these services within the 120 minute window

· Plans to raise public awareness about the symptoms of a heart attack and the action to take should these occur

· Access to cardiac rehabilitation services

We will of course be in touch with you nearer to this date to confirm arrangements, in the meantime do please contact me should you have any queries about the content of this letter.

Yours sincerely

1. Anna McNair Scott

Chairman, Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee