Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Cllr Briggs with Cllr Hayre substituting and from Cllr C Garton.

All Members who believe they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting must declare that interest and, having regard to Part 3 Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members’ Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore all Members with a Personal Interest in a matter being considered at the meeting should consider, having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 4 of the Code, whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 5 of the Code, consider whether it is appropriate to leave the meeting while the matter is discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 5 March.

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 March were approved as a correct record.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

There were no deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman highlighted the following:

Frimley Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee 

The new joint committee with Surrey CC and Bracknell Forest BC met for the first time on 17 May. It appointed SCC Cllr Trefor Hogg as its Chairman, approved its terms of reference and was setting out its work programme for the rest of 2024.

Hampshire Hospitals Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee 

Members of the joint committee met with representatives of Hampshire Hospitals a few days ago to receive an initial update on the results of the public consultation.  Further meetings are planned for June to finalise the Joint Committee’s response to the consultation.

Portsmouth Hospital – visit to A&E Department

Council officers have toured the new A&E department alongside other community partners in preparation for the work they will be undertaking in the new space.

SP25 Working Group

The established SP25 Savings Proposals Task and Finish Working Group have met a further three times since our last HASC meeting.  The Group have received detailed briefings on all three Adults’ Health and Care proposals. 

Following its briefing on the Grants proposals, that the removal of the CVS Infrastructure Grant would not have an additional negative impact on the passenger transport proposal, the Working Group requested that an officer of Universal Services attend the Working Group to provide assurance that work was underway to assess likely impacts for vulnerable adults who use these services.

The Working Group requested access to the consultation findings on this particular proposal in order to consider any recommendations to the Universal Services Select Committee. The Working Group will meet again on 28th May mainly to focus on the Homelessness Support Services proposal and to come to a conclusion on what the Working Group will be recommending to HASC when we meet on 18th June.

Sara Tiller, Hampshire Place Director, HIOW ICB and Emma Boswell, Frimley ICB

Sara Tiller and Emma Boswell have each attended this Committee on many occasions. Sara Tiller is retiring at the end of this month from the NHS after 25 years’ dedicated service and Emma Boswell who we worked with in establishing the new Frimley JHOSC left at the end of April.

The Chairman thanked them both for their contributions to the work of this committee and wished them both well for the future.

To consider a report on issues brought to the attention of the Committee which impact upon the planning, provision and/or operation of health services within Hampshire, or the Hampshire population.

The Committee received an introductory report on the health scrutiny issues presented today.

To receive an update on plans to improve on access to emergency care and to diagnostics.

The committee received a report and the Chairman welcomed John Knighton and Dr Kate Hardy from Portsmouth University NHS Trust.

The report confirmed that the project is supported by £58 million of national funding and will provide a range of improved facilities for adults and children using the department including additional resus capacity and faster access to diagnostics.  It was expected that the building would have a 30 year lifespan.

The ongoing challenge to the Portsmouth emergency care provision was discussed.  More beds at Portsmouth were used for emergency care than any other in Hampshire, or what was normal for an acute hospital. The new building provided an expansion but the main emphasis was on a more efficient and connected environment.  The Trust did not necessarily require more staff for the new unit.  The improved and more appropriate patient flow would help to address ambulance delays. Improvements to same day emergency care provision would reduce or eliminate inappropriate admissions.

The Trust worked in partnership with mental health providers to support patients presenting with mental health needs or a combination of needs.

The hospital was seeing patients with a range of illnesses including norovirus, flu and some covid.  The local population health often resulted in delayed presentations.  Although more GP appointments were being offered demand was rising and primary care was perceived as inaccessible.

It was agreed to revisit the issue in October.  The Committee noted the report.  

To receive a verbal update on the North Hampshire PCN review and the ICB’s Action plan for the improvement of GP access 

The Chairman welcomed James Roach and Martyn Rogers from Hampshire & IoW ICB to present an update on primary care accessibility.  It was noted that individual surgery lists had grown, there were 12,500 more registrations since 2022 and that more appointments were being provided.  The growing role of  Integrated Neighbourhood Teams was emphasised as a way to improve joint working across pharmacy, community care and social care teams. 

Access plans were regularly reviewed and call answering capacity and support in care navigation was being developed.  Cllr Taylor who had raised the issue of primary care accessibility in the north of the county remained concerned about the way in which appointments were being booked by telephone and by app.  The system was only available for 1.5 hours in the day in her locality for example.  There was a specific concern that councillors and other supporters were unable to directly mediate for patients on the app system because of its design.

The ICB was advised of significant new residential developments and would seek to reserve land for health care facilities where appropriate based on future needs.  Councillors would continue to support the NHS to access developer contribution.

The Committee noted that a substantive update was to be presented at the 19 June meeting of the Committee.

To receive an update from Hampshire & IoW Integrated Care Board and Frimley Integrated Care Board on progress with the Dental Improvement Plan.

The Chairman welcomed Simon Cooper from Hampshire & Isle of Wight ICB and Nicola Airey from Frimley ICB. Both ICBs had submitted reports.

It was noted that Hampshire & IoW ICB had recently assumed delegated authority over dental commissioning and the current priority was to stabilise the service and to increase capacity to address care backlogs.  There were enhancements for new NHS dentists.  However, there was a requirement for patients to undergo a chargeable check-up when allocated to a new dentist.  There were also concerns about repeated cancellations of appointments.  

The system of recording paying for dental activity was described.  The contract did not require dentists to provide ongoing care – this was distinct from a registration with a GP. 

It was acknowledged that there was an increase in children attending hospital for extractions.  Work with Public Health continued to provide education on dental hygiene.

The work of the dental bus was discussed, including how patients were identified and scheduled and the locations visited determined.  

It was unclear how many people were not accessing any dental care and it was agreed to return to the subject with further data in this regard.  The Committee noted the report.

Update on the completion of the Southern Health and Solent merger and the effects on health care services.

The Chairman welcomed Andrew Strevens from Solent NHS Trust and a report was submitted which confirmed that the original target for the creation of the new Trust was April 2024. In March 2024, it was decided to move to a phased approach with a new target date of 1 July 2024.

On 1 May 2024, when approximately 1,200 colleagues transferred from Isle of Wight Trust to Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust. These staff comprise colleagues from the Island’s community, mental health and learning disability services as well as corporate support staff associated with these services. Isle of Wight colleagues join around 500 colleagues from Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) who successfully transferred to Southern Health on 1 February 2024.

The final phase will be for Southern Health and Solent NHS Trusts to join together to form Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, on Monday 1 July 2024, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

Members of the Committee were concerned about continuing delays to CAMS assessments.  Under the merger the Hampshire CAMS service was transferring from Sussex Partnership NHS  FT and under Project Fusion all the professionals would be under the one provider.  This was enabling greater training and support for staff. This would go some way to addressing national issues around shortages of professionals.

The Committee noted the report.

To make a recommendation to 23 May Council on the request from West Berkshire Council.

The Committee received a report summarising a proposal to the Council meeting this week to amend the terms of reference of the Hampshire Together Joint Health Scrutiny Committee to provide a seat for a representative of West Berkshire Council.

The Committee agreed the proposal and the Chairman would confirm this at the Council meeting.

To consider and approve the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee Work Programme.

The Committee received a report setting out the work programme, which would be updated in the light of today’s discussions where follow-up was required.