Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Jackman. Apologies were also received from co-opted members Councillor Butler and Councillor Garton. It was also noted that the Executive Member for Adult Services and Public Health who would usually attend to observe was unable to attend.

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 the circumstances described in 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.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

No declarations were made.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee (HASC) held on 18 January 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any deputations notified under Standing Order 12.

The Committee did not receive any deputations.

To receive any announcements the Chairman may wish to make.

The Chairman invited Councillor Penman to provide an update on the Working Group considering the Savings Programme for 2023 savings for the Adults Health and Care Department. It was reported that the Working Group had met the previous week at the mid-way point of the 6-week consultation and were updated on the progress to date and the further engagement planned prior to the closure of the consultation on 21 March 2022. The Working Group was next due to meet at the end of April in advance of the consultation outcomes and proposals being presented back to the Committee in May.

To receive a combined update on the response to the Covid pandemic in

Hampshire from the Director of Public Health, Director of Adults Health

and Care and representatives of the Hampshire Southampton and Isle of

Wight Clinical Commissioning Group. (an update from Frimley Health

NHS Foundation Trust is appended as a written only update)

The Committee received a combined report on the ongoing response to the Covid pandemic in Hampshire from the Director of Public Health, Director of Adults Health and Care and representatives of the Hampshire Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (see Item 6 in the Minute Book).

Members heard that rates of infection were coming down steadily in all age groups and the country had now moved to a ‘living with covid’ phase. It was noted that the legal requirement for social care staff to be vaccinated was being revoked. It was highlighted that the health care system remained under pressure and this would continue for some time. The pandemic had resulted in a significant backlog in elective care and it would be a focus over the next two years to address the backlog.

Members asked questions and heard:

·         Pressure remained in Accident and Emergency services. The target was to see 95% of patients within 4 hours and at times the percentage being achieved was around 60%. In 2020 A&E attendances went down, however data now suggested the system had returned to experiencing a 4% year on year growth in A&E attendances

·         While covid may spread following the relaxation of the rules relating to isolating and testing, the majority of the population were protected by the vaccination and mortality for those in hospital with covid had reduced compared to earlier in the pandemic

RESOLVED:

1.    The Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee note the update.

2.    That the Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee approve that these COVID-19 updates are now stood down although the Committee may request updates in the future.

To consider a report of the Chief Executive 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.

a)    Stage 2 Independent Investigation Report – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: Update on Action Plan

b)    Care Quality Commission Inspection Report – Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust (published February 2022)

c)    Primary Care Update

d)    Urgent Treatment Centre model

e)    Dental Services Update

a) Stage 2 Independent Investigation Report – Southern Health NHS

Foundation Trust: Update on Action Plan

The Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust presented a report providing an update on progress with the actions the Trust was taking in response to the findings of Stage 2 of the Independent Investigation Report (see Item 7a in the Minute Book).

In response to questions, Members heard:

·      Some of the actions did not have a timescale associated because they were ongoing activity

·      The complaints process had been updated to focus on addressing complaints quickly

RESOLVED:

1.    The Committee welcomes the actions the Trust has taken to date in response to the recommendations made in the Independent Investigation Report.

2.    The Committee request that the Trust attend the HASC meeting on 27 September 2022 alongside commissioners, to provide an update on evidence that the changes made have improved the experience of patients and their families.

b) Care Quality Commission Inspection Report – Southern Health NHS

Foundation Trust (published February 2022)

The Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust presented a report regarding the outcome of a recent inspection of the Trust by the Care Quality Commission (see Item 7b in the Minute Book).

Members heard that the overall rating for the Trust had reduced from Good to Requires Improvement. The biggest challenge related to staffing, with staff retiring and difficulty recruiting and retaining replacements leading to pressure on staff to cover.

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         Southern Health covers a broad range of both mental health and community health services across a large geography. There are other examples of Trusts with the same mix for example in Dorset and that Trust is rated Outstanding

·         There would equally be a risk of fragmentation if the services run by the Trust were split up

·         The Trust would be providing a formal response to CQC with an action plan to respond to the areas the regulator identified as needing improvement

RESOLVED:

1.    The Committee note the latest CQC report on Southern Health.

2.    The Committee request the Trust provide their response to a future meeting, outlining how it is planned to respond to the areas of improvement identified by regulators.

c) Primary Care Update

A representative of the Hampshire Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group presented a report providing an update on primary care services (see Item 7c in the Minute Book).

Members heard that the primary care workforce remains a challenge. GP practices working together in Primary Care Networks (PCNs) was a developing model.

In response to questions, Members heard:

·         It was a national issue that the NHS still used letters in the post rather than emails due to issues around confidentiality and security

RESOLVED:

1.    The Committee note the update on Primary Care.

2.    The Committee request a further update in 2023 (or earlier if possible), focusing on an assessment of primary care demand trends post pandemic and the workforce issues associated with meeting that demand/need.

3.    The Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 61.

To consider the report of the Chief Executive on proposals from the NHS or providers of health services to vary or develop health services in the area of the Committee.

a)    Integrated Primary Care Access Service – update (Commissioners)

b)    Alton Community Hospital – new ward (Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust) 

a) Integrated Primary Care Access Service – update (Commissioners)

The Select Committee received an update from the Hampshire Southampton and Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group regarding the development of the Integrated Primary Care Access Service provided by the Southern Hampshire Primary Care Alliance across Fareham Gosport and south east Hampshire (see report, Item 8a in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee receive an update on extended access to primary care in

Hampshire once the expectations on Primary Care Networks in this regard are

clear.

b) Alton Community Hospital – new ward (Southern Health NHS Foundation

Trust)

A representative from Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust presented a report on plans to open a new ward at Alton Community Hospital (see report, Item 8b in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

That the Committee welcome and support the proposal to increase capacity at

Alton Community Hospital.

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

The Chief Executive’s representativepresented the Committee’s work programme (see Item 9 in the Minute Book).

It was requested that a representative from the Frimley health system be invited to meetings when relevant items are on the agenda. Councillor Cooper requested an update on the newly opened revamped Heatherwood hospital.

Councillor Tree requested an update on the Whitehill and Bordon health hub for the May meeting.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s work programme be approved, subject to any amendments agreed at this meeting.