Agenda item

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

·         Hampshire Together Update (Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust)

·         Enhanced Access to GP Services (Commissioners)

a)    Hampshire Together update (Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust)

Alex Whitfield, Dr Lara Alloway, Ruth Colburn Jackson and Shirlene Oh from Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust attended to present the update.

The Committee received a presentation outlining the current position for the new hospital programme and ongoing activity. Members heard that patient and public engagement activities were continuing to inform the development of the business case. Members noted the timeline of upcoming dates including the Strategic Outline Case submission to the NHS in 2022, full business case submission targeted for March 2025, the start of construction in 2025 and ‘doors opening’ in 2030.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that:

·         Decisions were being made regularly regarding necessary building upgrades to the aging existing estate and that the new facilities at the hospital would be much welcomed.

·         Travel links to the new hospital in Basingstoke were an important factor being taken into consideration for both patients and visitors.

·         It was anticipated that the most acute services would be centralised at the new hospital with planned procedures and longer term care being provided at other sites more local to the individual patient. This was similar to the current arrangement.

·         The Trust recognised that there was a minimal risk of the funding not being awarded but the presenters assured the Committee that the new hospital was a flagship project, part of a key programme and that they had received strong assurances from Government that the project would go ahead fully funded.

·         The Trust currently had very low nursing vacancy numbers and that this had been as a result of an international recruitment drive. The new hospital would incorporate facilities and restrooms for staff to use during break times which would promote staff wellbeing and was hoped to help with staff retention.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Committee note the update on the Hampshire Together programme.

b)    Enhanced Access to GP Services

Dr Zaid Hirmiz, Kirsten Lawrence and Tom Sheppard from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System (ICS) attended to present the item.

Members noted that the objectives of the initiative when it was first established had been to provide additional primary care capacity outside of core hours (namely 6.30-8pm Monday to Friday and 9-5pm on Saturdays) from a range of health services including GP’s.

The Committee heard that a combined approach, incorporating two initiatives that had been operating in parallel, was being planned and would be implemented in October 2022. It was noted that the Primary Care Networks were working with the ICS’s to create a draft plan for the combined service ahead of the changes coming into place in October.

In response to Members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·         The ICS was cognisant of workforce pressures and the shortage of GP’s and that this made it difficult to access primary care services. It was also noted that retention of existing staff, making the role attractive, was important as much as recruiting new GP’s.

·         GP and feedback on working extended hours had been mixed and that some preferred to work evenings and Saturdays due to personal commitments.

·         A comprehensive public engagement approach would be adopted to seek feedback on the PCN combined approach proposals.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee request a written summary of the presentation given at the meeting to be emailed to Members.

ii)    That the Committee request an update for the November 2022 meeting confirming how all Hampshire Primary Care Networks are delivering the requirements for Extended Access to GP services.