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.

a)      Project Fusion: Recommendation to create a new community and mental health trust (Southern Health Foundation Trust and Solent NHS Trust)

b)      Acute Services Partnership (Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust)

a)    Project Fusion: Recommendation to create a new community and mental health trust (Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust and Solent NHS Trust)

The Committee considered an update on project proposals to bring together services from four existing organisations (Southern Health, Solent, Portstmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Isle of Wight NHS Trust) into one Hampshire body. Some examples of engagement activity undertaken were provided. 

It was noted that all four organisations had signed off the strategic outline case and a letter of support received from the Integrated Care Board. Members heard that NHS England would also receive a letter at regional leevel to scrutinise the strategic case. The final business case was being worked upon with the aim to have this approved by September 2023.

The Committee noted that no services were planned to change as part of the project. If service changes were planned for the future, it was emphasised that these would be brought back to the Committee with the appropriate detail for consideration.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:

·         Project Fusion would aim to provide more professional wellbeing support in schools and in other part of the community to help young people. They were also working with teachers in training to provide support. Currently, CAMHS and the School Health Visiting service were provided by different organisations but it was felt that one of the benefits of coming together would be a more cohesive approach.

·         Working to meet the needs of children with autism was a priority for the new organisation as agreed with the Hampshire and IOW ICB. The currently unacceptable waiting times for assessment were noted.

·         There was already significant joint working taking place on linking with social care to ensure those leaving hospital could receive the most appropriate level of support and care. Close working with Local Authorities on this was planned to continue.

·         North Hampshire and Frimley were being considered as part of the plans with close discussions taking place with the Surrey and Borders NHS Trust and Frimley NHS Trust. Members remained concerned, however, that North Hampshire needed to be considered to ensure that the service provision across the county was fair for all.

·         Lots of engagement and outreach with stakeholder groups had already taken place with plenty more planned including hard to reach groups. It was confirmed that part of the next project phase was to co-produce the design of the organisation alongside those with lived experience.

Members agreed that no service changes were planned at the current time and therefore recommendation 1 in the report was removed. If any service changes were proposed at a later date then they would be reported and scrutinised following the normal process.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Committee request a further update on Project Fusion at it’s June 2023 meeting.

b)    Acute Services Partnership (Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust)

The Committee received a briefing note regarding changes to the Acute Services Partnership across Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight.

In response to a Member question it was confirmed that patients from the Isle of Wight would not necessarily be required to attend Portsmouth for acute services.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee request a further update on the Partnership at it’s June 2023 meeting following the appointment of the joint leadership team.