Agenda item

To consider the report on proposals from the NHS or providers of health services relating to the planning, provision and/or operation of health services in the area of the Committee.

The Committee received a report (item 7 in the minute book) setting out updates from NHS partners on the following matters:

·         Maternity – CQC presentation

·         Winter plan update (including presentation slides from South Central

·         Ambulance)

·         Primary Care Access

·         Strategic Update on primary care networks

·         Whitehill and Bordon Health Hub

Maternity

The Chairman welcomed Julie Dawes and Liz McLeod from Hampshire Hospitals and Margaret Beattie from Hampshire & IoW ICB to address the circulated slides. The slides summarised progress against a number of areas Care Quality Commission actions, safe staffing and listening to patients and staff. 

It was noted that the Trust’s exit from the national programme of support was due to be considered by the National Quality Board.  In relation to questions about  supporting staff with incidents and claims, the National Patient Safety Response Framework was being implemented which promoted a just learning culture.  The issue did not feature strongly in exit interviews.

Communication was the most frequently occurring complaint theme.  The process for handling hospital complaints and concerns was discussed.

Winter pressures

The Chairman welcomed Sara Tiller from the Hampshire & IoW ICB, Paul Jefferies from South Central Ambulance, Paula Anderson from Southern Health and Julie Dawes remained for this item. 

The principal components of the winter plan were described, including keeping people safe at home and effecting the discharge of patients who were deemed no longer to meet the criteria to reside in hospital.  There had been some increased in discharge capacity which had helped to improve length of stay but it remained a challenge to discharge patients in a timely manner.  Provider trusts monitored re-admissions. Discharge of patients with complex needs remained complex to manage effectively across multiple agencies; all agencies had a stake in the discharge process.

In relation to ambulance activity, the following principal points were noted:

·         Category 2 calls made up c55 of calls; category 1 was 6-9%

·         Ambulance delays at hospitals were a factor in a busy winter season

·         The ambulance trusts deployed Hospital Ambulance Liaison Officers to help manage flow

·         Patients were cared for in ambulances while awaiting transfer to hospital

·         Retention of staff was improving and the Trust had a range of support and incentives

More detailed, comparative data on handover delays was requested for the March meeting of the Committee.

Primary Care and Primary Care Networks

The Chairman welcomed Martyn Rogers to support this item, which was led by Sara Tiller.  The Primary care Recovery Plan, described in the report, was highlighted.  

Challenges around primary care access in the Basingstoke area were highlighted by Cllr Taylor.  She described a range of long-standing issues about improving GP access and problems with the effectiveness of the patient participation groups in the locality and whether registered patients were allowed to join.

It was noted that GPs  submitted an annual report to the ICB about the complaints they had handled.

It was agreed to return to the topic of GP access with more information at a future meeting.

Whitehill & Bordon Health Hub

The Chairman welcomed Lisa Medway from the Hampshire & IoW ICB who supported Sara Tiller in the delivery of this update.   It was noted that that the public consultation on this proposal was completed and detailed designs were being progressed and a planning application submitted.  Two key provider prospective tenants had agreed to take occupancy.

It was confirmed that the opening of the new hub did not itself entail the closure of The Chase Community Hospital. Although only 25% utilised, services based at The Chase would need to be relocated before closure of the site was contemplated. The plan was to move services from The Chase to the new Health Hub when completed.

It was suggested that the ICB could produce some literature setting out the plans in this regard to inform local people of the plans.