Agenda item

(To receive a presentation from Jan Sobieraj (The Trust's Chief Executive), which will provide the Committee with an introduction to United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which is the provider of acute hospital services to most of the residents of Lincolnshire.  The presentation will also outline the Trust's services and hospitals; provide an overview of its budget; and the challenges faced by the Trust in the coming years)

The Committee received a presentation from Jan Sobieraj, Chief Executive, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which provided an introduction to the United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust.

The presentation provided the Committee with information relating to:-

·         The background behind the Trust;

·         How the Trust was run and funded;

·         How money was spent;

·         Breakdown figures relating to the Trusts deficit;

·         The Trust's successes;

·         The challenges faced by the Trust; and

·         The Trust's vision for the future by 2021 and its five biggest priorities.

During discussion, members of the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         The workings of the sustainability and Transformation Fund.  The Committee noted that the amount drawn down was based on performance.  If all the activity set out was not achieved then a lesser amount would be drawn down;

·         The need to attract more patients to generate the Trust's income and help reduce the deficit.  Reference was made to the 'Choose and Book System' and the impact of it on the amount of work carried out at the Trust.  The Committee noted that the Trust was promoting itself through the 'Choose and Book System' for elective treatment, for example by developing centres of excellence in Lincoln rather than outside the County.  It was highlighted that part of the Five Year Plan would be that services would be provided locally through Neighbourhood Teams whenever possible; and that wherever possible services would be centralised onto fewer sites, which would allow for more elective work;

·         Explanation of the deficit breakdown.  The Committee noted that approximately £30 million of the Trust's deficit related to the duplication of services across several sites.  That reducing reliance on agency staff would help save £13m.  Increasing the amount of elective care from CCGs would support the direction of travel and increase income, which would then reduce the current deficit of £13m; and reducing the ULHT inefficiencies of £13m as part of the five year improvement plan.  It was noted that a national initiative led by Lord Carter of Coles was looking into NHS productivity, cost efficiency and was also providing direction for improvement;

·         The Committee was advised that United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust would be presenting its response to the CQC report at the next meeting of the Committee on 19 July 2017;

·         Progress of the CT scanner appeal in Louth.  Reference was made to the appeal, which had originally been for a CT scanner in Louth;

·         Funding Formula for Lincolnshire – The Committee was advised that the funding formula was set nationally.  A question was asked as to whether funding that was agreed was weighted demographically and whether those weightings were significant.  It was confirmed that CCGs commissioned services from providers and that they were paid for via contract and tariff arrangements.  Officers advised that there was a formula, which was weighted by population growth, morbidity and rurality.  A suggestion was made for a Lincolnshire voice to promote the needs of Lincolnshire as a rural County;

·         Recruitment – It was reported that recruitment was an issue in Lincolnshire; and confirmation was given that it was not the intention to recruit internationally again at the moment.  It was noted that work was being done to look at existing staff, their skill levels and job roles to see if delivery could be done better.  The Committee noted that there had been a growth in Pharmacy qualifications; and the Trust was very supportive of the Medical School University;

·         One member suggested that the Trust needed to promote its successes more;

·         Staff engagement in quality – It was reported that the culture of the organisation was tracked by the means of a staff survey.  It was noted that last time it was conducted there had been a 39% participation rate.  It was highlighted that safety of the patient was the number one priority;

·         One member enquired as to whether Lincolnshire procured on its own equipment or whether it was part of a national procurement scheme.  The Committee was advised that at the moment Lincolnshire did a mixture of both, but more could be done on what was being purchased.  It was reported that work was underway to standardise purchasing more internally;

·         Confirmation was given that outside expert advice was sought and was received when required;

·         The importance of voluntary organisations such as LIVES.  Working in conjunction LIVES was an extremely important partnership in rural communities;

·         The importance of growing our own nurses within Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that the Trust had a very good relationship with the University of Lincoln.  A question was asked as to why the hospital had not set up a nursing qualification.  It was reported that the Trust was unable to set up a programme as they were not an Accredited Body; and

·         The Sustainability and Transformation Plan and the potential effect for rural communities.  It was felt that moving services to specialised hospitals would not always be the nearest hospital, and as a result the cost of travel would be moved to the more vulnerable people within the community.  These impacts would be considered when formal proposals were put forward as part of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended thanks to the Chief Executive, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust for his presentation.

The Committee was advised that a hard copy of the presentation was available for them to have; and that an electronic copy would be emailed to them after the meeting.

RESOLVED

That the presentation on United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust be noted.