Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T J N Smith, Mrs S Harrison (East Lindsey District Council) and G P Scalese (South Holland District Council).

It was noted that the Chief Executive, having received notice under Regulation 13 of the Local Government (Committee and Political Groups) Regulations 1990, had appointed Councillor P A Skinner to replace Councillor T J N Smith on the Committee for this meeting only.

An apology for absence was also received from Councillor Mrs S Woolley (Executive Councillor NHS Liaison, Community Engagement, Registration and Coroners).   

No declarations of members’ interest were received at this stage of the proceedings.

RESOLVED

That the minutes of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire meeting held on 15 June 2022 be agreed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

During consideration of this item, the Committee raised the following comments:

·       Some concern was raised regarding the rising number of Covid-19 cases.  The Health Scrutiny Officer agreed to obtain the latest Lincolnshire Covid-19 infection figures, and circulate the said data to Committee members following the meeting;

·       Concern was also expressed to the lack of water fluoridation in the eastern part of Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that this matter would be considered by the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee;

·       One member enquired whether the Committee would have the opportunity to comment on the Integrated Care Board/Partnership plans. It was reported that this would be something the Lincolnshire Health and Wellbeing Board would be involved in.  The Health Scrutiny Officer agreed to investigate the matter further.

RESOLVED

That the Chairman’s announcements as detailed on pages 17 to 22 of the report pack be noted.

(To receive a report from the Lincolnshire Integrated Care System (ICS), which provides the Committee with an update on the cancer programme and the Lincolnshire living with cancer programme.  Clair Raybould, Director for System Delivery, Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) Sarah-Jane Gray, Deputy Cancer Programme Manager, Lincolnshire ICB, Kathie McPeake, Macmillan Living with Cancer Programme Manager, Lincolnshire ICB, and Colin Farquharson, Medical Director (ICS Senior Responsible Officer for Cancer – ULHT will be in attendance for this item)) 

The Committee considered a report from the Lincolnshire Integrated Care System (ICS), which provided an update on the Cancer Programme and the Lincolnshire Living with Cancer Programme.

The Chairman invited the following presenters, to remotely present the item to the Committee: Clair Raybould, Director for System Delivery, Lincolnshire Integrated Care Board (ICB); Sarah-Jane Gray, Deputy Cancer Programme Manager, Lincolnshire ICB, and Kathie McPeake, McMillan Living with Cancer Programme Manager.

The presentation referred to:

·       System performance;

·       Benchmarking information;

·       Cancer Alliance support in Lincolnshire;

·       Governance Structure for the ICB;

·       Challenges and Opportunities for the cancer programme; Improvements made by – Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG), North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust (NWFT) and United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) in the cancer care programme;

·       Future work;

·       An overview of the Lincolnshire Living with Cancer programme; and

·       A short video of the Cancer Summit 2022.

During consideration of this item, the Committee made some of the following comments:

·       There was recognition that action was being taken to enhance cancer care in Lincolnshire, but some disappointment was expressed to Lincolnshire’s poor benchmarking performance in only achieving 55.0% against the measure for 62 day urgent GP referral to treatment.  Some concern was expressed that the management of cancer care seemed to be spread across too many parties with no-one taking overall control.  The Committee was advised that one of the biggest concerns was resources, and that recent recruitment drives had been more successful.  It was highlighted over the last three/four weeks there had been a wider system approach which had produced better results.  It was highlighted that 90% of patients on a cancer pathway did not always have cancer, and as a result significant numbers of patients came off the cancer care pathway.  There was recognition that the situation was a difficult one, but reassurance was given that significant improvements were being made not just locally, but nationally as well.  A request was made by one member for a further report in six months’ time to show the improvements being made;

·       Some concern was expressed that patients were unable to get appointments with GPs, and that when they did, some GPs were reluctant to perform some tests, for example, the test for prostate cancer.  The Committee was advised that there was no evidence to suggest that patients were unable to get to see their GP; and that the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) test would not be undertaken unless the patient had symptoms.  Some Committee members stressed that GP access was a massive issue and one that their electorate continually raised with them.  It was felt that access to GPs/primary care was a fundamental step in improving the process;

·       Robotic surgery and whether there were plans to extend the capacity.  It was reported that robotic surgery had been a success and that there was no reason that the provision would not be expanded further in the future;

·        A request was made for the return of mobile breast screening unit in the south of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

(To receive a report from the Lincolnshire People Board, which advises the Committee of the current challenges and opportunities to deliver on the People Plan for Lincolnshire.  Maz Fosh, Chief Executive, Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust and Ceri Lennon, Senior Responsible Officer for the Lincolnshire People Board will be in attendance for this item)

Consideration was given to a report from the Lincolnshire People Board, which advised the Committee of the current challenges and opportunities to deliver on the People Plan for Lincolnshire.

The Chairman invited the following presenters Ceri Lennon, Senior Responsible Officer for the Lincolnshire People (in person in the Chamber), Dr Adrian Tams, Associate Director of People, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), Dr Kevin Thomas, GP, Claire Low, Deputy Director of People ULHT, Amy Beeton, Deputy Director of People Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (LPFT) and Saumya Hebbar, Associate Director of People, Lincolnshire Integrated Care System (all attended remotely via Teams) to present the item to the Committee.

The presentation referred to:

·       Workforce challenges in Lincolnshire and the commitment of working together to find long-term sustainable solutions, building on the opportunities Covid-19 had presented, with regard to relationships across health and care;

·       The make-up of the Lincolnshire People Board and the ambition of senior people leaders in Lincolnshire to deliver the People Plan, a copy of which was attached at Appendix A to the report;

·       The formation of a People Hub, an innovative programme delivery arm of the People Team who were focussed on delivering the eight key priorities of the 2022/2023 Lincolnshire People Plan;

·       Attraction campaigns which included ‘Be Lincolnshire’, International recruitment (including the Refugee Doctor Programme);

·       The Primary Care Workforce Strategy;

·       The Rural and Coastal Transformation Programme; and

·       Retention and workforce planning.

During consideration of this item, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       The number of GPs working full time.  The Committee was advised that a lot more GPs now wished to work part-time.  It was also noted that part-time working was a retention tool to allow some GPs to semi-retire; and to allow others to have a more flexible approach to working;

·       Confirmation was received that the GP pension issue had not been resolved;

·       The need for more resources into primary care, to help alleviate the issue of patients being unable to access a GP appointment.  The Committee was advised of the short and medium plans within the Primary Care workforce strategy, details of which were shown on page 55 of the report pack;

·       The need for key performance indicators (KPI’s) or milestones against the initiatives proposed.  It was reported that some areas already had KPI’s and targets and that this information could be shared with the Committee.  The Committee noted that with the recently created People Hub, further KPI and milestone information would become available as delivery of the eight priorities for 2022/2023 progressed;

·       The need to have more attractive recruitment campaigns, for example, a video, to attract potential applicants and their families into Lincolnshire; and why were some applicants choosing other areas over Lincolnshire.  It was reported that the ‘Be Lincolnshire’ campaign promoted Lincolnshire as a great place to live and work.  It targeted those with young families, due to the excellent schools in the county; those fifty and above to come to Lincolnshire for their last career move prior to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

(To receive a report from Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, which provides an update on the progress of the Humber Acute Services Programme.  Ivan McConnell, Programme Director, Humber Acute Programme and Linsay Cunningham, Assistant Director Communications and Engagement, Humber Acute Programme will be in attendance for this item)   

The Committee considered a report from Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, which provided an update on the progress of the Humber Acute Services Programme.

The Chairman invited Ivan McConnell, Programme Director, Humber Acute Programme and Linsay Cunningham, Associate Director Communications and Engagement, Humber Acute Programme, to remotely present the item to the Committee.

The presentation referred to:

·       The programme overview with details of the challenges and opportunities;

·       Engagement information;

·       A summary of the findings of what mattered via the various methods of consultation;

·       Birthing choices - summary of the findings for the Humber;

·       A & E Survey – summary of the findings;

·       Summary of the findings for staff in the Humber area;

·       What was known so far with regard to existing services;

·       Programmes two and three, and the need for significant changes across the health and care system to enabled both programmes to be delivered;

·       Developing solutions; and

·       Conclusion and next steps. Page 144 of the report provided the Committee with a timeline and details of the next steps to be taken.

Attached to the report presented at Appendix A was a copy of a letter from the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire; Appendix B provided the Committee with details of the Humber Services Programme; and Appendix C provided briefing information for the Committee to consider.

During consideration of this item, the Committee raised some of the following comments:

·       What was Plan B, if some or all the funding from the New Hospitals Programme was not forthcoming (£720m); and when was it likely the outcome of the bid would be known.  It was reported that at the moment there was not a designated timeline as to when the outcome of the bid would be known.  It was highlighted that the national hospital programme had been delayed and that the earliest build time for Scunthorpe Hospital would be 2030 to 2035.  It was noted that not all the money was needed straight away, the £60 million already in hand would enable the required work for urgent and emergency care to be done.  The Committee was advised that one refurbished emergency department was due to open in the next month; and

·       Whether the Pre-Consultation Business Case, due to be completed in July 2022 would be available to the public.  Confirmation was given that the said document would be made available to the public.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the presenters.

RESOLVED

1.      That the Committee’s position, as set out in the Chairman’s letter of the 19 January 2022 be confirmed.

2.      That a further update be received at a later date when information on detailed proposals, including their impact in Lincolnshire, becomes available.

(To receive a report from Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, which invites the Committee to consider and comment on its forthcoming work programme)

The Chairman invited Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, to present the report, which invited the Committee to consider and comment on its work programme, as detailed on pages 146 to 148 of the report pack.

It was highlighted that due to the large number of items on the September agenda, the 14 September 2022 meeting was likely to be a full day meeting.

During consideration of this item, some concern was expressed to role of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire in scrutinising the plans of the Integrated Care Board concerning the provision of integrated care across Lincolnshire.  The Committee was advised that at this stage only minimal changes had been made to the Health and Care Act and that more changes were expected, which might assist the Committee in its role.

The possible inclusion of the Primary Care Network Alliance Annual report to the work programme for the 9 November 2022 meeting.

RESOLVED

That the Committee’s work programme as detailed on pages 146 to 148 of the repot pack be received, subject to the comments/suggestions made above and the items agreed at minute numbers 16(2), 17(2) and 18 (2).