Agenda item

Children and Young Persons Services at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust - Update

(To receive a report from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), which provides the Committee wih an update on Children and Young Persons Services. Senior representatives from ULHT, will be in attendance for this item)

Minutes:

Consideration was given to a report from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust which provided an update on the provision of children and young people's services.

 

Jan Sobieraj, Chief Executive, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust and Dr Neill Hepburn, Medical Director, United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust were in attendance for this item.

 

The Committee was reminded of the temporary model of care that had been implemented on 6 August 2018, details of which were shown on page 106 of the report presented.

 

The Committee was updated on the performance of the interim model over the first four months of operation, the number of transfers completed, the activity taken place on each site; the issues encountered; and the actions undertaken to resolve those issues; and the importance of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) Independent Review Report.  It was highlighted that the Royal College had been supportive of the work that had been done and of the measures proposed.

 

The following Appendices supported the report:

 

·            Appendix A – A copy of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust – Paediatrics (Service Design review by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health – 9 October 2018); and

·            Appendix B – A copy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust – RCPCH Action Plan.

 

Note: Councillor Mrs K Cook advised the Committee that she was a patient; and on the governing body of Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

 

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:-

 

·            The up-skilling of doctors recruited from overseas.  The Committee was advised that doctors recruited from overseas tended to come into post at a junior level; training would then be given to help develop them to function at a middle grade doctor level.  It was noted that unfortunately, due to differing practices and procedures abroad, some doctors did not meet the necessary competences required;

·            Some concerns were expressed relating to the public perception of services; particular reference was made to the fears amongst expectant women having babies at Boston, including a reference to the impending night closure of the paediatric assessment unit.  Confirmation was given to the Committee that there was no plan for the overnight closure of the paediatric assessment unit.  The unit was open 24/7; and that feedback received from families had indicated that the service was now operating better.  There was an understanding from the Trust representatives present that communicating the message to the public concerning the interim model could have been better;

·            One member expressed concern to the risks associated with an increase in home birth rates to 10% and midwife led care to 40%.  The Committee was advised that the national drive for mid-wifery-led care was all about giving expectant women choice; and that in Lincolnshire it was about creating the right choice for them and their baby.  Confirmation was given that in Lincolnshire there was an ambition to increase the rate of home births from 2.5% to 5%.  It was noted that a home birth would only be offered in situations when it was safe to do so;

·            Confirmation was sought as to whether the vacant Clinical Director post had been filled.  The Committee was advised that the Clinical Director post had been filled; and that that work was on-going to develop and up-skill the workforce;

·            Members welcomed the progress made at Appendix B – United Lincolnshire NHS Trust - RCPCH Report Action Plan.  A request was made for the Committee to be able to view the questions received from service users.  A question was also asked whether trade unions were asked to input in to the Communication Strategy.  Confirmation was given that views were sought from trade unions and other organisations;

·            Page 155 – Paragraph 6.3.5 A request was made to ensure that recommendations were clear and concise;

·            Page 107 – A question was asked in relation to Impact on Patients whether there were any comparison figures.  Confirmation was given that since the introduction of the interim model, no patient safety incidents had been experienced or reported.  It was highlighted that unfortunately, there was no available data to say what had happen previously;

·            A question was asked whether CCGs and the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership were likely to take on board the recommendation from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health which urged working with CCGs to look at opportunities to expand children's services at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston rather than contracting them.  The Committee was advised that representatives present had not received a formal response; and the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership was in particular focusing on the sustainability of services;

·            Whether the interim model for children and young people services at Pilgrim Hospital, Boston ED would be able to continue.  The Committee was advised that the interim model would continue;

·            What the dates and locations were for the meetings in Spalding and Skegness.  It was agreed that these would be made available to the Committee;

·            What action had been taken to minimise the disruption to families having to attend Lincoln.  The Committee was advised that some engagement with families had taken place which had resulted in some support actions.  Also, feedback from other voluntary organisations had helped the Trust develop their required skill sets; and

·            One member asked if some details could be provided around the on-going complaint referred to in the report.  The Committee was advised that this information would be shared with the Committee.

 

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee thanked the ULHT representatives for their update on children and young people services.

 

RESOLVED

 

1.      That the report of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, and the action of ULHT in response be noted.

 

2.      That a further update from ULHT on Children and Young People Services be received by the Committee at the 20 March 2019 meeting, to include risk analysis.

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