Agenda item

(To receive a report from United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT), which enables the Committee to consider the progress made by the ULHT in its restoration and recovery following the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.  Senior representatives from ULHT will be in attendance for this item)

The Committee was advised that item 5 could be found on pages 27 to 70 of the report pack.

The Vice-Chairman invited Mark Brassington, Director of Improvement and Integration and Deputy Chief Executive, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) and Simon Evans, Chief Operating Officer, ULHT to present the report to the Committee.

At the 17 June 2020 meeting, the Committee had requested a further update from (ULHT) on the progress made on restoration and recovery following the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Detailed at Appendix A to the report was a copy of a report to United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust Board of Directors (1 September 2020) – ULHT Covid-19 recovery Phase Update – Progress Summary; and Appendix B provided a copy of a report to the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Board of Directors (7 July 2020) – ULHT Covid -19 Restore Phase Update – Progress Summary.

The Committee was advised that since 1 August 2020, the Trust was in Phase 3 - Recovery.  Details of targets set for the recovery of capacity levels were shown within the report.  The Committee noted Phase three planning had been split into 3 high levels, which were accelerating the return to near-normal levels of non-Covid health services; preparing for winter pressures, alongside continuing vigilance in light of further probable spikes; and taking into account lessons learnt from the first Covid peaks.

It was noted that the Trust's response to diagnostic recovery had been positive, with particular progress being made in endoscopy and radiology.  The Committee also noted that planned care waiting lists had continued to plateau after a period of decrease in the Restore Phase.

It was reported that cancer recovery had been positive.  It was noted that the Trust had met its objectives of reducing patients waiting times; the objective more than 62 days for treatment had been reduced by 20% by the 21 August 2020.  However, it was highlighted that patients waiting more than 103 days objective had not been met, but significant progress had been made in reducing the waiting list by more than 60%. 

It was highlighted that the Grantham 'green' site model continued to deliver an important part of the restoration of services as both cancer and planned care waiting lists had been reduced.  The Committee was advised that the Trust had conducted 680 operations for vulnerable patients to date.  It was also highlighted that some patients were still reluctant to return to access services, as they were not confident of their personal safety.

The Committee noted that the Trust had only had 14 days when there had been zero Covid-19 patients.

The Chief Operating Officer provided the Committee with an update on the progress made in restoring services to pre-Covid levels, full details of the Trusts Restore Phase response was contained within Appendix B to the report.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following points:

·         Congratulations were extended to the Trust and their team for all their hard work in reducing the cancer waiting list;

·         Clarification was sought as to when the Grantham 'green' site would revert back to being a UTC (A&E).  The Committee was advised that the provision was for a time limited period; and that the Trust Board would be meeting in October to review the impact of the 'green' site arrangement. 

·         Clarification was also sought as to when it was hoped to restore medical beds to Grantham Hospital.  The Committee was advised that all facets of the changes made as at the Grantham site would be reviewed, and restoring medical beds would form part of that review;

·         Reassurance was sought as to whether the Trust was prepared for returning to a level four situation.    The Committee was advised that level 4 preparedness had already started; 

·         Covid-19 testing for staff, including critical staff.  The Committee was advised that staff at ULHT were tested as part of 'Pillar 1', which unlike the 'Pillar 2' community-focused testing, was not experiencing delays in the return of test results;

·         When research trials would be re-commencing.  The Committee noted that some trials had been stopped however, two large scale projects were now up and running; and

·         New ways of working and the need for enhanced data and digital provision across health trusts. The Committee noted that all systems had to develop a local people plan to ensure that staff were kept healthy, offered flexible working; that inequalities were addressed; that news ways of working were adopted, which made use of people's skills and experience; and that the Trust grows its own workforce; taking into consideration workforce planning and transformation.  There was recognition that digitally the Trust had struggled, mainly due the financial costs of an electronic patient record system.  It was noted that some money had been assigned to start the process.  It was however noted further that Covid-19 had provided the opportunity for the Trust to deliver its services in different ways.  It was reported that 60% of outpatients appointments had been delivered digitally, or by telephone; and that this would be continued to provide a better service. 

The Vice-Chairman extended thanks on behalf of the Committee for the optimistic update.

RESOLVED

1.    That support be extended for the Trust's restoration and recovery to date of diagnostic, cancer treatment and planned care.

2.    That the intention for a full review of the Grantham Hospital 'green' site, which was due to be considered by United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust Board on 6 October 2020, be noted.  

3.    That a report be received from the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust at the 14 October 2020 meeting, on its review of the Grantham Hospital 'green' site

4.    That a further general update on Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust on its recovery from Covid-19 be received at its 16 December 2020 meeting.