Agenda item

(To receive a report which provides a clinical and strategic update to the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire on the activities of the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which manages Peterborough City Hospital, and Stamford and Rutland Hospital, as well as Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon. Caroline Walker - Chief Executive, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust)

The Chairman invited Caroline Walker, Chief Executive North West Anglian NHS Foundation Trust, to remotely present the report to the Committee.

The Committee was advised that the report provided a clinical and strategic update on the activities of the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust, which managed Peterborough City Hospital, and Stamford and Rutland Hospital, as well as Hinchingbrooke Hospital in Huntingdon.

The update made reference as to how the Trust had adapted and responded to manage patient care during the Covid-19 pandemic.  It was noted that patients requiring treatment for Covid-19 were being cared for in dedicated 'red' areas at Peterborough City and Hinchingbrooke Hospitals.  The Trust had maintained 'green' status at its Stamford and Rutland Hospital site, where outpatient and day care services continued as normal alongside the John Van Geest in patient ward.

It was reported that the Trust were supporting their staff, regularly reminding them of the range of services available to them to help with their emotional wellbeing; and that the Trust had held a week-long focus on staff health and wellbeing in mid-August to further support colleagues.

The Committee was made aware of the Stamford and Rutland Redevelopment; the impact of the shortage of midwifery staff, which had resulted in the temporary suspension of the Trust's home birth service.  It was hoped that the service would be resuming during September; and the Urgent and Emergency Care Reconfiguration at Peterborough City Hospital. 

During consideration of the report, the Committee raised the following comments:

·       Return of mobile breast screening.  The Committee was advised that during the pandemic the service had been centralised to the Peterborough City Hospital; and that it was the intention to keep the service on the Peterborough site;

·       Whether there was scope for expansion of primary care on the Stamford Site.  The Committee noted that there was no plan at the moment for Lakeside to expand on to the site.  It was noted however, that there had been interest from a company to develop a nursing home on an unused part of the site;

·       What plans were in place to reduce A&E waiting times at Peterborough Hospital.  The Committee was advised that discussions had been undertaken with the two ambulance services, so as to avoid too many ambulances arriving all at the same time, which would improve the ambulance waiting time.  The reconfiguration of urgent and emergency care at Peterborough City Hospital had provided an integrated front door for all urgent care needs for the Greater Peterborough community.  This had now enabled clinical staff to assess patients quickly and start them on the most appropriate pathway for their care;

·       Whether the Trust had any major plans for development in the coming year.  Reference was made to the development of the Hinchingbrooke Site; improving patient flow through the hospital; and the reconfiguration of neighbourhood work with GP's;

·       What the current level of staff vacancies was across the Trust and the Trust's recruitment plan.  The Committee was advised that the vacancy rate was currently at 5%.  It was noted that the Trust had hard to recruit areas for example maternity.  The Committee was advised further that the Trust had managed to recruit 20 midwifes.  It was highlighted that nurse vacancies were at the lowest in the region.  It was noted that the Trust worked hard to support staff with their health and wellbeing; and the Trust encouraged talent management, which had helped retain staff;

·       A request was made for the Committee to view the Trusts two year recovery plan.  The Committee was advised that once the plan was completed, the Trust was happy to share with members of the Committee.

On behalf of the Committee the Chairman extended thanks to Caroline for her presentation.

RESOLVED

1.      That the information presented by North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust be noted and that thanks be extended to all the staff at the Trust for their efforts in response to the Covid-19 pandemic over the last year.

2.      That a further update on the North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust be received in 12 months.