Agenda item

(To receive a report from Simon Evans, Health Scrutiny Officer, which provides the Committee with an update on the progress of the Humber Acute Services Review Programme.  Ivan McConnell, Programme Director, Claire Hansen, Programme Director – Interim Clinical Plan, Linsay Cunningham, Associate Director Communications and Engagement and Steven Courtney, Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Manager will be in attendance for this item)

The Chairman invited Ivan McConnell, Programme Director, Claire Hansen, Programme Director – Interim Clinical Plan, Linsay Cunningham, Associate Director Communications and Engagement and Steven Courtney, Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement Manager, to remotely present the item to the Committee.

The Committee received a presentation which referred to the Humber Acute Services Programme Overview; the engagement undertaken to date with regard to the Humber Acute Services Review and an evaluation of the information received; the current situation with regard to Acute Services and what needed to change, and the steps that needed to be taken to put forward potential options on what hospital care might look like in the future.

Appendix A to the report presented also provided the Committee with further detailed information relating to the Humber Acute Services Review.

The Committee was advised that consultation with the public and other key stakeholders was due to commence in the Spring of 2022.

During consideration of this item, the Committee were asked to identify any specific aspects where further or more detailed information might be required; and to provide feedback on how they would like to be engaged over the next phase of the programme; and to determine any other specific future scrutiny activity at this time. 

During discussion, the Committee raised some of the following comments: -

·       The honesty of the presentation which highlighted the potential challenges for residents in northern Lincolnshire;

·       Whether residents in East Lindsey would be consulted on the potential changes.  The Committee was advised that the next step in the process was for a further report to be brought back to the Committee early in 2022, which would provide a plan of action for the consultation, and would be seeking the views of the Committee on the proposed consultation plan;

·       Some concern was raised regarding the level of deterioration of buildings and equipment;

·       Staffing levels – It was highlighted that some services were just managing to deliver services now.  However, it was highlighted that 30% of staff would be eligible to retire within the next five to ten years, and therefore it was imperative that plans were made for workforce changes now.  Confirmation was given that currently 90% of staff had been vaccinated against Covid-19;

·       The impact of any changes on the ambulance service, and residents on the east coast;

·       Further details were sought regarding page 78, paragraph 72 of the report, which referred to an expression of interest for £720 million as part of the new hospital programme.  The Committee was advised that the bid was one of three in the region which had been prioritised, the outcome of which would be known by 6 March 2022.  If the bid was unsuccessful, other options for securing finance were being considered;

·       Whether the lack of support by mothers for a stand-alone midwifery-led unit, had ruled out the developing any option including a stand-alone midwifery unit.  It was noted that nothing had been ruled out.  The feedback received would be reflected on and considered further along with the views of service users;

·       What feed had been received from staff regarding the possibility of moving to a single workforce across the two trusts.  It was reported that the feedback from staff had varied and that views of staff had been mapped, to ensure a better understanding of the views raised;

·       The working arrangements with neighbouring CCGs and health trusts regarding the proposed plans.  The Committee was advised that arrangements were in place to share information with neighbouring health systems;

·       The impact that the proposed acute services review programme would have on the residents of Lincolnshire and whether plans were in place to mitigate this. The Committee were advised that at the moment it was not possible to answer the question as it was too early in the process, as it was not known what the options would be.  It was highlighted that when the options were put out public consultation, the public would then have the opportunity to respond; and

·       Appreciation was given to the presenters for the quality of the research information and for the figures presented in the report/presentation.

The Chairman on behalf of the Committee extended his thanks to the representatives for their presentation and for the quality of the information provided.

RESOLVED

1.      That the details presented in the report and appendices, including the reasons for change, the work undertaken to date and the next steps as part of the Humber Acute Service Programme be noted.

2.      That the intention to complete a Pre-Consultation Business Case in early 2022 for the Humber Acute Service Programme, with the aim of formally consulting on potential clinical models with the public and other stakeholders in Spring 2022 be noted.

3.      That current legislative framework governing statutory consultation with local authorities in relation to NHS reconfiguration proposals, recognising existing health scrutiny arrangements and provisions may change as the current Health and Care Bill (2021) is enacted and becomes law be noted.

4.      That a formal response be prepared for approval at the next meeting of the Committee which would

(a)    identify the aspects where further detailed information is required; and

(b)   state how the Committee would like to be engaged over the next phase of the programme.

5.      That a further update be provided to the Committee in six months’ time unless there is a need for consideration before then.