To consider any further comments from the Committee on the Healthier Together proposals. 

A summary of the consultation paper and the presentation given to the last meeting is attached. 

More information about Healthier Together can be found at https://healthiertogethergm.nhs.uk/

Following the presentation of the Healthier Together consultation at the Committee’s meeting on 23 July 2014, members had agreed to collate their views in advance of the September meeting to form a formal response on behalf of the Committee.

In relation to the consultation process, the Committee raised concerns in respect of complexity of the consultation and the rationality of the questioning. The Committee was also concerned that three hospitals had already been designated speciality status in advance of the consultation, pre-judging the outcome to a certain extent and limiting the range of options available. It was observed that the University Hospital of South Manchester was not one of the three hospitals that had been given speciality status, and given the clinical and geographical advantages of the hospital, sought assurances that due consideration would be given for these factors.

The Committee noted that the Healthier Together consultation was taking place at the same time as consultations in respect of the ‘New Health Deal’ and the South Sector Review, and submitted that an integrated approach to these consultations would have given a better opportunity for a more holistic view of the potentially very significant implications for local providers.

RESOLVED: The Committee agreed a number of key issues to be incorporated in to its final response to the consultation, and agreed that authority to finalise this be delegated to the officers in consultations with the Chair and Vice-Chair.

To receive a presentation on the Healthier Together proposals. 

A summary of the consultation paper is attached.  More information about Healthier Together can be found at https://healthiertogethergm.nhs.uk/

The Committee received a detailed presentation on the Healthier Together consultation process from Dr Jonathan Berry and Gina Lawrence of Trafford CCG. The Committee also received a copy of the consultation document.

The presentation set out the purpose of the consultation, an overview of the current thinking about the proposals to reconfigure services and work that has been on-going in Trafford. 

The presentation set out proposals for the services to be provided at general hospitals and those to be provided at a smaller number of specialist hospitals. Dr Berry stated that 8 options were being put forward and that decisions about the number and location of the specialist hospitals was still to be decided. The purpose of the consultation was to gather views on the proposals.

The Committee asked a number of questions about patient experience and services provided to residents of Trafford including integrated services, accident and emergency service provision and capacity to meet demand. Gina Lawrence and Dr Berry gave assurances that the proposals were intended to improve services and that they were clinically led.

The Committee asked questions about the South Sector review which seemed to be happening outside of the Healthier Together review. Gina Lawrence and Dr Berry said that any proposals arising from the South Sector review would align with the Healthier Together process and that any changes would be subject to consultation.  The Committee expressed concerns that the public would not be able to respond effectively to the consultation as they were unaware of the South Sector review.

The Committee were informed that the Greater Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee was acting as the Joint Committee for the purposes of consultation and that Councillor Young was the Council’s representative on the GM Committee. However, the Committee was free to make their own comments on the proposals.

The Chairman thanked Dr Berry and Gina Lawrence for their presentation and said that the Committee would consider the matter again at their September meeting.

RESOLVED – That the presentation be noted and that the matter be considered at the September meeting of the Committee.