This Council welcomes the Government’s ground-breaking decision in February to devolve healthcare to Greater Manchester (“GM”) and, as a result, the announcement (amongst other proposals) of plans to introduce 7 day GP access across the whole of GM.

The Council notes the decision of the Committees in Common (“CiC”) on 17 June (as a part of the ‘Healthier Together’ proposals) to commission 4 rather than 5 hospitals in Greater Manchester that will specialise in general surgery and emergency medicine for patients with life threatening conditions. It also notes (i) that Salford Royal, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS FT (“CMFT”) and Royal Oldham have already been earmarked as specialist providers in this regard; and (ii) that a new partnership working arrangement has been entered into between University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM) and CMFT.

Doubt now remains in relation to future service provision at UHSM, albeit it is understood that a further decision of the CiC is due on 15^th July (the date of tonight’s Council meeting) in this regard.

It is vital that residents continue to have close access to emergency, high-risk services and this Council is concerned that this continues for everyone who lives in Trafford.

This Council therefore calls upon NHS commissioners to:

1. fully explain how changes under Healthier Together will benefit Trafford residents; and

2. to meaningfully engage with Trafford Council and Health Scrutiny in this regard.

This Council in return pledges to consider, debate and respond to the Healthier Together proposals in a constructive and collaborative manner reflecting considered, evidence based decision making in the new devolved health and social care environment.

(Note 1: Councillor Williams advised the Council of an alteration to the Motion for which he had given notice and proceeded with the altered Motion with the consent of the meeting.

Note 2: Councillor D. Western declared a personal interest in this item due to her employment at University Hospital of South Manchester and remained in the meeting during consideration of the matter.)

It was moved and seconded that:

“This Council welcomes the Government’s ground-breaking decision in February to devolve healthcare to Greater Manchester (“GM”) and, as a result, the announcement (amongst other proposals) of plans to introduce 7 day GP access across the whole of GM.

The Council notes the decision of the Committees in Common (“CiC”) on 17 June (as a part of the ‘Healthier Together’ proposals) to commission 4 rather than 5 hospitals in Greater Manchester that will specialise in general surgery and emergency medicine for patients with life threatening conditions. It also notes (i) that Salford Royal, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (“CMFT”) and Royal Oldham have already been earmarked as specialist providers in this regard; and (ii) that a new partnership working arrangement has been entered into between University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM) and CMFT.

It is vital that residents continue to have close access to emergency, high-risk services and this Council is concerned that this continues for everyone who lives in Trafford.

Following the decision of the CiC today not to designate UHSM as the lead provider for the fourth single service, this Council notes that commissioners have advised the Leader and Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing that:

i.      the decision will only impact on adult patients who require high risk (emergency) general surgery;

ii.      that intensive care support for specialised or tertiary services such as cardiac surgery will continue;

iii.     that UHSM will still be able to look after high risk adult patients in emergency medicine; and

iv.     that UHSM’s position as a teaching hospital with 18 specialities including (amongst others) heart and lung, burns and plastics and vascular surgery will continue.

In the light of today’s decision, this Council calls upon NHS commissioners to:

i.      Confirm the assurances outlined above;

ii.      fully explain how changes under Healthier Together will benefit Trafford residents who require high risk emergency surgery; and

iii.     to engage with Trafford Council and Health Scrutiny in this regard.

This Council in return pledges to consider, debate and respond to the Healthier Together decision in a constructive and collaborative manner reflecting considered, evidence based decision making in the new devolved health and social care environment.”

It was moved and seconded as an amendment that paragraph 4 be replaced with the following:

“Council acknowledges the decision of the CiC today not to designate UHSM as the lead provider for the fourth single service. Council is extremely disappointed by this decision and opposes it as not in the best interests of Trafford Residents. However, this Council notes that commissioners have advised the Leader and Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing that:

                 i.            the decision will only impact on adult patients who require high risk (emergency) general surgery;

               ii.            that intensive care support for specialised or tertiary services such as cardiac surgery will continue;

              iii.            that UHSM will still be able to look after high risk adult patients in emergency medicine; and

             iv.            that UHSM’s position as a teaching hospital with 18 specialities including (amongst others) heart and lung, burns and plastics and vascular surgery will continue.”

Following a debate on the matter, the amendment was put to the vote and declared lost. The substantive Motion was then put to the vote and declared carried.

RESOLVED: That this Council welcomes the Government’s ground-breaking decision in February to devolve healthcare to Greater Manchester (“GM”) and, as a result, the announcement (amongst other proposals) of plans to introduce 7 day GP access across the whole of GM.

The Council notes the decision of the Committees in Common (“CiC”) on 17 June (as a part of the ‘Healthier Together’ proposals) to commission 4 rather than 5 hospitals in Greater Manchester that will specialise in general surgery and emergency medicine for patients with life threatening conditions. It also notes (i) that Salford Royal, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (“CMFT”) and Royal Oldham have already been earmarked as specialist providers in this regard; and (ii) that a new partnership working arrangement has been entered into between University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust (UHSM) and CMFT.

It is vital that residents continue to have close access to emergency, high-risk services and this Council is concerned that this continues for everyone who lives in Trafford.

Following the decision of the CiC today not to designate UHSM as the lead provider for the fourth single service, this Council notes that commissioners have advised the Leader and Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Community Wellbeing that:

i.      the decision will only impact on adult patients who require high risk (emergency) general surgery;

ii.      that intensive care support for specialised or tertiary services such as cardiac surgery will continue;

iii.     that UHSM will still be able to look after high risk adult patients in emergency medicine; and

iv.     that UHSM’s position as a teaching hospital with 18 specialities including (amongst others) heart and lung, burns and plastics and vascular surgery will continue.

In the light of today’s decision, this Council calls upon NHS commissioners to:

i.      Confirm the assurances outlined above;

ii.      fully explain how changes under Healthier Together will benefit Trafford residents who require high risk emergency surgery; and

iii.     to engage with Trafford Council and Health Scrutiny in this regard.

This Council in return pledges to consider, debate and respond to the Healthier Together decision in a constructive and collaborative manner reflecting considered, evidence based decision making in the new devolved health and social care environment.