To receive and if so determined, to approve as a correct record, the minutes of the last meeting of the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee held on 5 July, 2016. 

The Chair advised that he wished a matter to be recorded concerning developments which had occurred since the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee last met.  He advised that Councillor Patricia Young (Joint Committee Vice Chair), Councillor Joanne Harding (Trafford Health Scrutiny Chair) and himself had met with the NHS regarding the acceleration of their plans for the Urgent Care Centre in order to resolve issues at North Manchester General Hospital. He then read out two emails he had sent and requested that the emails be included within the minutes as a matter of public record.

The first email was dated 15 September 2016 addressed to all members (and substitute members) of the Joint Committee and read as follows:

“I am writing to you with this urgent information on behalf of Councillor Patricia Young (Joint Committee Vice Chair) Councillor Joanne Harding (Trafford Health Scrutiny Chair) and me.

As you know following the July meeting of the Joint Committee, we were expecting the NHS to put forward their plans for the next stage of the Trafford Urgent Care Centre at our next meeting.  It was agreed that this meeting would be on Tuesday 11 October.

On Tuesday morning we were asked for an urgent meeting with NHS managers and clinicians’ and we met them yesterday.  They explained that they had an urgent need to bring forward to Monday, 3 October the implementation of their plans for the Urgent Care Centre, in order to move the Consultants to the A&E Department at North Manchester General Hospital, a service which is in extreme difficulty.

We listened carefully to the case that was put, and asked various questions which were answered.  We were given certain assurances.  We asked for a succinct written briefing to be produced which we could circulate to the other seven members of the Joint Committee.

In these exceptional circumstances, the three of us agreed that we had no alternative but to agree to the proposals.  Please find attached the written briefing which explains the NHS proposals and includes the assurances we were given.  If I don’t hear otherwise from you by 12 noon tomorrow (Friday), I will assume that you are in agreement with our decision.

If you want to clarify anything from me, I can be emailed, or phoned. 

The Joint Committee meeting will go ahead on Tuesday 11 October at Manchester Town Hall with the main meeting at 6.30pm, preceded by a pre-meeting at 6pm.  This will give an opportunity to hear from the NHS with a progress report and for all joint Committee members to raise questions and comments”.

The second email was dated 16 September 2016 and addressed to all members (and substitute members) of the Joint Committee and read as follows:

“Thank you for your comments by email and phone.  Everyone has understood the situation we have been put in, and has accepted that we have no alternative but to agree to the proposals.

At our meeting on Wednesday, we argued with the NHS representatives about  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To note any declarations of interest.

The following personal interests were declared:

Councillors Haddad and Taylor declared personal interests as they were employed by the NHS outside of the Trafford and Manchester area.

To receive a report of the Deputy Chief Executive / Chief Operating Officer University Hospital of South Manchester (to follow).

David Hounslea, Estates and Facilities Director, University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) introduced the report across its main themes.  The Chair noted that the Single Hospital Service (SHS) would be discussed separately but sought assurance that there would be no further delays to the proposed new accident and emergency (A&E) department at Wythenshawe Hospital.  Stephen Gardner, Director of Strategic Programs, Central Manchester Foundation Trust (CMFT) and Matt Graham, Director of Strategy, University Hospital of South Manchester (UHSM) confirmed that the Single Hospital Service would not prevent or delay the redevelopment at Wythenshawe Hospital. 

A member asked for further information regarding the financial arrangements for the development and what proportion of public or private investment would be forthcoming.  Stephen Gardner said that Private Finance Initiative (PFI) partners were involved insofar as an extension to the hospital was built in conjunction with them in the 1990’s; and their permission had been sought to carry out further redevelopments.  Matt Graham confirmed that the only PFI related costs were around legal agreements and were insignificant compared to the cost of the build.  These legal agreements were known as a ‘deed of variation’ and did not entail renegotiating the entire contract.  The redevelopment would be publically funded. 

A member asked whether more car parking places would be provided to accommodate the additional pressure on the A&E.  Another member asked for further information on Stage 4 of the contract and asked who the organisation ‘Interserve’ were.  Matt Graham advised that additional parking had been provided to replace the small displacement caused by the works; but that as the scheme progressed there should be no further impact on the current capacity.  He added that Interserve were an approved contractor on the government framework for the NHS and had demonstrated a good track record of financial stability. 

Decision:

To note the report

To receive update reports on the New Health Deal for Trafford from representatives of Trafford CCG, UHSM and CMFT (to follow).

Members received a presentation from Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on the New Health Deal for Trafford.  Dr Nigel Guest thanked the members of the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee for their swift response to the need to accelerate progress in changes to the Urgent Care Centre (UCC) at Trafford due to issues identified at North Manchester General Hospital (NMGH).  Gina Lawrence explained they had been approached by the Health and Social Care Partnership in September to consider providing support to the Pennine Acute Trust by accelerating their model in order to release consultants. She explained the considerations which informed the decision and that clinical teams from all partner organisations were involved and all pathways had been worked through.  She added that a number of case studies had been considered consisting of various scenarios.  Gina Lawrence explained that the numbers attending in the evening over recent months had dropped considerably.  Clinicians agreed that the majority of patients attending in the evening could wait until the following day and Mastercall was available to pick up those patients that were more urgent.  Healthwatch had also carried out an independent audit which focussed on the patient voice and were satisfied that the requirements of their audit were met.  She added that had they not provided support to NMGH the fallout would have had a detrimental affect on all partners and letters of support had been provided from them which she could provide to the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee if required.

Dr Mark Jarvis, Trafford CCG gave an overview of developments since the new service went live on Monday 3 October 2016.  He explained that by Tuesday 4 October 2016 the new arrangements for the Walk in Centre were also fully operational. He commented that the staff were working well together and treating on average 180 patients per day.  He said that at the start of the week they were receiving approximately 5 people per evening after 8pm which dropped to three people per evening by Thursday.  Of the evening visitors they were either dealt with on the ward or re-directed elsewhere.      

In respect of the Single Hospital Service Stephen Gardener explained that the Programme Board were currently developing a Communications and Engagement Strategy and had identified key stakeholders including the Trafford Health Scrutiny Committee and the Manchester Health Scrutiny Committee.  He explained there were no specific implications for the New Health Deal for Trafford. 

A member welcomed the detail contained within the presentation.  Members discussed whether the name of the centre should change and enquired who held overall responsibility.  A member asked whether the public were confused about the service currently offered and whether this would impact on the numbers attending. A member sought assurance that the opening hours would remain stable.  Stephen Gardener responded that the centre was in principle under shared ownership.  Officers confirmed there were no plans to change the opening hours again at the present time.  Gina Lawrence advised that initial communications regarding the changes to opening hours had been  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.