Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Armstrong, Harker, Marshall, Porter, Pye, Raine, Stansfield
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2004 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. The notes of the presentation held on 16 January 2004 were noted
There were no declarations of interest.
The Sub Committee considered the Annual Report (for copy see file of Minutes).
That the report be approved.
The Sub Committee received a presentation from Edmund Lovell and Louise Robson of County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.
The Trust was formed in 2002 following the merger of the North Durham and South Durham Hospital Trusts. The Trust employs 5,700 and manages 1,500 beds. The three main hospitals are
· Bishop Auckland General Hospital
· Darlington Memorial Hospital
· University Hospital of North Durham.
The Trust is also responsible for a number of Community Hospitals.
During 2002/03 the Trust has dealt with 372,600 outpatients, 27,000 day cases, 81,000 inpatients and Accident and Emergency (A&E) treated 138,500 cases.
In terms of waiting lists, the waiting time of inpatients has been reduced. The Trust was on target for no one to be waiting more than 9 months and were cutting the number of people waiting over 6 months. The performance on outpatients has also improved and they are on target for no one to wait longer than 17 weeks for an appointment with a consultant. The number of people waiting more than 13 weeks is also being cut. Louise confirmed that work is commissioned with the private sector as and when necessary.
In relation to A&E performance the 90% target for dealing with patients within 4 hours was met across the Trust. An action plan will be put in place at each hospital to meet the target of 98% from January 2005. In response to questions, Edmund explained that the A & E admissions at University Hospital were under pressure in early January. A decision was taken to redirect GP and ambulance admissions to other hospitals. Any one reporting directly at A & E was offered treatment as were all those who were seriously ill. In addition on another occasion, after a chemical incident A & E was temporarily closed.
Changes to services are proposed at Homelands Hospital, South Moor Hospital and specialist urology services. Approximately 1600 urology patients will be treated at Sunderland as a result of increased specialisation, an increase in cancer treatment standards and the European Working Time Directive. Responding to Members concern about the provision of transport for patients and their families, Louise explained that more specialised clinics will be arranged at local hospitals and only those requiring specialised major procedures will have to travel to Sunderland.
It was confirmed tha t the Health Scrutiny Sub Committee will be formally consulted at a later stage.
A5 Tees Review - Presentation The Sub Committee received a presentation from Melanie Fordham and Anne Donnan about the Tees Review consultation process (for copy see file of Minutes).
Ian Mackenzie explained that the Tees review covered a wide geographical area of which parts of Easington and Sedgefield Districts are affected. The Health Scrutiny Committee has representation on a Joint Committee considering the review.
Ian reminded the Sub Committee that the effect on Easington is likely to be significant and that transport will be a major issue. The formal consultation process has yet to commence.
Councillor Burnip stressed the importance of the formal consultation being perceived as open and genuine if it is to be supported by the residents of Easington.
Resolved: That the presentation be noted.
A6 Homelands Hospital The Sub Committee received a presentation from Andrew Kenworthy, Chief Executive of Durham Dales PCT, on the proposals for Homelands Hospital Crook.
Andrew explained that at the present time Homelands Hospital has 20 beds used for the care of the elderly. The fabric of the building is very poor and only a small part of the building is actually used. Whilst the level of care provided by staff is considered excellent, it is felt to be an inappropriate facility in the modern NHS.
Currently the beds are used for up to 12 patients for recovery and respite care. At the present time there are no delayed discharges and use is reducing. Andrew stated that the funding used for Homelands would be reinvested into other community services including therapy, extra support, admissions into residential homes and alternative beds.
In response to a question about the provision of a new community hospital, Andrew explained that with a new general hospital at Bishop Auckland there was no demand and in any case it would divert funding away from other services.
A formal consultation exercise will be undertaken in the near future.
Resolved: That the presentation be noted.
A7 Other Primary Care Trust Issues Wynn Griffiths Chief Executive of Derwentside Primary Care Trust (PCT) gave the Sub Committee an update on issues within the Derwentside and Durham and Chester le Street PCT’s.
Resources are being invested in A & E and cardiac services. Following the introduction of the new GP contract on 1 April 2004 the PCT’s will be introducing new local enhanced services. Approximately £1.1m of extra money will be spent in Derwentside. As a result of improvements to primary services it was expected that patients would be able to see a GP within two days and have access to a nurse or physiotherapist within one day.
The Sub Committee was reminded that the position with the out of hour’s service has to be resolved by December 2004. The present GP co-operative arrangements will end on 1 July 2004 and the PCT’s will take over responsibility. New shift patterns will be introduced from 1 September and a mixed skill arrangement will be used (ie doctors/nurse practitioners) to provide the out of hour’s service.
Wynn Griffiths referred to the proposals for South Moor Hospital and Stanley. A meeting had recently taken place with Derwentside District Council to discuss the future of South Moor Hospital. At the present time South Moor Hospital provides local X-ray facilities, outpatient clinics and 20 beds, 15 of which are funded by the Social Services Department for clients awaiting residential care or a nursing home. The care is considered excellent but the environment is not considered to be appropriate. It was proposed to provide a new facility close to the centre of Stanley. This will provide existing GP services, a new X-ray facility, space for a walk in centre and a GP special interest local centre. This will need a large building and at present 15 sites are on the shortlist close to the centre of town.
Responding to a question about the use of the beds at South Moor Hospital to prevent bed blocking, Wynn Griffiths explained that most of the beds were currently being used for patients who had been physically ill and were recovering. Alternative provision in nursing home accommodation could be used if there is demand. He advised that public consultation will take place in the future and the Sub Committee will be formally consulted.
A8 Consultation - Closure of GP Sessions at Quarrington Hill The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the outcome of a consultation exercise undertaken by the Durham and Chester le Street PCT about the proposed closure of GP sessions at Quarrington Hill Community Centre (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A9 Development of Adult Mental Health Services in the North of Durham The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the development of adult mental health services in the north of Durham (for copy see file of Minutes).
Harry Cronin updated the Sub Committee on the consultation process and advised that all the public consultation meetings had been completed. It was expected that a fully functioning crisis resolution service would be operational by April 2005. Wynn Griffith advised that patients would prefer the location of the new centre to be close to a general hospital. In response to members concerns about the loss of a local service, Harry Cronin explained that the Allensford Unit would not be closing but its use will change. Patients who are referred will receive their initial treatment at the new facility and will be transferred to their local centre at the appropriate time.
A further presentation about the consultative process will be given to the Sub Committee.
Resolved: That the report and update be noted.
A10 Minding the Gap: Mental Health Provision for 16-25 Year Olds and Their Carers - Scrutiny Report The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny and a presentation from Councillor E Hunter about the Scrutiny Report ‘Minding the Gap: Mental Health Provision for 16-25 Year Olds and Their Carers’ (for copy see file of Minutes).
Harry Cronin advised that the report had been discussed by the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust and they were considering how to implement the reports recommendations. Councillor Hunter informed the Sub Committee that a conference on mental health issues is to be held at County Hall on 11 May 2004.
Resolved: That the report and recommendations be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.
A11 The Wanless Report: Securing Good Health for the Whole Population The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the Wanless Report: Securing Good Health for the Whole Population (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A12 Government Consultation on Public Health - Choosing Health ? The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the Government Consultation on Public Health - Choosing Health ? (for copy see file of Minutes).
Members asked that the information detailed within the fact sheets be given further publicity.
Resolved: 1. That the report be noted.
2. That the Head of Overview and Scrutiny be authorised to respond on behalf of the Sub Committee
A13 Complaints about the National Health Service The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about how complaints against the National Health Service should be handled (for copy see file of Minutes).
Members asked that the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement be invited to a future meeting to give feedback on their work.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A14 Centre for Public Scrutiny The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the first meeting of the Scrutiny Practitioners Forum (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A15 Scrutiny Projects and Work Programme The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the work programme of the Sub Committee (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the work programme be noted.
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