Agenda item

Media Issues

Minutes:

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer provided the Committee with a presentation of the following press articles relating to the remit of the Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

 

·        20 NHS building projects given green light – BBC Website 5 August 2019 -  Boris Johnson has given the green light to 20 new building and infrastructure projects in the NHS in England. The £850m package will pay for new wards, intensive care units and diagnostic centres as well as refurbishing some existing facilities over the next five years. Mr Johnson also said there would be an extra £1bn this year to improve and maintain existing buildings. The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals - £41.7m to improve paediatric cardiac services in the North East.

 

·        Review of mental health services under scrutiny by Darlington councillors – Northern Echo 26 August 2019 - Plans to make changes to crisis mental health services are due to be scrutinised by councillors next week. Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust is looking to create a single crisis service across its area and close a house specifically used for people whose mental health needs urgent treatment.

 

·        Why Durham health chiefs have been asked to join 'Path to Excellence' efforts for Sunderland and South Tyneside hospitals – Sunderland Echo  2 August 2019 - Representatives from County Durham could join efforts to scrutinise a major overhaul of NHS services in Sunderland and South Tyneside. Sunderland City Council and South Tyneside Council formed a Joint Health Scrutiny Committee in 2017 to examine the controversial Path to Excellence scheme. The first phase of this covered changes to stroke, maternity and paediatric care at South Tyneside Hospital and Sunderland Royal Hospital. Since last year (2018) care chiefs have been carrying out ‘pre consultation’ work on the second phase, covering areas such as surgery, scans and blood tests.

 

·        Major health projects are at risk despite spending pledge – Northern Echo 7 August 2019 - Concerns have been raised over funding for existing plans to upgrade two community hospitals, despite promises of a £1.8 billion cash injection for health services. A spending review may jeopardise plans to replace the accident and emergency unit at University Hospital North Durham, in Durham City, as well as the replacement of Shotley Bridge Hospital, near Consett, with a new purpose-built facility.

 

Laura Pidcock, MP was concerned that this would have a cumulative effect and cause significant worry for her constituents.  In terms of Shotley Bridge Hospital she asked what representations had been made to the Secretary of State regarding the capital spend.  She went on to say that there was a conflict between the announcement and suspension and asked what contingency plans were in place for Shotley Bridge Hospital.  She said that people were aware that the hospital was not fit for purpose and asked what services would be delivered from the site.   She was concerned as to how the money would be found if capital was no longer available from central government.  She added that the local people deserved a new health facility especially as no upgrade to the University Hospital of Durham (UHND) was expected and the closure of urgent care at Stanhope was also a concern, especially in terms of transport.  There were significant concerns in the Dales as the out of hours hub was not accessible for anyone.  She concluded that all recent significant changes to health services had been negative and she asked that damaging decisions such as this one be put on hold.

 

The Director of Commissioning Strategy and Delivery, North Durham and DDES CCGs  explained that on 7 May 2019 a letter was sent to all NHS provider trusts to ask them to make a 20% reduction in capital spend and to prioritise schemes.  An announcement was made in relation to capital investments and on 2 July 2019 a further letter was sent asking for that the reduction to be made was 3% and for trusts to work collaboratively to achieve the 20%.  Funding for Shotley Bridge Hospital had been earmarked for 2021 as funding would need to be in place to proceed.  Last month a letter to NHS trusts reversed the reduction in capital spending and this would have no impact on UHDN or Shotley Bridge Hospital issues.  With regards to UHND no business case had been approved as they did not have enough of their own capital to proceed and therefore there would no changes.  For Shotley Bridge clarity around funding would be required before proceeding with a business case.  The plan was to look at the options and report back to Scrutiny in January 2020.

 

Councillor Alex Watson was concerned as the money for Shotley Bridge Hospital was reported to be secured in March 2019, this was then changed to earmarked.  The engagement process had been conducted and independent analysis was carried out to look at all of the data and come up with proposals.  He said that it was important for a new community hospital to be built for the residents of Consett and across the region.

 

The Director of Commissioning and Delivery explained that a report was scheduled to come back to this committee in October detailing the key findings from the pre-consultation stakeholder engagement activity undertaken earlier in the year following discussions with the reference group.  She assured members that there were no changes to the services at Shotley Bridge Hospital and she was aware of the structural issues with the building.  She added that the CCG were grateful for any representations that the committee and local councillors wanted to make on their behalf.

 

Councillor Temple asked for some clarity as the A&E department at UHND where the project was restored to where it was before the 20% cuts were required and Shotley Bridge Hospital being in a different position as it was subject to  a different funding mechanism.  The Director of Commissioning and Delivery confirmed that they were two separate issues and Shotley Bridge depended upon receiving capital funding.  The capital for the project was covered under the NHS Property Services.  Councillor Temple went on to say that it had been publicly stated that funding for Shotley Bridge Hospital was secured when in fact it should have been reported that that it was merely intended, and he felt cheated by that.  He hoped that the CCG would ensure funding became available and secured moving forward.

 

·        Middlesbrough: West Lane Hospital rated 'Inadequate' by CQC – Northern Echo 21 August 2019 - A north-east mental health hospital has been rated 'Inadequate' following the deaths of two young patients in the last several weeks. In its most recent inspection, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated West Lane Hospital in Middlesbrough as Inadequate overall.

 

Councillor Grant suggested that TEWV come back to a future meeting to explain what was happening in terms of support and placements for those young people affected as the hospital closed.  The Director of Operations Durham and Darlington, Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Trust said that further calls were taking place with NHS England as the hospital site was not completely closed as they were still finding suitable placements.  He added that the home treatment and crisis service had been extended so that further support in the community would be available when the hospital did close.  Options would be discussed at a later date as to whether the hospital could re-open with a new service model and staffing structure.  The Medical Director had recently attended a scrutiny meeting at Hartlepool and it was suggested that he also attend a future meeting in Durham.  He added that the service would continue to liaise with Children’s Services in Durham to ensure safeguarding for the young people at West Lane Hospital.

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