(i) Momentum Project – David Gallagher, Director of Unplanned Care Lead/Locality Director, NHS CDD and Carole Langrick, Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Strategic Development, North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust
(ii) Single Number for Urgent Care (111) Pilot – David Gallagher, Director of Unplanned Care/Locality Director, NHS CDD and Berenice Groves, Programme Director, NHS 111 Service North East, NHS CDD
(iii) Overview and Scrutiny Review Mental Health Services for Older People in South Durham and Darlington – Mary Bewley, Head of Communications and Involvement/ Catherine Parker, Commercial Lead – Mental Health NHS CDD
Minutes:
(i) Momentum Project
The Committee received a presentation from Carole Langrick, Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Strategic Development, North Tees and Hartlepool Foundation Trust that provided an update on the Momentum Project (for copy of slides see file of Minutes).
The vision of the Project was to deliver ‘A patient centred and clinically driven local NHS responsive to the needs of local people, delivering the best quality care available in an integrated and efficient way, in first rate facilities as close to home as possible by well trained professionals using state of the art knowledge and equipment.’
In response to a question from Councillor Burn regarding the location of the proposed new hospital, it was confirmed that this would be on land that had already been purchased ay Wynyard. Public Dividend Capital had been awarded for the project some 18 months ago, but was subsequently cancelled, which had necessitated the need to follow the PFI route of funding.
Councillors Crute and Stradling expressed disappointment that communities in East Durham had not been consulted on the closure of A and E at Hartlepool. Councillor Stradling specifically referred to the communities of Horden/Blackhall Colliery/Easington and Peterlee not being consulted and sought an assurance that in future they would receive adequate consultation regarding any proposed changes. It was acknowledged that the level of consultation was not as it should have been and an undertaking was given by David Gallagher, Director of Consortium Development (Sedgefield and Darlington) that in future such consultation would take place.
Councillor Stradling asked that a regular report be brought to this Committee on what was being done regarding consultation.
The Overview and Scrutiny Manager informed the Committee that, in relation to the decision to close A and E at Hartlepool Hospital, he and the Chair had met with the Chair of of Hartlepool Scrutiny Committee around increased communication and collaboration. The Chair of the Hartlepool Health Scrutiny Forum had confirmed that a monitoring group had been established and that he, as Chair of that group, would extend an invitation to Durham County Council to become involved.
Councillor Crute referred to financing for the new hospital facility, particularly the Deed of Safeguard which had been issued in August 2011with ministerial sign-off in October 2011 and asked whether this was a ‘copper-bottomed’ guarantee of finance. In reply, the Deed of Safeguard was, in effect, the Government acting as a guarantor. Once the outline business case had received ministerial approval, then the matter was referred to the Treasury who had 30 days to issue a Deed of Safeguard. Once ministerial approval had been obtained, and a Deed of Safeguard had been issued, then this was ‘as good as it gets’ under the PFI route of funding.
In reply to a question from Mr Taylor-Gooby regarding patient transport from the Peterlee area to North Tees Hospital it was confirmed that a Durham Urgent Care Transport System was in operation.
(ii) Single Number for Urgent Care (111) Pilot
The Committee received a presentation from Berenice Groves, Programme Director, NHS 111 Service North East that provided an update on the Single Number for Urgent Care (111) Pilot (for slides see file of minutes).
Members were advised that a procurement process was currently underway for the roll-out of the 111 Service across County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust and Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust. If Members wanted a further update on the tender evaluation process then this could be undertaken around November/December 2011.
On a linked issue Councillor Temple requested that appropriate and accurate directional signage be provided for the urgent care centre facility at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital.
(iii) Overview and Scrutiny Review – Mental Health Services for Older People in South Durham and Darlington
The Committee received a presentation from Catherine Parker, Commercial Lead – Mental Health NHS County Durham and Darlington and Doug Wardle, Clinical Services Manager, Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust and that provided an update on the progress of implementing the proposed changes to mental health services for older people in South Durham and Darlington. Members were also advised of the steps taken by both NHS County Durham and Darlington and Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust in addressing the recommendations identified as part of the Committees’ review of the changes (for slides see file of minutes).
Mrs Hassoon asked whether carer care plans were in place for Community Services, and whether transport arrangements were factored in. In reply the Committee was informed that patient specific care plans included provision for carers and that transport needs were discussed with family/carers. Included in this was a leaflet which was provided to patients and family that provided information on transport issues.
Councillor Burn asked whether it should be specified that the Auckland Park Unit was part of Bishop Auckland Hospital. In reply the Committee was informed that Auckland Park Unit was separate to Bishop Auckland Hospital, but patients were given the address of the Unit.
Members were informed that, following implementation of the proposals, there had been a reinvestment in community services which had resulted in an additional 15 staff to support the service.