Decision details

To receive an update from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust on the acquisition of the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Chairman introduced the report which provided the Committee with an update from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation following the Acquisition of the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust.

Referring to the report, Mr. Flemming advised the Committee that one of the most important determinants of success for the acquisition was the extent to which the working relationships with partners can be improved and how those partners work together on commonly agreed priorities.  Mr. Flemming noted the importance of having strategic leadership. 

Referring to emergency flows, Mr. Flemming advised the committee that Barnet Hospital is a busy emergency and maternity hospital.  Mr. Flemming noted the significance of demographic pressures on demand.

The Chairman questioned if Mr. Flemming felt that the three hospitals were pulling together following the acquisition.  Mr. Flemming advised that it is early days for the Trust and that, as the acquisition had only been in place for about around 100 days, he would be hesitant to make any premature judgements. 

A Member referred to the cases of Clostridum Difficile attributed to each hospital, as set out in the report, and noted that the number of cases at Barnet and Chase Farm had fallen. 

A Member questioned if the Trust had received many comments on signage at Chase Farm Hospital.  Ms. Sanders advised the Committee that the hospital had considered signage recently and had put in additional signs, but did not consider that enough had been done.  The Committee noted that staff at the hospital were being encouraged to actively help people to find their way around the site.  A Member suggested that the hospital could publish a site map on their website.  A Member questioned if the hospital needed funding to improve signage on site.  The Committee noted that the hospital had received approval for a specialist consultant on signs.

A Member of the Committee asked if the Trust held any figures about the number of people accessing A&E Services in Barnet from outside the Borough.  Mr. Flemming advised the Committee that the Trust was currently looking into ways to measure the postcode area that patients came from. 

The Chairman requested that the Royal Free London Hospital NHS Foundation Trust provide the Committee with another report on the acquisition at their December meeting to cover:-

·         A financial update on the Trust as a whole a service update for Barnet hospital.

·          The Planning Application for the Chase Farm Hospital site which had been submitted to the London Borough of Enfield.

·          Dementia and Alzheimer’s training. 

RESOLVED that:-

1)    The Committee note the report

2)    The Committee request to be provided with a further update from the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust as set out above.