Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting on 8 December 2014 be agreed as a correct record.

None.

The Chairman declared a non-pecuniary interest by virtue of being a Chaplain’s Assistant at Barnet and Chase Farm Hospital.

Councillor Caroline Stock declared a non-pecuniary interest by virtue of her husband being an Elected Public Governor on the Council of Governors, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

None.

None were submitted.

At the invitation of the Chairman, Councillor Amy Trevethan introduced the Members’ Item– East Barnet Health Centre. The Committee noted that the East Barnet Health Centre had remained closed for almost five months following asbestos removal works.

Members of the Committee expressed concern about the lack of consultation with patients about the closure of the Health Centre and any future proposals to re-open.

The Committee noted that a meeting was scheduled to be held on Friday 13 February 2015 in order to commence discussion with NHS Property Services about future plans for the East Barnet Health Centre.  Councillor Trevethan highlighted the importance of receiving a timeline of actions following the meeting on Friday 13 February. It was noted that the Committee are requested to give consideration and provide instruction as to any further actions in relation to this item.

The Chairman invited Mrs Jennifer Grocock, a patient at the East Barnet Health Centre to report on patient concerns. She raised an additional patient concern about the BT Communication issue at Vale Drive.

The Committee’s instructions in relation to this item were RESOLVED that:-

1. The Committee asks that NHS England is contacted as a matter of urgency to examine the current problems about patients using Vale Drive during the refurbishment work and to examine local alternatives in the immediate vicinity of East Barnet Health Centre as facilities to be used in the interim.

2. For the Committee to receive a further update on the telephone communication and BT systems issue.

3. For the Committee to be informed when a decision is made to either provide a new building or totally refurbish the existing building along with a timeline for the completion of the works.

Liverpool Care Pathway

The Chairman introduced the item and noted the response received from the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on the removal of the Liverpool Care Pathway as set out in Appendix One.

The Chairman invited Professor Stephen Powis, the Medical Director at the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to join the table. The Committee noted apologies from Dr Hannah Western, Service lead for Palliative Care at the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, who was due to attend to present the item. Under the circumstances, the Chairman proposed that the discussion on end of life care be deferred to the next meeting to enable Dr Western to report on this item together with Deborah Sanders, Director of Nursing Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation trust.

The Chairman commended the efforts of the Royal Free Hospital and the London Borough of Barnet Governance Service in arranging the visit for the Barnet Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee Members to the Accident and Emergency and Maternity Wards at Barnet Hospital. The Chairman commented that during the visit Members had expressed concern at the possibility of patients deteriorating in the reception area of A&E and highlighted the importance of raising awareness with staff at A&E to be mindful of patients at risk in the reception waiting area.

In response to questions, Professor Powis informed the Committee about the progress made following the acquisition of the Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust.

Winter pressures

The Committee further noted that attendances at Barnet Hospital had increased in December 2014 compared to the same period in the previous year. Professor Powis noted the measures put in place to meet pressures on emergency services such as additional staffing, further GP support and the provision of additional beds. The Committee were informed that an analysis of winter performance would take place to ensure that lessons are learned and incorporated within the plans to manage forthcoming winters.

Parking issues at Barnet Hospital

The Chairman invited Tony Wright, Head of PFI and Contracts (Estates and Facilities), to join the table. The Chairman expressed concern in relation to the visibility of information displayed in parking areas and noted that parking signage had not been lowered to appropriate eye level. This is continuing to be problematic for Blue Badge holders and other visitors. The Chairman commented that she had received assurances from David Sloman, the Chief Executive of the Trust, and Maggie Robinson, Head of Property, that the parking issues would be addressed at the latest by the end of December 2014.

The Chairman updated the Committee that she had visited the parking site at Barnet Hospital and that photographic evidence had been circulated to the Committee. The Chairman noted that the flyers contained within the appendices of the agenda were currently being displayed at reception, but expressed concern that they were not visible enough and advised that key information about parking on the hospital site should be made more prominent to visitors at reception.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Committee considered the report which set out options for the continuation of services at Cricklewood GP Health Centre, following the expiration of the current contract in June 2015.

The Chairman welcomed Regina Shakespeare, Interim Chief Operating Officer at Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group, Alan Levett, Chief Operating Officer at Barndoc Healthcare Ltd and Dr Ujjal Sarkar, Medical Director at Barndoc Healthcare Ltd to the table

Ms Shakespeare introduced the item and the information as set out in Appendix A of the report. Ms Shakespeare informed the Committee that the GP-led services and treatment offered at Cricklewood GP Health Centre were available to patients irrespective of where they live. The Committee noted that Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is responsible for commissioning the walk-in service at Cricklewood GP Health Centre.

In response to queries from Committee Members, Ms Shakespeare noted that the recommended option is not to renew the contract for walk-in services at Cricklewood GP Health Centre and to signpost and redirect Commissioned Walk in Centre (CWiC) patients to their GP or other appropriate services. The Barnet CCG reported that that out of the 20,000 patients attending the Walk in Centre only 67% were Barnet residents.

Alan Levett informed the Committee that closure of the Walk in Centre would increase the pressure on other primary care services. Dr Sarkar noted that further data and information should be considered before the CCG took the decision on the options for unscheduled care services.

The Committee noted the importance of receiving further evidence and engagement with Patient Participation Groups (PPGs) relating to the future of the services provided. The CCG confirmed that an agreement had been reached to extend the contract for another three months until September 2015.

RESOLVED that:-

1. The Committee note the report.
   
   
2. The Committee request that further data, information and evidence be presented to the Committee in July along with views and concerns expressed by Patient Participation Groups.

The Chairman noted a correction on page 49 of the Agenda pack and requested to delete the wording ‘Foundation’ - for the first paragraph under the heading Summary on page 49 to read:

Community London Central Healthcare NHSFoundation Trust (CLCH) provides local community health services in the boroughs of Barnet, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea and Westminster.

The Chairman invited Pam Chesters, Chairman of Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH), and James Benson, Divisional Director of Operations for Barnet Community and Specialist Nursing Services, to present the item.

Pam Chesters introduced the development plans of the Integrated Business Plan for the CLCH and the progression of plans towards receiving NHS Foundation Trust status which is set out in statute. Responding to a question from the Committee, Pam Chesters informed that the Foundation Trust is accountable to the Local Community (Council of Governors) and that the process for appointing Governors will be made in accordance with the relevant statutory requirements.  

The Committee noted that CLCH was driven by the following five strategic priorities:

·         Quality

·         Transformation

·         Value for Money

·         Governance

·         Growth

The Committee noted that these strategic priorities were developed in line with the Francis Report, the NHS Five Year Forward View and the King’s Fund guidance.

RESOLVED that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the update from the Central London Community Healthcare (CLCH)

The Chairman invited Dr Andrew Howe, the Director of Public Health for Harrow and Barnet Councils to join the table.

The report provided an overview of the last 50 years on a selection of topics which were public health issues fifty years ago and remained relevant issues today:

·                     Cardiovascular Disease

·                     Tuberculosis

·                     Sexually Transmitted Infections

·                     Tobacco control

·                     Vaccine Preventable Infections

·                     Healthy life expectancy

The Committee noted that each topic in the report included suggestions to tackle potential risk factors and improve awareness in the communities.

The Committee commended the Annual Report of the Director of Public Health.

RESOLVED that the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee note the report.

The Committee noted the items included in the 2014/15 forward work programme.

The Chairman of the Committee requested that Deborah Sanders (Director of Nursing, Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust) and Dr Hannah Western, (Service lead for Palliative Care at the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust), be invited to attend the 30^th March Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

The Committee agreed to include an update on Agenda Item 7: Options for Unscheduled Care Services at Cricklewood GP Health Centre for its Forward Work Programme in July.

RESOLVED that the Committee note the 2014/15 work programme.

The Chairman invited Councillor Helena Hart, the Chairman of the Health and Well-Being Board, to the table.  Councillor Hart advised that on 6 February 2015 confirmation of approval of the Better Care Fund Plan had been received.

Councillor Hart also advised the Committee that the Royal Free Hospital NHS Foundation Trust had approved in principle the provision of a “Changing Places” facility at Barnet Hospital. The Committee noted that this is to provide a purpose-made changing facility and toilet specifically designed to help people with complex and profound learning disabilities who cannot use standard accessible toilets.