Agenda item

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. She also commented that the size of print needed to be larger. 

Members of the Committee commented that parking information relating to Blue Badge holders should be highlighted more clearly on the flyers. The Committee expressed concern that many Blue Badge Holders are still not aware that they are required to register their vehicle registration number at reception in order to qualify for disabled parking.

The Committee highlighted the importance of clear and accessible signage both at parking sites and reception areas with parking information displayed as clearly as possible.

The Chairman of the Committee requested that Deborah Sanders and Dr Hannah Western be invited to attend the March 30^th meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee. Mr Tony Wright confirmed that he would investigate the parking issues raised at the meeting as a matter of urgency and report back to the Committee.

 RESOLVED that:

1. The Committee note the update from the Royal Free London NHS Trust on the acquisition of Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust.