Agenda and minutes

There were no substitutes at the meeting.

There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests, personal, or personal and prejudicial interests made.  No whip was declared.

There were no public speaking requests.

Discussion with senior Trust representatives.

The Chairman welcomed the following representatives from Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust to the meeting - Sean Lyons, Chair, Dr Peter Reading, Chief Executive, Dr Kate Wood, Medical Director, Ellie Monkhouse, Chief Nurse, Jane Warner, Associate Chief Nurse – Midwifery, Gynaecology and Breast Services, Dr Preeti Ghandi, Divisional Medical Director for Family Services, and Adrian Beddow, Associate Director of Communications and Engagement.

The Chairman explained that the Trust representatives had been invited to discuss the recent publication of the latest Inspection Report by The Care Quality Commission (CQC).  A copy of the report had been circulated with the agenda.

Dr Reading led on delivering a presentation on the outcome of the Trust’s inspection, highlighting that the Trust had now achieved the standards required to move out of ‘quality special measures’ (now called the Recovery Support Programme) and that process, which had a number of formal stages, had commenced.  The presentation continued, focussing on issues such as finances, headline ratings, main findings, areas for improvement, and what the next steps would be.  Dr Reading’s colleagues contributed as appropriate.

Members thanked Dr Reading for his presentation, before the Chairman led a discussion and question-and-answer session on the presentation and the CQC’s findings. Questions were wide-ranging, but included queries about staff morale, governance issues, ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ orders, End-Of-Life care, and other key issues.

Resolved – (a) That the Trust representatives be thanked for their attendance and contribution, (b) that future meetings to discuss maternity and end-of-life care be set-up; and (c) that the improvements to outcomes be welcomed, whilst noting and sharing the Trust’s view that further work is required.

The Chairman invited Sean Lyons, Chair of Northern Lincolnshire & Goole NHS Foundation Trust to provide an overview of their proposal to move towards a Group Leadership Model of governance with Hull University Teaching Hospital.

Members discussed the proposal, asking questions about the impact of devolution the practical implications of the new model, and whether there would be any impact on patients.  Sean confirmed that there would be no detrimental impact on patients, and that the Group Leadership model would allow for closer working between the Trusts.

Resolved – That the proposal for a Group Leadership model be noted.

Discussion with senior Partnership representatives.

The Chairman welcomed Ivan McConnell, Director of Strategic Development/Director Humber Acute Services, Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, Alex Seale, Chair of Humber Acute Services Executive Oversight Group and Place Director – North Lincolnshire, and Linsay Cunningham, Associate Director of Communications and Engagement – Humber Acute Services Programme, to the meeting.

The Chairman invited the representatives to deliver a presentation on the Humber Acute Service Programme.  Ivan led on the delivery of this presentation, which covered the outline plan and timescales, capital funding, links to ‘out of hospital’ services, and future work.  Linsay discussed the engagement work to date.

Members asked questions throughout, including the likelihood of capital funding for Scunthorpe General Hospital and other sites, possible timescales for capital work, pre-consultation work, and patient pathways.  NHS representatives responded fully to these questions.

Resolved – (a) That Ivan McConnell, Alex Seale, and Linsay Cunningham be thanked for their attendance and presentation, (b) that regional scrutiny colleagues be approached regarding a possible Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting in the coming months’ and (c) that the situation regarding the Humber Acute Services Review be closely monitored, with an appropriate regional response formulated when the consultation exercise begins.   

There was no Added Item scheduled for this meeting.

There were no other items due to be discussed at the meeting.  The Chairman wished all present a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.