Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting, thanked them for attending, and invited attendees to introduce themselves.

Cllr Boynton, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, sent his apologies.

Cllr Smith, Lincolnshire County Council, declared a personal interest as a member of the East Midlands Veterans Advisory and Pension Committee

Cllr Hudson, North East Lincolnshire Council, declared a personal interest as Chair of the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Panel.

The Chairman introduced the draft Terms of Reference and sought members’ views.  A discussion was held about allowing for the provision of minority reports.  It was -

           Moved by Councillor Robinson and seconded by Councillor Astbury -

           That the Terms of Reference be approved and adopted by the JHOSC.

Moved by Councillor Wilson and seconded by Councillor Macey as an amendment-

That the Terms of Reference be amended to incorporate the provision of minority reports.

                                                                                              Amendment Lost                                                         

                                                                                              Motion Carried

1.     Hull City Council

2.     East Riding of Yorkshire Council

3.     Lincolnshire County Council

4.     North East Lincolnshire Council

5.     North Lincolnshire Council

The Health Scrutiny Chairs were invited to give their initial views about the consultation and any implications for their residents.

The Chairman suggested that each scrutiny committee continue to consider the proposals as they sought fit, and that this be brought back to a future JHOSC meeting to identify common themes and to agree a response.  This was agreed.

The Chairman welcomed Anja Hazebroek – Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Media Relations, ICB, Ivan McConnell – Director of Strategic Development, NLaG/HUTH, Dr Kate Wood – Chief Clinical Officer, NLaG, Dr Linsay Cunningham – Assoc. Director of Communications and Engagement, ICB/NLaG, Alex Seale, North Lincolnshire NHS Place Director, Dr Anwer Qureshi – Clinical Lead for Urgent and Emergency Care, NLaG, and Helen Kenyon, North East Lincolnshire NHS Place Director, to the meeting.  The Chairman explained that the NHS representatives had been invited by the JHOSC to provide an overview of the proposals, and to answer members’ questions.

Anja delivered an initial presentation covering the rationale for change and the proposals, what this would mean in practice, how the ICB developed the proposals, and the timeline and next steps.

The Chairman then led a wide-ranging discussion on the proposals.  Questions were asked about the number of patients affected from each constituent local authority area, and Ivan confirmed that the numbers would be relatively small for most areas, as patients didn’t flow towards Scunthorpe General Hospital.

Members asked questions about the impact of inpatient centralisation on waiting times, and it was explained that the new 7 day model would improve productivity.  Dr Qureshi explained that the new model would also improve consultant cover and recruitment.

Members also asked about local leadership, workforce issues, and consultation with veterans.  When asked about areas that concern ICB leaders, Ivan identified that transportation remained an issue.  A dedicated group had been set up to seek solutions and analysis had been undertaken.

Concerns were raised about the impact of centralisation on the future sustainability of existing hospital sites, giving the example of Bridlington Hospital, which had a number of services removed over recent years.  ICB representatives stated that the proposals only covered these specialties, but that services constantly develop.

The ICB representatives highlighted work that was ongoing about keeping patients out of hospital ,and in moving patients from acute settings into community facilities.

Finally, JHOSC members queried the consultation process, including the documents that had been published to support this.  ICB representatives responded accordingly.

Resolved – (a) That Anja Hazebroek, Ivan McConnell, Dr Kate Wood, Dr Linsay Cunningham, Alex Seale, Dr Anwer Qureshi, and Helen Kenyon,  be thanked for the presentation and for responding to the panel’s questions, (b) that the situation be noted, (c) that each local authority’s Health Scrutiny Committee continue their work on the proposals as they see fit; and (d) that a future meeting of the JHOSC be convened to agree common conclusions and a joint response to the consultation.

There was no urgent or additional business for this meeting.