Hampshire County Council Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee Meeting

Apologies were received from Councillors Curnow-Ford, Craig and Taylor.

Councillors Hayre and Hiscock were in attendance as the substitute members for the Conservative group and Liberal Democrat group respectively.

Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest in any matter considered at the meeting they must declare that interest at the time of the relevant debate and, having regard to the circumstances described in Part 3, Paragraph 1.5 of the County Council's Members' Code of Conduct, leave the meeting while the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with Paragraph 1.6 of the Code. Furthermore Members were mindful that where they believed they had a Non-Pecuniary interest in a matter being considered at the meeting they considered whether such interest should be declared, and having regard to Part 5, Paragraph 2 of the Code, considered whether it was appropriate to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with the Code.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 March 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee did not receive any deputations.

The Chairman updated the Committee on some changes to membership following District and Borough elections and the County Council’s AGM. The Chairman thanked Councillors Hamilton, Butler, Cooper and Pankhurst for their contribution to the work of the Committee. The Chairman welcomed new Members.

The Chairman provided an update from Hampshire Hospitals and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board on progress with the new hospital programme. The update is below:

‘We remain on course to deliver a new hospital for Hampshire as part of the government’s national New Hospital Programme. We are currently waiting for an announcement about the capital funding allocation following discussions between colleagues at the Department of Health and Social Care working on the new hospitals programme and HM Treasury. We continue to work closely with our partners and New Hospital Programme colleagues and as soon as we receive a final capital budget, we will finalise our on-going work and take our proposals out for public consultation at the earliest opportunity.’

a)    Building Better Emergency Care (Portsmouth Hospitals Foundation Trust)

The Committee received one of a series of regular updates on the BBEC programme to redevelop the Emergency Department at Queen Alexandra Hospital. Members heard that all preparatory works had taken place and groundworks and foundation were 75% completed. The main structure of the building was being erected and was on schedule for a Winter 2024 opening.

In response to Members’ questions it was noted that:

·       There would be enough bays for sixteen ambulances which was planned to significantly reduce waiting times.

·       There would be the same amount of car parking provision as was previously available prior to the redevelopment. Staff car parking provision had moved to a nearby Park and Ride.

·       The construction contract had a defined cost but that this did not mean a fixed cost. Inflation and cost increases had been planned for with contingency funding in place. It was confirmed that the programme was running to budget.

RESOLVED:

i)             That the Committee welcome the progress in the Building Better Emergency Care Programme and request a further update for the January 2024 meeting as construction work progresses.

b)    Proposal to create an elective hub (Hampshire Hospitals/Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board)

Members received a presentation on plans to develop an elective orthopaedic facility to address the backlog waiting list created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee heard that the hub would contain two theatres and a twenty-eight bedded in-patient ward with associated facilities. The unit would be built within the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester was intending to deliver an additional 2,400 procedures each year. Members noted that the business case for the proposals was currently awaiting NHS England approval and that, subject to being approved, construction could start as early as September 2023 with the facility opening in November 2024. It was confirmed that the hub was planned to be in operation 6 days a week and that opportunities to enable Sunday working were being explored.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee continue to monitor the progress of the elective hub development and request a further update at the November 2023 HASC meeting following the estimated construction start date.

The Committee received an update from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and the Frimley Integrated Care Board (ICB) on the progress made since the implementation of Integrated Care Systems in 2022.

A timeline of key stages was shared including the development of each ICB’s strategic priorities, vision statements being finalised, Charter of Behaviours being finalised and delivery in partnership linking to the Operating Plan. Members also heard of the governance arrangements which had been established including the Integrated Care Partnership (ICP) (an alliance of NHS, local government and other partners who work together to improve the care, health and wellbeing of the population) and the ICP Joint Committee; the membership for the Joint Committee was noted. The next steps for each ICB were confirmed in terms of establishing specific programmes to deliver transformed models of care and monitor their impact.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

·         Both Integrated Care Strategy documents were high level and covered a wide range of topics. Specific information on individual workstreams and care pathways was not detailed in the overview papers.

·         Financial challenges being experienced by the H&IOW ICB were noted and, in reference to Appendix 2, section 6 of the report, a return to pre-pandemic levels of spend were not anticipated.

·         Both ICB strategies were intended to bring about meaningful benefits to residents across Hampshire but they included long term aims which required commitment and partnership working to bring to fruition.

·         Public Health colleagues at the County Council were working with Children’s Services to provide education around vaping and prevent young people from taking up vaping.

That the Committee:

    i.       Note the progress made as outlined within the supporting reports and presentation slides.

   ii.       Note the development of the joint forward plan and the separate Integrated Care strategies as set out in the appendices.

  iii.       Continue to monitor and receive updates on the development and implementation of both Hampshire ICSs at appropriate intervals within the Work Programme.

Members requested updates as set out below and it was agreed that the relevant organisations would be contacted to seek further information and provide updates in the most appropriate manner.

·        Councillor Harrison sought more information from Southern Health on reported proposals to close Crowlin House in Totton.

·        Councillor Harvey requested information on the criteria for providing Continuing Heathcare funding.

·        Councillor Branson requested information on dementia care.

·        Councillor Dowden requested information on autism support and support within schools for children with autism.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee’s work programme be approved.