Agenda and minutes

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

It was agreed to admit the following additional information for consideration at the meeting (Minute 59 refers):

• Submission from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT)
• Formal JCPCT response to the report of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (October 2011)
• City of Bradford MDC – Council resolution – 10 July 2012
• Letter from Sheffield City Council
• Review of Children’s Congenital Cardiac Services at Royal Hospital for Sick Children (Yorkhill), Glasgow – Report of the Independent Expert Panel Chaired by Professor Sir Ian Kennedy (February 2012)
• Details of additional Council motions
• Replacement Appendix 2 showing the detailed breakdown of assessment scores for surgical centres produced by the Independent Expert Panel (chaired by Sir Ian Kennedy)

It was noted that the replacement Appendix 2 had been received very late, with insufficient time for members of the Joint HOSC to give detailed consideration.  It was highlighted  that after considering the information presented at the meeting – including the detailed breakdown of the assessment scores for surgical centres produced by the Independent Expert Panel (chaired by Sir Ian Kennedy) – other information may be identified and subsequently requested by the Joint HOSC.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-18 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  Also to declare any other significant interests which the Member wishes to declare in the public interest, in accordance with paragraphs 19-20 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Councillor Naylor declared a personal interest due to ownership of a company that undertook work on behalf of the NHS  from time to time. As this was a non-pecuniary interest, Councillor Naylor remained in the meeting. 

There were no other declarations of interest.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors J Bromby,

M Gibbons, R Goldthorpe, B Rhodes, M Rooney and J Worton.

Attendance of the following substitute members was confirmed:

• Bradford MDC –  Councillor Adrian Naylor attending as a substitute for Councillor Mike Gibbons
• Calderdale Council – Councillor Ann McAllister attending as a substitute for Councillor Ruth Goldthorpe
• Wakefield Council – Councillor Yvonne Crewe attending as a substitute for Councillor Betty Rhodes

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting for approval the draft Terms of Reference for amendment and/or agreement of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber), in relation to the national Review of Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development informed the Board that, due to the local elections held in May 2012 and the subsequent changes in appointments within Council’s across the region, it was necessary to consider and formally agree changes to the membership of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber). 

The following proposed changes to the membership of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) were reported:

·  Leeds City Council – Councillor John Illingworth replacing Councillor. Lisa Mulherin (with Councillor Illingworth to act as Chair of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber)). 

·  North East Lincolnshire Council – Councillor Peggy Elliott replacing Councillor Karl Wilson

·  Sheffield City Council ­– Councillor Mick Rooney replacing Councillor  Ian Saunders

It was also reported that when first established, the Terms of Reference for the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) had focused on the proposed changes to Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England (including the reconfiguration options and future location of surgical centres) and responding to the formal consultation.  However, as the review and consultation processes had progressed, it had become increasingly apparent that potentially there were significant implementation issues that the Joint HOSC may wish to consider on an ongoing basis.

Members of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) were presented with revised Terms of Reference that reflected the proposed changes in membership and included consideration of issues associated with the implementation stage of the review. 

Members considered the revised Terms of Reference and agreed the proposed changes without any additional amendments.

Thanks were expressed to Councillors Wilson and Saunders for their contributions to the work of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber). There was particular thanks reserved for Councillor Mulherin, the former Chair of the Joint Committee.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the information presented in the report and revised Terms of Reference be noted.

(b)  That the proposed changes to the membership of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) and the scope of the Joint Committee’s work, as set out in the revised Terms of Reference be agreed.

To consider the report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development enabling the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) to consider the decision of the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (and associated Decision-Making Business Case) in relation to the review of Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England and the reconfiguration of designated surgical centres.

The report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development introduced a range of information related to the decision by the Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) regarding the future reconfiguration of Children’s Congenital Cardiac Surgical Centres and associated network configuration.

The report reminded members of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) of the previous report prepared by the Joint Committee that highlighted a number of areas members believed needed further and more detailed consideration, including:

·  Co-location of services;

·  Caseloads;

·  Population density;

·  Vulnerable groups;

·  Travel and access to services;

·  Costs to the NHS

·  The impact on children, families and friends;

·  Established congenital cardiac networks;

·  Adults with congenital cardiac disease; 

·  Views of the people across Yorkshire and the Humber

The report highlighted the overall view previously expressed by the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) that any future service model that did not include a designated children’s cardiac surgical centre at Leeds would have a disproportionately negative impact on the children and families across Yorkshire and the Humber.

The report also highlighted that, at its meeting on 4 July 2012, the JCPCT had agreed consultation Option B for implementation and the designation of congenital heart networks led by the following surgical centres:

·  Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

·  Alder Hey Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

·  Birmingham Children’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

·  University Hospitals of Bristol NHS Foundation Trust

·  Southampton University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

·  Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust

·  Guy’s and St. Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust

The associated Decision-Making Business Case was appended to the report for consideration by members of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber).

A range of interested parties / stakeholders were identified in the report as having been invited to attend the meeting and assist the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) in its consideration of the JCPCT’s decision.

The Chair advised the meeting that contributions would be received and considered in the following order:

• Elected representatives;
• Children’s Heart Surgery Fund and patient and parent representatives;
• Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust representatives; and,
• Joint Committee of Primary Care Trusts (JCPCT) representatives.

Elected representatives:

The following representatives were in attendance and addressed the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber).

·  Stuart Andrew – Member of Parliament for Pudsey

·  Councillor Lisa Mulherin – Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing   (Leeds City Council)

Stuart Andrew MP addressed the meeting, stating he was representing a large number of Members of Parliament from across different political parties.  I t was emphasised that MPs were not against the principles of the review but questioned the outcome and some of the assumptions made to support the JCPCT’s decision.  A number of specific issues, including the following matters, were highlighted:

·  Issues associated with the general population around Leeds (14 million people with 2 hours drive of the City) and transport links had not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

In order to agree the report to accompany the Joint Committee’s referral to the Secretary of State for Health and to continue with any other aspects of work, as appropriate, it was agreed to convene future meetings of the Joint Committee as and when appropriate. 

The Chair of the Joint Committee thanked all those present for their attendance and contribution to the meeting.