Agenda item

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development inviting each local NHS Trust to provide a quarterly update on priority areas.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report outlining for Members previously identified priority areas for each local NHS Trust for the current year and explaining that each of the Trusts had been invited to attend the meeting to provide an update on progress against these priority areas.

The following representatives from local NHS Trusts were welcomed to the meeting:

·  Beverley Bryant (Executive Director of Performance, Improvement and Delivery) – NHS Leeds, and

·  Chris Butler (Chief Executive) – Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT).

Sylvia Craven (Director of Planning) – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) joined the meeting later during the consideration of this item.

The representatives reported on progress against the key issues and priorities as outlined in the report and responded to queries and comments from the Board.

In brief summary, the issues raised with the Executive Director of Performance, Improvement and Delivery (NHS Leeds) were:

·  Exercising Choice  - concern was expressed by Members that the choice element had been removed for patients where services were being concentrated in one centre:

Members were advised that it was recognised that it was necessary to have an open debate with the public as to where services were to be placed.

·  Dentistry Services – approval was expressed that there were proposals to increase the number of NHS dentists but concern that the Trust was putting obstacles in the way of a particular group of dentists who were trying to set up a practice in Otley:

Officers could not comment on the specific example given but Members were advised that although many dentists left the NHS in 2006,  they were now returning from private practice.  Contracts had gone out to tender and it was important to ensure equity in the contracts. The north west of the city had experienced particular problems but a Helpline had been set up to assist patients find an NHS dentist.

·  Dentistry services and short-term contracts:

Members were advised that an additional 28,000 NHS dental places for patients had been secured.  20,000 of these were permanent places and 8,000 were short-term places.  It was intended to convert the short-term places to permanent arrangements through either current or alternative providers.  It was agreed to establish whether patients of dentists working under short-term arrangements  would be told of the potential short-term nature of their place and provide this information to the Board.

·  Dentistry and disabled access:

With regard to disabled access to practices being a condition in the new contracts, Members were advised that it was a requirement that any new dentist premises met the minimum standards.  It was not known however how may existing practices were fully compliant with DDA legislation and officers agreed to provide this information to the Board.

·  Patient Choice of three GP Practices and how this might impact on hospital admissions:

Members were advised that it was believed that choice of GP was an important right for the individual.  Accident and Emergency services were under pressure and it was hoped that the new system of choice would increase the number of GP home visits rather than patients having to telephone for an ambulance.  NHS Leeds monitored GP performance and those practices that were not performing well were given help to improve.

·  Sexual Health and Teenage Conception:

Members were advised that there was a large public health team which focused on help and prevention.  There was a city-wide team but it was found that the best results were achieved when specific areas were targeted.  Mobile phone technology and the internet were being used to reach young people, as well as attendance at specific events, for example the Leeds Festival.

·  Partnership work between NHS Leeds and LCC:

Members were advised that the partnership worked well but could always be improved on.

·  Public Health Reports:

It was agreed to supply a copy of the Director of Public Health’s latest Annual Report to each Member of the Board.

The issues raised with the Chief Executive – Leeds Partnerships NHS Foundation Trust were in brief summary:

·  Concern with regard to facilities for patients that suffered from mental and physical problems:

Members were advised that there were services available for these patients in Ward 40 at the LGI but it was recognised that improvements could be made, particularly for younger people who suffered from dementia, as these services were currently structured towards older people.  Work was also ongoing to improve access for those with physical disabilities to mental health services.

·  Patient Safety:

Members were advised that all three buildings where there had previously been concerns over fire safety had recently been through a fire safety audit by the fire service and the report was awaited.  However the Chief Executive was confident that fire safety provision was as it should be.

·  Health Fair at Pudsey Civic Centre:

Members were informed that the event was well attended by people with learning disabilities.

Sylvia Craven, (Director of Planning) – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, was welcomed to the meeting and offered to deliver a longer presentation to the Board at a later date on the issues that faced the Trust.

After updating the Board on the key issues for the LTHT, Members raised, in brief summary, the following issues:

·  More productive bed space and the management of C. difficile and MRSA:

It was confirmed that there was an integrated programme across the Trust that would lead to better patient care.  The management of C. difficile and MRSA were linked to bed space, as any patient contracting the infections would have to stay longer in hospital.  Members were also assured that although bed space would be reduced as services improved, patient care would not be compromised and the Trust would be able to treat more patients.

·  Theatre efficiency – operations being cancelled due to the unavailability of surgeons: 

Members were assured that this was not a problem in Leeds.  Operations however could be cancelled due to a variety of other reasons and the Trust were seeking to minimise these.

·  Missed appointments:

Members were advised that ‘Did Not Attend’ rates were improving and the Trust acknowledged the need to work in partnership with patients to reduce the figures.

The Chair thanked the officers from the NHS Trusts for attending and for their comprehensive reports.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report and presentations from each of the local NHS Trusts be noted.

(b)  That the following information be provided to Members by the Executive Director of Performance, Improvement and Delivery – NHS Leeds:

·  Whether patients of dentists on short-term NHS contracts were being told of the potential short-term nature of their place.

·  How many existing dental practices were fully compliant with DDA legislation.

·  A copy of the Director of Public Health’s latest Annual Report.

(NB: Councillor Kirkland declared a personal interest during the consideration of this item as the premises referred to in the discussions on dentistry provision were next door to his home.)

(Note: Councillor Lamb joined the meeting at 11.05am during the consideration of this item and Mr Mack left the meeting at 11.25am at the conclusion of this item.)