Agenda item

Further to Minute No. 45, 24^th November 2009, to receive and consider the attached update report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

Referring to Minute No. 45 of the meeting held on 24 November 2009, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report presenting the meeting with an updated position regarding the development of dermatology services with Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT).

The following representatives from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust,  and the newly established patient panel (Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel (LDPP)) were in attendance to provide an update to the Board:-

Philip Norman, Divisional General Manager for Medicine – LTHT

Judith Lund, Directorate Manager (Speciality Medicine) - LTHT

Victor Boughton – Leeds Dermatology Patient Panel (LDPP)

Copies of the following Supplementary Information was circulated for the information/comment of the meeting:-

• Provision of Dermatology Services – Update: Submission from the Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel (LDPP)
• Provision of Dermatology Services – Update: Submission from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
• Provision of Dermatology Services – Update: Submission from the British Association of Dermatologists (BAD)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s Directorate Manager (Speciality Medicine) advised the Board that:

• LTHT intended to continue to provide dedicated Dermatology inpatient beds;
• The continued need for dedicated inpatient beds and the need for skilled nursing staff was recognised and there was no proposal to change the level of service or support provided;
• LTHT was seeking to reprovide the inpatient beds to another ward location within the Trust;
• There had been on-going discussions with patients, consultants and the nursing team about the proposed re-provision of dermatology beds from Ward 43 LGI to another ward location within LTHT;
• A lead Matron had been dedicated to the project and, in close liaison with patients, consultants and the nursing team, a draft options paper had been produced for further comments by key stakeholders before completion.

The Leeds Dermatology Patient Panel (LDPP) representative addressed the Board and advised that:

• As the panel was newly formed and still evolving, its main aim was to contribute to the planned re-provision of Ward 43 dermatology services and to ensure a focus on maintaining current levels of high quality patient;
• The panel had established links with a number of representative groups within LTHT and were continuing to receive support from a range of national dermatology groups and organisation, such as  The Skin Care Campaign and The British Association of Dermatologist;
• The panel also included a committee member of the Leeds Local Involvement Network ( LINks);
• The panel had been very active with input into the completion of the option appraisal work, including compiling a comparison list between Ward 43 at LGI and a proposed Ward 2 at Chapel Allerton Hospital (CAH);
• During the last three months, LTHT had been very helpful, open and transparent at the panel’s meetings. 
• The next stage would be around the more formal consultation processes.

The Chair stated that, from the outset, the main aim of the Board had been to help ensure the retention of high quality, dedicated medical and nursing care for the benefit of patients.

As such, the Chair thanked those attending for updating the Scrutiny Board on progress, stating he wished to place on record his appreciation for the contributions received from all interested parties.  The Chair also stated that it was heartening to hear how patients were being actively involved in the planned re-provision of dermatology services, noting the Board’s pivotal role in this regard.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report, together with the supplementary information circulated, be noted and welcomed.

b)  That further updates on this issue be submitted to future meetings of the Board.

(Councillor D Hollingsworth joined the meeting at 11.05am during consideration of this item)