Agenda item

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing an update on;

a)  The current provision of children’s heart surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT); and,

b)  Progress of the subsequent phases of the review of quality of children’s heart surgery services at LTHT.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development to provide an update on the current provision of children’s heart surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS

Trust (LTHT) and the progress of the subsequent phases of the review of quality of children’s heart surgery services at LTHT.

The report reminded members of the matters relating to the temporary suspension of children’s heart surgery at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust in late March 2013, as discussed at the joint committee’s previous meeting in April 2013.  Appended to the report, for completeness, were copies of the following reports (referred to at the meeting in April 2013):

-  Report of the External Review of Children’s Congenital Cardiac Surgery Service at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

-  Report from NICOR National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) following its investigation of mortality from Paediatric Cardiac Surgery in England 2009-12.

The following representative was in attendance to address the joint committee and respond to appropriate questions:

-  Andy Buck, Director – West Yorkshire Area Team (NHS England)

It was confirmed that since the temporary suspension and subsequent recommencement of children’s heart surgery at LTHT in March/ April 2013, a number of other activities had been taken forward.  These were summarised as follows:

·  Clinically led mortality review (April 2009 – 2013)

-  Covering all child deaths at LTHT within 30 days after undergoing heart surgery. 

-  The review had been completed and a draft report was being considered by NHS England and LTHT.

-  Whilst the report was still in draft form, that the review had found no major safety issues.

-  The review, in line with the vast majority of clinical audits in the NHS, some areas for improvement – which were likely to benefit other units performing children’s heart surgery.

·  Independent review of concerns/ complaints raised by parents and families

-  Review commissioned by NHS England – to be undertaken by Professor Pat Cantrill.

-  Professor Cantrill will meet with parents and families to listen to concerns and will subsequently draft a report for consideration by NHS England and LTHT.

-  Any necessary / additional actions will then be agreed.

·  Confirmation of any other outstanding issues requiring attention

It was reported that LTHT was taking proactive steps to ensure the provision of a safe, robust and high quality service.

The key points of the joint committee’s discussion included the following points:

·  Welcomed the report of no major safety issues at LTHT in its provision of children’s heart surgery.

·  Looked forward to the formal conclusion and reporting of NHS England’s investigation and associated learning points.

·  Some concern regarding timescales associated with NHS England’s investigations – which commenced in late March 2013,  with no target date for completion. 

·  Recent personnel changes at LTHT, including the appointment of a new Chief Executive, Medical Director, Nurse Director and additional surgeons.

·  Public perception around the movement / changes in personnel at LTHT and any relationship to the Trust’s stance/ position in relation to the Safe and Sustainable review.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the formal conclusion and outcome of NHS England’s investigations, alongside the associated learning points, be reported to a future meeting of the joint committee.