Agenda item

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing further information to the Scrutiny Board in relation to the provision of Children’s Epilepsy Surgery.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that introduced further information relating to the provision of Children’s Epilepsy Surgery. The Scrutiny Board considered an initial letter to and subsequent response from NHS England in this regard, appended to the report. 

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser reminded members that in July 2013 the Scrutiny Board had previously considered a request for scrutiny and agreed to consider issues related to the provision of Children’s Epilepsy Surgery in Leeds and the associated procurement process. 

The following representatives were in attendance to help the Scrutiny Board consider the information presented:

·  Laura Sherburn (Interim Head of Specialised Commissioning) – NHS England (South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Area Team)

·  Dr Mark Smith (Chief Operating Officer – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

·  David Berridge (Medical Director (Operations) – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

In addressing the Scrutiny Board, the Interim Head of Specialised Commissioning (NHS England (South Yorkshire & Bassetlaw Area Team)) briefly outlined the NHS England’s response, which covered the following areas:

·  Background and context to identifying four providers to deliver a Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Service – acknowledging there was no specialised surgical service centre (for children under 5) located in Yorkshire and the Humber or the North East of England;

·  Response to the issues raised by the Scrutiny Board, following the initial request for scrutiny.

·  The development of the North East Paediatric Neurosciences Network 

The Chair expressed concern that, despite the relatively small number of children/ families likely to be affected, the existing provision did not sufficiently reflect the population profile or geography of Yorkshire and the Humber.  There was also concern that the lack of provision might be seen as an erosion of services and have a negative impact on other service areas, including other neuroscience services, at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Addressing the Scrutiny Board, representatives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT), made a number of points and outlined a range of matters, including:

·  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS trust was fully supportive of its clinicians in maintaining and further developing paediatric neurosurgical service;

·  There was a larger population of children (aged 6 and over) that require epilepsy surgery and there was a desire to maintain and develop such a service in Leeds.

·  It was recognised that the establishment and development of an effective Neurosciences Network (covering Sheffield, Newcastle and Leeds) would be beneficial to each centre and the populations they serve.

·  More recently there had been a much greater degree of cohesive and a collaborative approach in relation to the establishment and development of a North East Paediatric Neurosciences Network;

·  Through the North East Paediatric Neurosciences Network, the Trust planned to contact NHS England in order to seek a review of provision within Yorkshire and Humber / the North of England.

The Scrutiny Board discussed the report and the details highlighted at the meeting and welcomed the more collaborative approach in relation to the establishment and development of a North East Paediatric Neurosciences Network reported. 

The Scrutiny Board also welcomed the proposal to seek a review of provision within Yorkshire and Humber / the North of England, as outlined at the meeting

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the information presented and discussed at the meeting.

(b)  To request a copy of the letter from the North East Paediatric Neurosciences Network to NHS England seeking a review of service provision within Yorkshire and Humber / the North of England. 

(c)  To maintain an overview of the existing provision of Children’s Epilepsy Surgery services, as necessary. 

At the conclusion of the discussion, the Chair thanked those in attendance for their contributions to the meeting.