Agenda item

To consider a report introducing NHS England’s consultation on proposed changes to Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Services

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report introducing details of NHS England’s 3-month consultation (launched on 24 March 2015) in relation to proposed changes to Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Services.

The following representatives were in attendance:

·  Moira Dumma (Commissioning Operations Director (Yorkshire & the Humber)) – NHS England (North)

·  Anthony Prudhoe (Programme of Care Senior Manager (Women and Children) – NHS England

·  Yvette Oade (Chief Medical Officer) – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

·  Helen Brown (Network Manager) – The North East England Paediatric Neuroscience Network (NEPNN)

·  Lisa Cutsey (Lead Nurse) – The North East England Paediatric Neuroscience Network (NEPNN)

A representative from the NHS England’s Communications Team was also in attendance. 

NHS England’s Programme of Care Senior Manager (Women and Children) addressed the Scrutiny Board and outlined NHS England’s proposals on proposed changes to the specification for Children’s Epilepsy Surgery Services.  A number of issues were raised including:

·  Proposals included all children’s epilepsy  surgery being undertaken in one of the currently designated Children’s Epilepsy  Surgery Services (CESS) centres.

·  The proposals would impact on children 0-18 years.

·  It was proposed to extend the list of procedures undertaken by the CESS centres.

·  The number of procedures likely to be involved was in the region of 320-350 per annum.

·  There were patient safety issues that needed to be considered.

It was also confirmed that an impact assessment was being undertaken during the public consultation.

Representatives from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and the North East England Paediatric Neuroscience Network also addressed the Scrutiny Board, with a number of specific point highlighted, including:

·  The North East England Paediatric Neuroscience Network had been formed since the original designation of CESS centres – but was the ony network not to include a designated CESS centre.

·  The designation of CESS centres had not led to an increase in surgical interventions, as originally planned.

·  Concerns regarding the potential distances children and their families may be expected to travel.

·  The annual number of investigations was in the order of 3-4 times greater than the number of surgical interventions – therefore the number of children and families affected was likely to be greater. 

·  Risks that current expertise in the network would be lost to CESS centres.

The Chair of the Scrutiny Board made reference to the previous involvement of the Scrutiny Board in relation to Children’s Epilepsy Surgery over a number of years.

The Scrutiny Board considered the information provided and discussed a number of issues raised at the meeting, including:

·  Limitations in NHS England’s approach to involving and engaging a wide range of stakeholders in relation to specialised services – including local authority health scrutiny bodies.

·  Concern regarding NHS England’s reliance on a web-based approach to public consultation.

·  The lack of any ‘impact assessment’ to help facilitate wider public participation in the consultation process.

·  Concern that previously reported anxieties around the designation of CESS centres appeared to be becoming reality – despite previous assurances provided to the Scrutiny Board.

·  The potential impact on children and families across the North East of England.

·  The potential impact on services to adults.

·  The future sustainability of the North East Network without a designated CESS centre.

·  A lack of clear evidence to support any improved outcomes within CESS centres.

·  Concern that there was insufficient information available to enable the Scrutiny Board to make a fully informed consultation response. 

On conclusion of the item, the Chair thanked those present for their attendance and contribution to the discussion. 

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  That the Chair formally raise the concerns highlighted by the Scrutiny Board with NHS England.

(Councillor J Lewis left the meeting at 11:35am during consideration of the above item.)

(Councillor K Maqsood left the meeting at 11:45am during consideration of the above item.)

(Councillor J Akhtar left the meeting at 12:10pm during consideration of the above item.)