Agenda item

To consider a report from Leeds City Council’s Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support setting out details of NHS England’s final decisions on the commissioning of congenital heart disease services for adults and children across England; alongside submissions from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and Children’s Heart Surgery Fund.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support (Leeds City Council) submitted a report that presented details of NHS England’s final decisions on the commissioning of congenital heart disease services for adults and children across England.

In following representatives were in attendance for consideration of the item:

·  Julian Hartley – Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

·  Dr Elspeth Brown – Consultant Cardiologist, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

·  Debra Wheeler – General Manager, Yorkshire and Humber Congenital Heart Disease Network

·  Jo Quirk – Lead Nurse,  Yorkshire and Humber Congenital Heart Disease Network

·  Dr Michael Gregory, Regional Clinical Director Specialised Commissioning (North of England)

The Joint Committee noted that the Chief Executive of Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) – Sharon Coyle – who had been due to attend the meeting, had sent her apologies due to illness.  However, members of the Joint Committee wished to formally thank the Chief Executive for her support and contributions to the work of the Joint Committee, in addition to the work and on-going support provided by CHSF to children and families across Yorkshire and the Humber. 

The representatives in attendance addressed the Joint Committee to summarise the information submitted to the meeting and provide an update on progress at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. 

Some of the main points raised included:

·  Confirmation that congenital heart disease services for adults and children remained an important issue for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

·  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s appreciation for the work undertaken by the Joint Committee.

·  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s appreciation for the continued work and support provided by the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. 

·  Confirmation of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s commitment to meet all the service standards.

·  A reminder of the turbulence that had affected congenital heart disease services for adults and children in recent years.

·  Confirmation that NHS England’s recent review of congenital heart disease services for adults and children had been thorough, fair and evidence based.

·  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust contribution and cooperation during NHS England’s recent review of congenital heart disease services for adults and children.

·  The importance of continuing to build and strengthen ‘the network’ of care for patients with congenital heart disease. 

·  The need to focus on staff training and development across the network.

The Joint Committee considered the progress updates and discussed the range of information submitted and presented at the meeting.  Members raised a number of matters, including:

·  The positive and successful outcome for patients across Yorkshire and the Humber following NHS England’s recent decision on the future commissioning arrangements for congenital heart disease services for adults and children in England.

·  NHS England’s recent decision reflecting a number of matters raised and recommended by the Joint Committee as part of the original Safe and Sustainable review; including the joint consideration of services for adults and children; the significant focus on strong networks of care; and the retention of services at Leeds and Newcastle.

·  Any potential impact of Accountable Care Organisations and Systems on congenital heart disease services and other specialised services – with NHS England confirming that only around 10% of the 200 specialised services its commissions may be suitable for commissioning as part of any future Accountable Care Systems arrangements; but congenital heart disease services did not fall into this category.

·  The improved outcomes being achieved through the focus on service standards.

·  Future arrangements for reviewing transplant services and the ‘conditions’ placed on Newcastle in order to continue to provide services in the longer-term.

·  Assurance around Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust meeting all service standards by August 2018 and the need for a further report to be provided in this regard. 

·  The impact of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s desire to develop a distinctive Children’s Hospital at the current Leeds General Infirmary site. 

At the end of the discussion, the Chair thank those present for their attendance and contribution to the discussion. 

RESOLVED

(1)  That all the details presented at the meeting be noted.

(2)  That, as part of its future commissioning arrangements for congenital heart disease services for adults and children across England, NHS England’s decision to retain Level 1 services at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust be welcomed.

(3)  That, before December 2018, a further report be jointly provided by NHS England (as service commissioners) and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (as service providers) that provides:

a.  Further assurance around and Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s progress against all the service standards (including any that remain outstanding);

b.  Details of the development of the Yorkshire and Humber Network (including its relationships with other network areas).

c.  An update on the redevelopment of the Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) and any specific impact or implications on Congenital Heart Disease Services for Adults and Children.