Agenda item

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support introducing information in relation to the Stroke Services priority area, within the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).

The Joint Committee received a report from Leeds City Council’s Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support, introducing information in relation to the Stroke Services priority area within the West Yorkshire and Harrogate Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP).

The following were in attendance for consideration of this item:

·  Jo Webster, Chief Officer, Wakefield CCG

·  Linda Driver, West Yorkshire & Harrogate Stroke/Hyper Acute Stroke Project Lead

·  Dr Pratap Singh Rana, Consultant Stroke Physician, Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust

·  Rory Deighton, Director, Healthwatch Kirklees

·  Karen Coleman, Communications and Engagement Lead, West Yorkshire and Harrogate STP

·  Jackie Crossley, Head of Clinical Effectiveness, Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust

In providing general background and introducing information within the report, a range of matters were highlighted, including:

·  Context of the national review of stroke services.

·  Emerging evidence on approaches to reduce strokes resulting in death and long-term conditions.

·  Projections for an increase in the number of patients having a stroke.

·  Consideration was being given to how hyper acute stroke and acute stroke care services could be improved across West Yorkshire.

·  Plans for public and patient engagement in relation to improvements across the whole clinical pathway for stroke care, including prevention, first 72 hours of care, rehabilitation and community support. 

·  Public engagement work due to take place over 6-weeks, commencing 1 February 2017.

·  Key drivers and the case for change/ review of services, which included:

o  Outcome of the resilience review undertaken (based on 2012 data);

o  Increasing demand for services;

o  Levels of morbidity for those suffering a stroke;

o  An ageing population with complex health and social care needs;

o  Workforce sustainability.

·  The potential impact of other stroke engagement and consultation work taking place in surrounding areas, including South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw and North Derbyshire.

Members of the Joint Committee discussed the information presented and raised a number of specific points / questions, including:

·  The contractual relationship between HealthWatch Kirklees and the STP Programme Office, in undertaking the public engagement activity.

·  Assurance sought around the independence of HealthWatch Kirklees in undertaking the public engagement activity on behalf of the STP Programme Office.

·  Assurance sought around any pre-determined reduction in the current number of stroke care units across the West Yorkshire and Harrogate STP footprint, and the language used in the STP document.

·  The likely decision-making timeline and governance arrangements.

·  A request for details of the recommendations identified by the Clinical Senate, and the evidence base/ working assumptions used at that time.

·  A request for the outcome of the public engagement work to be reported to the Joint Committee, prior to any potential reconfiguration decisions.

·  Assurance sought around the contribution of ‘stroke services’ in helping address the gaps identified in the West Yorkshire and Harrogate STP

On conclusion of the discussion, the Chair thanked the Clinical Director for his attendance and contribution to the discussion.

RESOLVED –

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

(b)  To receive and consider details of the resilience review and recommendations of the Clinical Senate referred to at the meeting.

(c)  To receive and consider details of the planned public engagement activity referred to at the meeting.

(d)  To consider the outcome of the public engagement activity at an appropriate future meeting of the Joint Committee.