Agenda and minutes

To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 25* of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an Appeal the press and public will be excluded).

(* In accordance with Procedure Rule 25, notice of an appeal must be received in writing by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting).

The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed everyone in attendance.

1  To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report.

2  To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information.

3  If so, to formally pass the following resolution:-

  RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:

  No exempt items have been identified on this agenda.

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser made reference to the Council’s new protocol relating to third party recording of Committees, Boards and Panels, including both video and audio recording.  Copies of this protocol were available at the meeting.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

In accordance with his powers under Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972, the Chair agreed to accept the following late and supplementary information for consideration at the meeting:

·  Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – Draft 5-Year Strategy

o  Written submission from HealthWatch Leeds

o  Written submission from Leeds Local Medical Committee

o  Written submission from Leeds City Council

(Minute 107 refers)

·  Aspiring NHS Foundation Trusts – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust Progress Update

o  Written update from NHS Trust Development Authority

(Minute 108 refers)

The above documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but had been made available to the public at the meeting. Copies of the papers would also be available on the Council’s website.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting. 

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillor C Towler and C Fox.  Notification had been received that Councillor B Urry was substituting for Councillor C Towler.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2014.

The Scrutiny Board considered the draft minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2014.

Reference was made to Care Quality Commission inspections in respect of services provided by Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust (LYPFT) and the request for the Trust’s initial action plan produced at the conclusion of the inspection visits (minute 95 refers).  It was confirmed this had been received and circulated to members of the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 February 2014 be approved as a correct record. 

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to comment on the draft 5-year strategy for Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT).

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that sought to provide an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board to consider and comment on Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s (LTHT) draft 5-year strategy, taking into account a range of feedback from other sources.

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

·  Julian Hartley (Chief Executive – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

·  Phil Corrigan (Chief Executive – Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group)

·  Jean Morgan (Acting Director – HealthWatch Leeds)

·  Stuart Morrison (Team Leader, Community Engagement – HealthWatch Leeds

During the discussion, Rob Kenyon (Chief Officer Health Partnerships – Leeds City Council) was subsequently invited to join the meeting.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

In addressing the Scrutiny Board, the Chief Executive made a number of points, including:

·  Satisfaction with the level of response to the consultation on the Trust’s draft 5-year strategy, which had included:

o  Internal (staff) responses

o  External responses – statutory bodies and Trust members

·  The Trust needed a clear mandate to progress the direction of travel outlined in the draft strategy across the main themes of:

o   The best for patient safety, quality and experience;

o  The best place to work;

o  A specialist provider and centre of excellence for research, education and innovation;

o  Seamless integrated care across organisational boundaries;

o  Financial stability.

·  There was overall support for the direction of travel outlined in the draft strategy, but as this was relatively early on in the process, more detail was needed.

HealthWatch Leeds

The Acting Director of HealthWatch Leeds highlighted the significant use of jargon within the draft strategy – which was not helpful in terms of engaging the wider public.  Concern was also expressed regarding the level of public influence offered by the consultation – given the relatively short consultation period.

Leeds City Council

The Chief Officer Health Partnerships reported that as part of its consultation, the Trust had engaged with a cross-party members group and a number of local Members of Parliament.

The Scrutiny Board discussed the report and the details highlighted at the meeting.  A number of matters were raised, including:

·  General concern regarding:

o  The timing of the consultation;

o  Public accessibility (i.e. the consultation was promoted as web-only access).

o  Ease of access to respond (unique code required);

o  Consideration of the consultation needs of specific groups within the community (i.e. older people, communities where English is a second language, those with limited access to technology and/or skills to use technology).

·  The Trust’s funding, particularly in relation to its ‘teaching hospital’ status.

·  Governance and accountability mechanisms in the Trust – now and in the future.

·  Public knowledge and awareness of what to service to expect when accessing acute care.

·  Public involvement and engagement.

·  Questions around the consultation process and the target audience.

·  Opportunities for singe points of access for the NHS within the City.

·  The role and relationship of the Trust (and other providers) with Leeds’ Health and Wellbeing Board.

·  Reflecting on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 107.

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting an update on the progress of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) towards achieving Foundation Trust status.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report that introduced an update around the progress towards Foundation Trust status of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The following additional information was provided for the Scrutiny Board to consider (Minute 103 refers):

·  Written update from NHS Trust Development Authority

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

·  Julian Hartley (Chief Executive – Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust)

·  Phil Corrigan (Chief Executive – Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group)

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust

In addressing the Scrutiny Board and outlining the Trust’s progress against the previously agreed Recovery Plan, the Chief Executive made a number of points, including:

·  There had been a huge improvement in Accident and Emergency (A&E) treatment/ waiting times.

·  The 18-week referral to treatment target had not yet been achieved consistently across the Trust.  This would be achieved by June 2014.

·  The Trust faced a significant financial challenge that needed to be addressed through a robust 3-year financial strategy.

·  The benefits of being a NHS Foundation Trust included:

o  Through its membership and governance arrangements, the Trust would be more significantly routed in the community.

o  NHS Foundation Trusts are free from central government control.

o  The regulator (Monitor), reported directly to Parliament.

o  Any financial surplus generated by the Trust could be retained and reinvested in service improvement.

Clinical Commissioning Groups

The Chief Executive (Leeds West Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)) outlined the three CCGs across Leeds believed the Trust was approaching its 5-year strategy in the correct way and had confidence in the new approach that included genuine engagement, with a focus on delivery.

The Scrutiny Board discussed the report and the details highlighted at the meeting.  A number of matters were raised, including:

·  The financial legacy of previous decisions associated with the Trust.

·  The Trust’s current estate and how this compared to other Trusts.

·  Queries regarding the Trust’s progress over the past five years and the ‘big obstacles’.

·  Questioned whether the A&E improvements were sustainable (without the additional government funding provided in 2013/14)

·  It was noted the desire to achieve the 18-week referral to treatment target had slipped from January 2014 to June 2014.

The Scrutiny Board also noted the update provided by the NHS Trust Development Authority in respect of LTHT, however concern was expressed in respect of the update around Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust; specifically the departure of the Chief Executive and the outcome of the Care Quality Commission inspection of services delivered at the South Leeds Independence Centre (reported in December 2013) – matters which had not been brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  To note the update and progress reported in respect of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust progress towards NHS Foundation Trust status. 

(b)  To express concern in respect of the update provided by the NHS Trust Development Authority around Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust; specifically the departure of the Chief Executive and the outcome of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 108.

Friday, 28 March 2014 at 10.00am (Pre-meeting for all Board Members at 9.30am)

Friday, 28 March 2014 at 10:00am (with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9:30am).

(The meeting concluded at 1:30pm)