Agenda item

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 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.

(c)  That, on behalf of the Scrutiny Board, the Chair and Principal Scrutiny Adviser explores the circumstances around the information flows to the Scrutiny Board in this specific instance, and more generally across the local Health and Social Care system. 

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

(Councillor E Taylor left the meeting at 1:15pm, during the Scrutiny Board’s consideration of this item.)