Meeting documents

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs David Jones, Graham Carr-Jones, Steven Lugg and Alison Reed. 

(Note: Cllr David Jones did not attend the meeting as he was a governor of Poole Hospital.)

There were no declarations by members of disclosable pecuniary interests under the Code of Conduct.

Cllr Bill Batty-Smith declared a general interest as his granddaughter was employed by the NHS.

Cllr Peter Shorland declared a general interest as a Governor of Yeovil Hospital.

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2017 were confirmed and signed.

Note: Maternity and Overnight Children’s Service in Dorchester

At this point in the meeting, Tim Goodson, Chief Officer of the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), announced that the CCG intended to work to maintain a consultant-led maternity and overnight children’s service in Dorchester as part of a single maternity and paediatrics service for Dorset.  The retention of services was identified as a result of the conclusion of the Clinical Services Review public consultation.  The delivery of consultant-led maternity services would also seek to be integrated across Dorset County Hospital and Yeovil District Hospital for the Dorset population.

In addition, it was reported that Somerset CCG would also be undertaking a review of clinical services which would include maternity and paediatrics. The future possible configuration across Dorchester and Yeovil would continue to be discussed by both CCGs. 

Dorset CCG’s Governing Body would agree a way forward in the new year, and if a sustainable model was possible then public consultation would be undertaken on the proposals before making any decision.

Patricia Miller, Chief Executive of Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust welcomed the retention of the services at Dorset County Hospital as good news for patients and staff.

Noted

Public Speaking

Three public questions and two public statements were received at the meeting in accordance with Standing Order 21(1) and 21(2).  All public participation at the meeting related to minute 51 in respect of the Clinical Services Review (CSR). The questions, answers and statements are attached as an annexure to these minutes.

Petitions

There were no petitions received at the meeting in accordance with the County Council’s Petition Scheme.

To consider a report by the Transformation Programme Lead for the Adult and Community Services Forward Together Programme (attached).

The Committee received presentations by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and the NHS partners in response to the Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee’s request to make a referral to the Secretary of State (SoS) for Health in respect of the concerns about the Clinical Services Review at its meeting on 13 November 2017, and subsequent consideration of further information at the Joint Health Scrutiny Committee meeting on 12 December 2017. The remit of the referral was about the proposed reduction in the number of acute hospital beds, the reduction in Accident and Emergency services at Poole Hospital, concerns about travel times, confidence in the ambulance service data, and the lack of a clear Equality Impact Assessment or financial plan.

All concerns raised as part of the referral request related to the proposals in respect of the acute hospitals which included:

·         a major emergency hospital (MEH) at Bournemouth with 24/7 consultant led Accident & Emergency (A&E) Department;

·         a major planned hospital at Poole including an Urgent Care Centre 24/7; and,

·         Emergency and planned hospital at Dorchester with retention of A&E services.

Tim Goodson, Chief Officer for the Dorset CCG, also drew attention to his announcement earlier in the meeting on the intention to work to maintain a consultant-led maternity and overnight children’s service in Dorchester as part of a single maternity and paediatrics service for Dorset.

Three public questions and two public statements were received at the meeting under public participation.  The questions, answers and statements are attached as an annexure to these minutes.[APH1] 

Detailed presentations were received in relation to:

Ambulance Travel Times

The presentation focused on the assessment of the proposed changes in the CSR, which included population growth and service demand, and had taken into account the impact on travel times as a result.  The changes would see a transformation of service provision as a whole system plan, and would look to ensure people were taken to the right hospital at the right time which would save lives through the right care being provided at the right place, in addition to reducing the number of transfers between hospitals by ambulance.  Fewer patients who call 999 were taken to hospital these days (over half were treated on-scene) and, of those who were taken, only 1% were deemed to be life threatening cases.   85% of future ambulance journeys could be made in the same or less time than the existing arrangements.  From the remaining 15%, with particular reference to Purbeck, there was a spread of admissions to Dorchester, Bournemouth and further afield to other hospitals depending on the circumstances of the emergency which would see an increase in travel time, but these would be to the most appropriate hospital setting for the patient rather than the closest hospital.

In terms of ambulance waiting times to transfer patients to A&E, the pressure on services was a major concern of the NHS and proposed changes to Royal Bournemouth Hospital would include mitigation through the physical extension of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51.

To answer any questions received in writing by the Chief Executive by not later than 10.00am on 15 December 2017.

No questions were asked by members under Standing Order 20.