Agenda item

Glynis Alexander (Deputy Director of Communications and Citizen Engagement,NHS Kent and Medway), Dr John Allingham (Medical Secretary, Kent Local Medical Committee), Helen Buckingham (Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Whole System Commissioning,NHS Kent and Medway), Ann Judges, (Maternity Lead, NHS Kent and Medway), Lindsey Stevens (Head of Midwifery, East Kent Hospitals NHS University Foundation Trust) and Sara Warner (Assistant Director Citizen Engagement, NHS Kent and Medway) were in attendance for this item.

Michael Lyons declared a personal interest in this item as a Governor of East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust.

(1)       The Chairman introduced the item by thanking the five Members of the informal HOSC Liaison Group who had continued to work with the NHS in East Kent on the review. He reminded the Committee that the focus for the meeting was on the consultation process itself, and that this had been formally launched that morning. Members had been provided with copies of the full consultation document at the start of the meeting. Demographic information about the ethnicity of mothers in East Kent had also been made available to Members at the start of the meeting in response to a specific request made by a Member of the HOSC Liaison Group.

(2)       Those Members of the HOSC Liaison group who were present for the meeting were each given the opportunity to speak first, and all took the chance to thank the NHS for the opportunity to comment on the draft consultation document. One Member felt that more stress could have been given on the retention of ante and post-natal clinics at both Canterbury and Dover. Another Member commented that most suggestions had been incorporated, though another Member regretted that the original Option 1 as presented in the report to HOSC on 9 September was no longer included.  In addition, Mr Collor explained that an Overview and Scrutiny Committee at Dover District Council had already met and made recommendations to the NHS, copies of which had been provided to the Chairman of the Committee.

(3)       One area of interest to Members was the timing and location of the 8 public events listed in the consultation document and there was concern that the timings and locations would not be sufficient to reach the intended audience. A case was made in particular for an additional meeting in Ramsgate. In response, representatives from the NHS explained that the timings and locations had been discussed with parents and parents-to-be as part of the pre-engagement process. Clinicians were going to be available at all the scheduled public meetings. It was also explained that the NHS would be present at 47 other events and that the consultation process was long enough so that if there was judged to be enough interest, further meetings could be scheduled. They were also happy to respond to invitations from any interested groups. In addition, a wide-ranging advertising and marketing campaign involving the local media had been organised.

(4)       The Members of the Committee were also keen to ensure information on the Consultation was made widely available so that everyone who would wish to would have the opportunity. In terms of making the consultation document available, representatives from the NHS explained that 2,000 full versions had been printed, along with 10,000 summary versions. These were to be made available in libraries, children’s centres and community centres. 50 copies were also being sent to each GP practice. Dr Allingham observed that the number was about right for his surgery to be able to make a copy available to each expectant mother, but there were larger practices which may appreciate greater supplies.

(5)       Queries were raised over the figures used about births on page 9 of the consultation document as they did not appear to match up. Representatives from the NHS felt that they may represent different time periods, but they also undertook to clarify the figures and make this information available to the Committee.

(6)       In response to a number of specific questions, it was explained that there was no national review of maternity service underway, but there were others in the South East Coast region, and a teleconference to share learning between them had been scheduled. In addition, the results of the largest birthplace study in the world had been awaited since August and it was now anticipated in October.

(7)       The Chairman thanked the guests for their valuable contributions.

(8)       AGREED that the Committee thank the members of the informal HOSC Liaison Group for their valuable work in recent months and that the report be noted.