Agenda and minutes

The Overview, Scrutiny and Localism Manager informed the Committee that Mr M J Northey had filled the vacancy created by the death of Lord Bruce-Lockhart and Mrs B J Simpson had replaced Mr R A Marsh on the Committee.

(1)         The Overview Scrutiny and Localism Manager informed the Committee that following the death of Lord Bruce-Lockhart Mr B Cope had been identified as the Chairman designate for the Committee.  Unfortunately, Mr Cope was currently unwell and unable to attend the meeting.  Mr Fittock, the Vice-Chairman, was unable to attend the meeting. 

(2)         It was therefore proposed that a Chairman should be elected for the meeting.  Mr Tolputt proposed, Mr Northey seconded that Mr G A Horne, MBE be elected Chairman for the meeting.

Carried without a vote

(Mr G A Horne, MBE presiding)

The Committee stood in silence as a mark of respect for the late Lord Bruce-Lockhart, Chairman of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

RESOLVED that subject to Mr Tolputt being recorded as having been present at the meeting, the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 July 2008 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

RESOLVED that the Committee endorse the letter of support which had been sent to the East Kent Hospital’s Trust by the Overview, Scrutiny and Localism Manager following consultation with the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Liberal Democrat Spokesman.

9 January

6 February

20 March

1 May

17 July

4 September

16 October

27 November

The Committee agreed to its meeting dates in 2009 as follows:-

Friday, 9 January

Friday, 6 February

Friday, 20 March

Friday, 1 May

Friday, 17 July

Friday, 4 September

Friday, 16 October

Friday, 27 November

All meetings to start at 10.00 am.

(Ms A Sutton, Chief Executive, Dr Sandro Limentani, Director of Public Health, Ms Sheila Pitt, Director of Practice-based Commissioning, Mrs Lynne Selman, Director of Citizen Engagement and Communications, of the Eastern & Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust, Mr S Bain, Chief Executive, Ms Liz Shutler, Director of Strategic Development and Service Improvement, of the East Kent Hospitals Trust, Mrs L Sencicle and Mr R Hansell, former Patient and Public Involvement Forum representatives, Councillor P Heath, Cabinet Member for Health, Well Being and Public Protection, Councillor J Hood and Mr N Aziz, Chief Executive, of Dover District Council, Mr G Prosser, Member for Parliament for Dover, Kenneth Cobb, Transport Integration Manager, and Martyn Ayre, Senior Policy Manager, from Kent County Council, were in attendance for this item)

         (1)    Further to Minute 19 of 2008 the Committee returned to the issue of Dover Healthcare following the resolution approved by the Committee on 9 May:-

         “That the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Kent County Council strongly recommend and support East Kent Hospital’s Trust working closely with the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust and Dover District Council to locate a central site in Dover for the Community Hospital Services for the population of Dover and the surrounding areas.  This proposal to be delivered to the East Kent Hospital’s Trust by the end of August 2008.  This third option to be considered and evaluated alongside options 1 and 2 concerning the Buckland Hospital site.”

         (2)    The Committee had before them a background briefing paper prepared by the Committee’s Research Officer. 

         (3)    The Committee also had a briefing paper received from the Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust which set out from the Trust’s perspective:-

         (a)    a summary of actions taken since the 9 May 2008 meeting of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee;

         (b)    the practice-based commissioning intentions/opportunities to bring back services to Dover before the new hospital is developed;

         (c)     the process for arriving at a hospital site recommendation and criteria for selection;

         (d)    other relevant information including on-going stakeholder/public engagement; and

         (e)    some operational next steps dependent upon the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s decision/recommendation. 

         (4)    Attached to the briefing note was:-

         (a)    a diary of events/public engagement undertaken; 

         (b)    some frequently asked questions with the answers;

         (c)     Dover District Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee recommendations;

         (d)    the Health Equity Audit;

         (e)    the criteria for selecting sites;

         (f)      the long list of site options; and

         (g)    the practice-based commission intentions.

         (5)    The Committee also had before them:-

         (a)    a statement from Mrs L Sencicle, a member of the former Eastern and Coastal Kent Primary Care Trust Patient and Public Involvement Forum.  Mrs Sencicle had referred the issue of Dover Healthcare to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee prior to the dissolution of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum at the end of March 2008;

         (b)    a statement from Mr R Hansell;

         (c)     a letter from the Chairman and Clinical Lead for Dover and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.