Agenda and minutes

The Vice-Chairman in the Chair opened the meeting and on behalf of Medway Members, expressed their condolences at the sad passing of Mr Michael Snelling, Chairman on the Kent and Medway NHS Joint Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Cllr W Purdy proposed and Mr A Willicombe seconded that Mr C Smith be elected Chairman.

Carried Unanimously.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 July 2012 are correctly recorded and that they be signed by the Chairman.

David Tamsitt (Director Acute Services, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust), Lauretta Kavanagh (Kent and Medway Director of Commissioning for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, NHS Kent and Medway), Rosarii Harte (Assistant Medical Director – Acute Services, Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust), Dr Peter Green (Chief Clinical Officer, Medway Clinical Commissioning Group), Helen Buckingham (Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Whole Systems Commissioning, NHS Kent and Medway), Patricia Davies (Accountable Officer (designate), Swale CCG), Sara Warner (Assistant Director Citizen Engagement, NHS Kent and Medway), and Dr Pete Sudbury (National Clinical Advisory Team) were in attendance for this item.

(a)       The Chairman introduced the item and welcomed the Committee’s guests. He then drew attention to an additional paper from Medway Members of the Committee which had been circulated just prior to the meeting. It contained additional information along with concerns and questions to be raised. The question was asked why the paper had only been made available prior to the meeting. It was explained that information required to produce the paper had only been received the week before and it had taken until the morning of the meeting to produce the report. Due to the lack of time available to read the paper and properly evaluate its contents, the Chairman determined that it could not be considered at the meeting.

(b)       NHS representatives were invited to introduce the item. It was explained to Members that the NHS representatives present at the meeting would endeavour to explain how the four tests the Secretary of State for Health had laid down for service reconfigurations had been met. This was also evidenced in the information supplied in advance and present in the Agenda. These tests were: ensuring appropriate patient choice; support of GP commissioners; adequate patient and public engagement; and a good clinical evidence base. It was also explained that the proposals for change outlined in the Agenda would be presented to the NHS Kent and Medway board meeting on 20 February and at the board meeting of Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) shortly after that.

(c)        Dr Pete Sudbury was also introduced. He was not part of the team who developed the proposals and was one of the external scrutineers who had commented on them. It was explained that he would be able to provide an independent perspective.

(d)       An overview of the case for change was presented. NHS representatives explained that it had been developed over a long period of time with ongoing engagement. The core issue was that the NHS could not guarantee effective treatment and the quality of care at Medway A-block. The excellent work which KMPT staff did was recognised, but it was not sustainable to continue with the service as it was. Medway A-block saw a much higher proportion of serious incidents than comparable facilities and there had recently been a rise in incidents of aggression. It was commented that the ongoing uncertainty about the future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

It was agreed that the date of the next meeting would be determined as soon as possible.