Agenda item

Stuart Bain (Chief Executive, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust), Julia Bournes (Head of Outpatients, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust), Mary Tunbridge (Divisional Director for Clinical Support Services, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust) and Simon Perks (Accountable Officer, NHS Canterbury & Coastal CCG) were in attendance for this item.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed the guests to the Committee. Ms Tunbridge began by giving an update on East Kent Outpatients Consultation. The outcome of the consultation was discussed at the East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust (EKHUFT) Board in June 2014 and NHS Canterbury & Coastal CCG Governing Body in July 2014. Both the Board and Governing Body agreed to implement the new outpatient strategy at their respective meetings.

(2)       Following the decision to implement the strategy, mobilisation of the strategy had commenced.  A number of developments were outlined including the opening of the new Dover Hospital in March 2015 and the implementation of extended working days and Saturday clinics. Further engagement would be undertaken through NHS Canterbury & Coastal CCG’s proposed community networks. 

(3)       The Chairman invited Mr Gates and Mr Bowles, local Members, to speak. Mr Gates highlighted a letter circulated to the Committee by Save Faversham Hospitals which asked the Committee to recommend that the decision be deferred until the town Community Networks were in place and local health needs had been identified.

(4)       Mr Bowles stated he disagreed with decision to implement the outpatient strategy. He raised concerns about the centralisation of services and the Trust’s decision to subsidise public transport.

(5)       Mr Bain responded to the comments made by the local Members. He stated that facilities were poor at the 15 outpatients’ sites. The delivery of services at six fit for purpose sites would increase capacity with extended opening hours and Saturday clinics. It would also enable patients to receive their assessment, diagnostic tests and treatment plan on the same day at a one stop clinic.He stated that Kent was a challenging area to serve with its rural populations; some patients would face difficulty in reaching services wherever they were located. 80% of patients would access outpatients’ services in a car either by driving themselves or being driven by a relative or carer. The Trust had been in detailed negotiations with Stagecoach to subsidise £450,000 of public transport to improve access.

(6)       Miss Harrison reminded Members that she had  attended the two option appraisals for the North Kent site on behalf of the Committee. She stated that the process was extremely fair with no bias in favour or against a particular site.

(7)       Dr Eddy enquired about the transfer of outpatient services from Deal Hospital to Buckland Hospital. It was explained that acute services would move after the opening of Buckland Hospital in March 2015. The services would transfer as quickly as possible. The Scrutiny Research Officer agreed to arrange a meeting with Dr Eddy and NHS South Kent Coast CCG to discuss the future of services at Deal Hospital.

(8)       RESOLVED that the Trust be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and the update provided on the progress of the Board's plans for Outpatient Services in Kent and that they be invited to submit a progress report to the Committee within six months.