Agenda item

Liz Shutler (Director of Strategic Development and Capital Planning, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust), Rachel Jones (Director of Strategy & Business Development, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust), Hazel Carpenter (Accountable Officer, NHS South Kent Coast CCG and NHS Thanet CCG) and Bill Millar (Chief Operating Officer, NHS Ashford CCG and NHS Canterbury & Coastal CCG) were in attendance for this item.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed the guests to the Committee. Ms Shutler introduced the item and proceeded to give a presentation which covered the following key points:

·         Challenges and pressures faced by the Trust

·         Future care models

·         Consultation and engagement

·         Proposed next steps

(2)       Members of the Committee then proceeded to ask a series of questions and make a number of comments. A Member enquired about engagement with hard to reach groups such as people who are housebound, homeless, part of the gypsy and traveller community and have speech and language difficulties. Ms Jones explained that the Trust was working with Healthwatch Kent to engage with hard to reach groups. She acknowledged that there was not one model for engagement and the Trust was using a variety of methods. Mr Inettt stated that he welcomed the opportunity to work with the Trust following Healthwatch Kent’s concerns with the outpatients’ consultation. Healthwatch Kent had been involved early on with the strategy. The Trust was working with local people to help them understand the challenges and develop options for the local population. He noted that hard to reach groups would be identified in the Equality Impact Assessment and Healthwatch Kent would utilise existing support groups to target them.

(3)       The Chairman invited a local Member, Mr Bowles, to speak. Mr Bowles stated that the Faversham Local Engagement Forum would be keen to engage with the Trust regarding their clinical strategy.

(4)       A number of comments were made about the recruitment of GPs and medical staff. Ms Shutler explained that three GP practices would be based at the new Buckland Hospital.  The co-location of acute and primary care services would make it more attractive for training and new GPs as they would be able to work alongside acute physicians. She noted that there was a shortage of junior doctors and nurses; the Trust had had to use specialist doctors to fill vacant junior doctor and nurse positions. The Trust was continuing to recruit and was moving towards a more sustainable position. She stressed the importance of utilising the current workforce as there were pressures in the system. Ms Carpenter stated that the development of Integrated Care Organisations in Thanet and the South Kent Coast would be attractive to future GPs.

(5)       A Member enquired about a press release regarding proposals for 60 recovery beds to be located on the new Buckland Hospital site. Ms Shutler explained that the Trust had not made a decision about building recovery beds on the site; they were exploring options with CCGs, social services and stakeholders. Ms Carpenter stated that the CCG was not looking at a specific number of beds rather they were focusing on accommodation.

(6)       In response to a specific question about demographic growth in the new Chilmington Green development in Ashford, Mr Millar explained that the CCG had been working together with local practices, the community network and the planning authorities. He noted that there was an opportunity for practices to bid for a tranche of the Primary Care Infrastructure Fund which was being used to accelerate improvements in GP premises and infrastructure. Ms Shutler stated that the Trust worked closely with the planning authority with regards to new housing developments and population growth. She acknowledged that the Trust needed to ensure they were providing for the correct capacity.

(7)       A number of comments were made about Monitor and the Trust’s marketing.  Ms Shutler stated that the Trust had agreed an action plan with Monitor which was updated and published on the website. The Trust had a monthly meeting with Monitor, CQC and CCGs; she stated that the Trust had appointed an Improvement Director and progress was being made against the plan. She explained that the local press were not always keen to publish good news stories.

 (8)      RESOLVED that:

(a)        there be on-going engagement between East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and HOSC as plans are developed.

(b)        East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust presents a report to a meeting of the Committee in April.