Agenda item

Simon Perks (Accountable Officer, NHS Ashford CCG and NHS Canterbury & Coastal CCG) and Hazel Carpenter (Accountable Officer, NHS South Kent Coast CCG and NHS Thanet CCG) were in attendance for this item.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed the guests to the Committee. Hazel Carpenter began by outlining the new national planning guidance which requires the NHS to develop five year Sustainability and Transformation Plans (STPs) by June 2016. She explained that there would be a STP for Kent and Medway and the East Kent Strategy Board would oversee the development of the plan for the East Kent population which would align and link to the Kent and Medway STP. She noted that the reviews of stroke and vascular services in Kent and Medway were key elements of work already underway. She stated that there would be public consultation on the strategy for East Kent following the submission of the STP in June 2016. She noted that complex work was being undertaken in East Kent around the emerging clinical models and the development of service options including the co-location of adjacent services; prior to the submission of the STP, the plan would be sent to the Kent, Surrey & Sussex Clinical Senate for approval. She reported that a public engagement group had been established which was chaired by Clive Hart, Lay Member for Public Engagement, NHS Thanet CCG. 

(2)       Members of the Committee then proceeded to make a number of comments about the inclusion of growth in the STP and presenting updates to local Health and Wellbeing Boards (HWBs). Ms Carpenter stated that the CCGs were beginning to proactively work with borough and district councils to understand and influence new developments. Mr Perks reported that the new developments provided a unique opportunity, which must be taken advantage of, to integrate health and social care in the community through provision in patients’ homes or in local facilities such as Whitstable Medical Practice led by Dr Ribchester. A Member requested that elected Members be kept informed about health’s role in new housing developments.  Mr Perks noted that a briefing paper had been circulated to local HWBs but it would timely to present an update. He stated that local HWBs and Community Networks provided a valuable opportunity for the CCGs to share their thinking and gain insight from their local community.

(3)       In response to a specific question about the Committee’s role in the timeline, Ms Carpenter explained that the Case for Change would be finalised by the end of Easter and highlight the financial and quality challenges in each locality; the emerging options and detailed content would be developed by the end of April.

(4)       RESOLVED that the report be noted and the East Kent Accountable Officers be requested:

(a)       to submit a written update detailing the Case for Change for the Committee’s meeting on 8 April;

(b)       to liaise with colleagues and arrange for a verbal presentation on the Kent and Medway Sustainability and Transformation Plan to be presented to the Committee on 8 April;

(c)        to arrange an informal meeting with Members in early May and present a formal update to the Committee on 3 June about the strategy for East Kent.