Agenda item

Steve Emerton (Executive Director of Strategy and Business Development, SECAmb) and Ray Savage (Strategy and Partnerships Manager (Kent & Medway, and East Sussex), SECAmb) were in attendance for this item.

(1)       The Chair welcomed the guests to the Committee. Mr Emerton began explaining that the Trust’s new board was now in place and responding to CQC findings which had placed the organisation in special measures. He stated that the Trust had implemented the new Ambulance Response Programme (ARP) in November 2017. He noted the Trust was currently unable to consistently meet its performance targets particularly for Category 3 & 4. He; patients in these categories who were waiting for long periods of time due to vehicles being diverted to Category 1 & 2 calls. Mr Emerton reported that a demand and capacity review with commissioners was near completion to determine the workforce and resources required to enable the Trust to be fully compliant with standards and targets.

(2)       Members asked about Category 1T performance and vehicle dispatch.  Mr Emerton explained that whilst Category 1T was not a national performance measure, it was a metric used by the Trust to monitor whether an automated dispatch vehicle had the correct resources to transport a patient to hospital. Mr Savage noted that a key element of the ARP was that call handlers had more time to assess the call before dispatching the right resource for Category 2 patients.

(3)       A Member enquired if there was a system in place to text callers with updates during periods of high demand. Mr Emerton explained that the Trust did call people back and stated the importance of managing expectations and mitigating risk of harm during periods of high demand.  He noted that for calls from residential care homes which had a no lift policy, trained call-handlers would call back to implement processes to reduce risk of harm which included moving patients so that they would be more comfortable and providing them with fluids and medications.

(4)       In response to a specific question about the Kent & Medway Stroke Review, Mr Savage stated that whilst any service change where travel time increased would place a demand on the Trust; the Trust had modelled its ability to get to the patient and then to each of the proposed sites within 60 minutes. Mr Emerton confirmed that the Trust would be able to service all the proposed options.  Mr Savage noted the demand & capacity review had taken the stroke review into account.

(5)       Members enquired about traffic congestion particularly the impact of Sturry railway crossing. Mr Savage noted that traffic was an issue, but blue lights and sirens enabled the Trust’s fleet to make progress and move quicker than other vehicles. He reiterated that real time travel was used as part of modelling for the stroke review and the Trust had confidence in the modelling. He stated that he could not provide the amount of travel time lost if the Sturry Crossing was closed but assured Members that extensive modelling using real time travel from the Thanet area to the proposed stroke sites had been undertaken. 

(6)       Mr Inett commented about handover delays. Mr Emerton stated that handover delays caused a disproportionate challenge to the Trust. He noted that a jointly commissioned project to reduce handover delays and provide single oversight had begun to gain traction; the Trust had seen an improved Category 2 performance resulting in a reduction in handover delays during the previous week.  Mr Savage noted that he was involved in the project’s task & finish group which brought together the acute trust’s chief operating officers  to share best practice and put in processes to reduce handover delays. He reported that there were signs of improvement.

(7)       The Chair concluded by enquiring about resourcing. Mr Emerton stated that through the demand & capacity review, the Trust had been able to quantify the additional resources to meet demand in terms of workforce and vehicles. He noted that a proportion of the calls did not require a 999 response and were able to be dealt through Hear & Treat which reduced A&E attendance.  He reported that the Trust was involved in local care modelling to ensure alternative care pathways were utilised.

(8)       RESOLVED that the report be noted and SECAmb be requested to provide an update at the appropriate time.