Agenda item

Present for this item: Su Woollard, Transformation Delivery Manager (Vascular), NHS England, Dr Christopher Tibbs, Medical Director, NHS England, Simon Brooks-Sykes, Associate Director Strategy and Population Health, K&M NHS, Tracy Rouse, Director Strategic Change and Population Health, K&M NHS, Nicky Bentley, Director of Strategy and Business Development, EKHUFT, Tom Lovegrove-Bacon, Senior Strategic Development Manager, EKHUFT

Virtually present for this item: Dr Alison Davis, Chief Medical Officer, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Sabahat Hasson, Communication and Engagement Lead, NHS England.

1.    The Chair welcomed the guests and asked them to introduce themselves. The Committee then turned to questions.

2.    A Member asked whether outcomes had improved since elective and emergency services for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) had moved to Kent and Canterbury Hospital in January 2020. Dr Tibbs explained that there had not been enough patients treated to adequately respond, but they were confident that the service had improved as evidenced by a reduced length of stay, a reduced number of people on call, and efficiencies.

3.    A Member asked how the consultation process had engaged with hard-to-reach groups, such as the Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) community. Mr Brooks-Sykes summarised the types of consultation methods used during the 6-week period. These included online surveys, written information, focus groups and workshops. Professional support was provided by an independent organisation who helped reach a diverse range of people, including those who had accessed vascular and related services in the past. One to one interviews had also been conducted along with two focus groups.

4.    Dr Davis gave an example of a direct action that had occurred as a consequence of concerns raised during the public consultation. Transport had been raised as a concern which led to a patient transport group being established for patients and families.

5.    The Committee asked to be provided with a copy of the Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA).

6.    Ms Hasson confirmed a list of the communities and organisations engaged during the public consultation were detailed in the consultation report.*

7.    A Member was concerned about the timing of the staff consultation, to be held 12 December – 10 January 2023, and questioned whether it should be delayed until later in January. Dr Davis provided assurance that staff had been engaged throughout the journey and were aware, and supportive, of the plans.

8.    Medway Foundation Trust was gathering information to understand which staff would be affected by the TUPE process. NHS colleagues were united in their conviction that any further delay would not be welcomed by staff. In addition, Dr Tibbs explained that Medway Hospital’s Vascular services had been unsustainable for some time and any further delay would require additional locum staff to maintain a required level of service.

9.    A Member raised concerns around the impact of industrial action and bank holidays on the statutory timetable for staff consultation. Dr Davis explained the Trust would take into account how industrial action would effect employees and that it would be carried out in a kind and respectful way. She also confirmed that bank holidays were not included in the statutory period, and that the Trust would absolutely meet its statutory duties.

10.The Chair echoed the requirement for the staff consultation and TUPE process to follow the legislation in relation to the impact of industrial action.

11.Dr Davis confirmed not all Medway staff would be affected by the move as some services were staying at the Medway site. She also said there would be wider opportunities once the centre of excellence was established.

12.A Member voiced their concern about a further service being reduced at Medway Hospital but felt that it was the right move for Vascular services. They also welcomed the comprehensive consultation that had been undertaken.

13.Dr Davis confirmed that patients taken care of under a network benefited from better outcomes. Data would be collected, benchmarks compared, and best practice shared to evidence the improved quality of service.

RESOLVED that

i)               the Committee supports the decision of the Kent and Medway Integrated Care Board (ICB) and Specialist Commissioning at NHS England regarding the interim solution for the delivery of vascular services in East Kent and Medway

ii)              the relevant NHS bodies be asked to consider that the TUPE consultation is carried out according to statute whilst taking into account industrial action

*post meeting note: A list of stakeholder and community organisations contacted is listed in Appendix 7 of the attached document: Vascular - Consultation report - Appendices.pdf (kent.gov.uk)