To consider a briefing note relating to Bedford Hospital NHS Trust’s Transforming for Excellence Programme.  The Committee is asked to consider whether the implications of the programme represent a substantial variation in services and whether a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee is required.

This item is scheduled for 20 minutes.

The Committee received a report relating to Bedford Hospital NHS Trust’s Transforming for Excellence programme (TfE).  In addition to the report Mr Paul Tisi, the Associate Medical Director, stated that there were would be no radical change as a result of the TfE programme, the aim was to improve quality of care whilst improving efficiency.  The Committee were informed that there were three key workstreams:-

1.            clinical effectiveness;

2.            workforce and operational support; and

3.            business unit delivery.

It was commented that as a result of the proposals and specifically ward reconfigurations it was proposed that 26 beds would no longer be needed.  There would be no reduction in the level of service delivered as a result of this reduction.

In response to the issues highlighted in the report and the clarification provided by the Associate Medical Director and the Chief Operating Officer Members raised and discussed the following issues in detail:-

·        The discharge lounge at the hospital would only be used in appropriate circumstances.  It was recognised that waiting in the lounge was not appropriate for all patients.

·        The importance of ensuring that wards were staffed appropriately and that standards of nursing care were monitored.

·        Concerns that issues in relation to hospital discharge had been prevalent for a considerable period of time and improvements had not been made.  Members noted that the sub-acute unit had opened in October/November 2011 in order to improve complex discharges.

·        Whether there were opportunities for the Council and the hospital to work in partnership and for funding to be awarded to the Council in order to prevent people having to attend hospital.

·        The importance of being mindful that Bedford was one of only 6 hospitals that discharged into the Central Bedfordshire area.

·        It was not clear whether the Healthier Together programme, that was presently reviewing the delivery of acute services throughout the South East Midlands, would have an impact on the hospital resulting in further necessary changes in the future.

·        The importance of effective communication with patients in relation to any proposed ward changes.

·        The NHS Hospital Trust did not believe the proposals constituted a substantial variation in service.

·        The proposals did not provide any timescales for the delivery of the workstreams.  The Committee were informed these would be agreed following the feedback from recent consultation and could be included in any updates provided to the Committee.

Following discussion the Committee noted that Bedford Borough Council were due to receive the same briefing at their meeting on 17 April 2012.  If the Committee felt that the programme constituted a substantial variation of service a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee would be required with Bedford Borough Council.  Members were minded to agree that this was not a substantial variation of service and that a formal consultation was not required.  Members did however agree in principal that if Bedford Borough Council felt a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was necessary they would also take part.  If a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee was not felt to be necessary Members wished to receive regular updates.

RESOLVED

That in principal the Committee would agree to establish a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee if, following their consideration of the matter, Bedford Borough Council felt that it was necessary.