Agenda item

To consider the report of the Director of Transformation and Governance on proposals from the NHS or providers of health services to vary or develop health services in the area of the Committee.

Items for Action

a)    Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: Proposed Closure of Willow Ward (inpatient unit for adults with learning disability and challenging behaviour)

Items for Monitoring

b)    Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: Out of Area Beds Update

Written only updates:

c)    Andover Hospital Minor Injuries Unit (Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust and commissioners)

d)    Orthopaedic Trauma Modernisation Pilot (Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust and commissioners)

e)    Integrated Primary Care Access Service (Clinical Commissioning Group Partnership)

a)    Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: Proposed Closure of Willow Ward (inpatient unit for adults with learning disability and challenging behaviour)

The Committee received a letter and briefing note from the Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust regarding the proposed closure of Willow Ward (see Item 9a in the Minute Book). Members heard that the 6 beds at the unit had never been fully occupied and in the last few years occupancy had been around two or three patients. At the current time one patient remained and discussions were underway to agree alternative care plans. The intention was to close the unit, once that patient had been moved to alternative supported living accommodation. Instead of inpatient care, care packages would be developed to support such individuals in other settings in future.  

RESOLVED:

The Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee:

1.    Consider that the engagement undertaken in relation to this service change is appropriate.

2.    Support the proposed closure of Willow Ward and replacement with a community-based service as in the interest of service users and the local health system.

b)    Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust: Out of Area Beds Update

The Committee received an update from the Chief Executive of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust regarding out of area mental health placements (see Item 9b in the Minute Book). Members heard that patients were sometimes treated in beds outside of the Hampshire area if there wasn’t capacity to accommodate them in facilities in Hampshire. The Trust had been working to reduce the number of patients treated outside of Hampshire and there were none in this category on the meeting date.

It was highlighted that some patients were accommodated in beds run by other providers in Hampshire (up to 23 beds contracted from private providers), and these were not counted as Out of Area placements by NHS England. However, the Trust was planning to address it’s inhouse capacity over the next year or so, so that patients being treated by other providers could be reduced.

Members commented that Southern Health had in previous years reduced it’s inpatient bed capacity, and the current reliance on other providers suggested a revised assessment of an appropriate number of beds for the Hampshire population was needed.  

The Chief Executive confirmed that the Trust would be happy to respond to the points raised in the deputation on this topic following receipt of the details.

RESOLVED:

The Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee:

1.    Note the update and welcome the reduction in use of out of area beds.

2.    Note the intention to explore increasing inhouse bed capacity to reduce reliance on other providers, and request a further update when progress has been made in this regard. (written update in January 2021 requested)

c) Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and commissioners:

Andover Hospital Minor Injuries Unit Update

The Committee received a written only update regarding the Minor Injuries Unit at Andover Hospital (see Item 9c in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

The Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee:

1.    Note the update including the planned re-opening of a minor injuries service in Andover from 1 October 2020.

2.    Request a further update in Spring 2021 regarding plans for a more sustainable minor injuries model for the Andover area.

d) Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and commissioners:

Orthopaedic Trauma Modernisation Pilot Update

The Committee received a written only update regarding the Orthopaedic Trauma Modernisation Pilot (see Item 9d in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

The Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee:

1.    Note the update.

2.    Request a further update in Spring 2021.

e) Clinical Commissioning Group Partnership: Integrated Primary Care

Access Service Update

The Committee received a written only update regarding the Integrated Primary Care Access Service in South East Hampshire (see Item 9e in the Minute Book).

RESOLVED:

The Health and Adult Social Care Select Committee:

1.    Note the update.

2.    Request a further update in Spring 2021 regarding longer term plans for these services.