Agenda item

To consider a report on issues brought to the attention of the Committee which impact upon the planning, provision and/or operation of health services within Hampshire, or the Hampshire population.

a)    Independent Review of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

b)    Care Quality Commission Inspection – Maternity Services (Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

c)    Care Quality Commission Inspection – Safeguarding (South Central Ambulance Service)

d)    Dental Services Update – (NHS England/Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board)

a)    Independent Review of Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust

The Committee received an update on the Trust’s action plan following the Stage 2 Independent Investigation and heard how improvements against specific actions had been implemented.

Members’ attention was drawn to the way in which the Trust were handling complaints and holding conversations internally with clinicians to ascertain an understanding of the situation which had lead to the complaint. Furthermore, the management of incidents had been overhauled entirely and was under close, regular scrutiny from clinicians and Board members. 

The Committee heard that the Trust were almost at the point of signing off the action plan with the Integrated Care Board and were hoping that this would be possible within the next month having recently submitted evidence.

In response to Members’ questions, it was noted that:

·         Honest and open conversations and acceptance of liability were key factors that had been woven into the Trust’s culture. The Trust would keep challenging themselves to ensure that this continued.

·         In presenting the next update to the Committee, any changes would be highlighted bold within the report and some evidence based examples of the work conducted would be provided.

·         The process of the Independent Review and the tragic events which led to it had had an impact on staff over the years and a number of staff were still working through this at the current time with support.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee welcomes the actions the Trust has taken to date in response to the recommendations made in the Independent Investigation Report.

ii)    That the Committee request that the Trust attend the March HASC meeting in 2023 to provide an update once the action plan has been signed off by the ICB.

b)    Care Quality Commission Inspection – Maternity Services (Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust)

Members received an update from Hampshire Hospitals following their CQC inspection in November 2021 and actions against the improvement plan within Maternity Services.

It was noted that 41 actions were complete with 20 on track and 2 at risk of being overdue. Members were updated on e-learning completion rates, domestic abuse screening (which was possible to track via the Badger Notes app) and new standard operating procedures for equipment testing amongst other updates. The Trust’s ambition for community hubs was welcomed – these being a ‘one stop shop’ for antenatal and postnatal clinics, breastfeeding support and other services. Work on establishing the hubs was progressing.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee note the work undertaken to respond to the action plan and request to be notified once all actions are complete.

c)    Care Quality Commission Inspection – Safeguarding (South Central Ambulance Service)

The Committee considered an update from SCAS following their CQC inspection in November 2021 and actions in regard to safeguarding improvements which had been identified as part of the inspection.

Members noted the work undertaken to the safeguarding IT system and safeguarding policies and close monitoring via internal reviews. The Committee were concerned at the slow rate of staff undertaking their safeguarding level 3 training. The Trust confirmed that there were challenges in balancing staff working on the frontline alongside attending training days but recognised the importance of the training and committed to improving the training rate. The Committee also sought reassurance from SCAS as to whether completion of safeguarding level 3 training was a requirement of professional re-registration for some of their workforce.

In response to Members’ questions, it was confirmed that:

·         Community First Responders were required to undertake safeguarding level 2.

·         SCAS’s safeguarding duty began from the moment an ambulance was called and continued through to the moment the patient was discharged or transferred to another service.

·         Level 3 safeguarding training could be undertaken as part of a face-to-face session or remotely via e-learning.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee note the work undertaken to date against the action plan and request a further update at the HASC meeting in March 2023.

d)    Dental Services Update – (NHS England/Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board)

The Committee received an update from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (ICB) regarding the challenges in accessing dental services.

The national picture regarding shortages in NHS dentists, NHS dental nurses and the resultant challenges in accessing NHS dental services for patients was recognised. The ICB confirmed that they were linking with Hampshire MP’s to raise the issue of the national dentistry contract restrictions and also to look at proposals for developing dentist training in the South region. The Committee were supportive of the suggestion that, if no progress had been made come the March HASC meeting, the Chairman would write to local MP’s setting out the difficulties faced by Hampshire residents and lobbying for political support to amend the national contract.

The lack of incentives for dentists to work within the NHS was noted, including an additional year of training which was not required to enter into private practice.

There was a question which was not able to be asked due to time constraints and was submitted via email. The question and response is appended to these minutes.

RESOLVED:

i)     That the Committee recognises that access to dental services is an ongoing national issue and continue to monitor this from a Hampshire perspective via regular updates.

ii)    That the Committee request a further update at the HASC meeting in March 2023.