Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Dr. McMahon welcomed everyone and explained the format of the meeting.  Dr. Anne-Marie Houlder, who will be taking over as Chair of Stafford and Surrounds CCG from Dr. Margaret Jones, was introduced to the Board.  The Chairman explained that he had agreed to a TV crew filming some of the meeting for a news item.

There were no declarations of interest.

Resolved – That the minutes of the previous meeting be approved and signed by the Chairman.

Resolved – That there were no matters arising.

The Chairman introduced representatives from the Mid Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust Special Administrators (TSA), Alan Bloom and Gill Cooksley, who presented the TSA’s recommendations. 

It was stressed that the proposals had been developed in consultation with Cannock Chase CCG, Stafford and Surrounds CCG, a national medical group and a senior nursing group and that the recommendations are clinically safe and aid the recruitment and retention of staff.

The recommendations would see the following services at Stafford Hospital:

• Outpatients (medical/surgical specialities)
• Pre and post natal care
• Day case chemotherapy
• Step down beds
• Diagnostics
• Day cases
• Enhanced intermediate care
• 14/7 consultant-led A&E
• Acute medicine
• 14/7 Paediatric assessment service
• Rapid access/urgent appointment daily outpatient clinics
• Level 2 Critical care with temp step-up/retrieval with anaesthetic cover
• 14/7 Frail elderly assessment unit
• Short stay and planned urgent surgery.

The recommendations would see the removal of:

• Non elective surgery
• Paediatric inpatients
• Obstetrics
• Level 3 Critical care
• Complex surgical and medical care.

The recommendations would see the following services at Cannock Hospital:

• Outpatients (medical/surgical specialities)
• Diagnostics
• Day cases
• Enhanced intermediate care
• Elective surgery.

The recommendations would see the removal of:

• Renal satellite service
• Minor injuries unit

It was explained that 91% of patient attendance would be retained under the proposals.

It was stressed that although the theories had been tested with potential providers and expressions of interest received to provide the services, no contracts had yet been awarded.

Members were informed that one of the TSA’s hopes is that the proposals will reduce the £20million deficit to £8.5million in the first three years.

The TSA understand the concern that the uncertainty is causing for hospital staff and residents but that a thorough consultation is required and will continue until 1^st October 2013.  Some of the consultation events have resulted in the facts and figures used to be challenged and some are now being re-examined.  Some members of the public at consultation events have been very vocal and the TSA hopes that others don’t feel intimidated and put off contributing to the consultation by the louder, very vocal members of the public.

The Chairman invited questions from the Board members.

• Whilst the need to reduce the financial deficit requires change, the effects of the proposed changes on the community needs to be considered.  There are 1800 births in Stafford, 10000 new homes due to be built and returning forces personnel and their families due to arrive soon.  Until the community are reassured that Wolverhampton and Stoke hospitals can provide a better service, the proposals won’t be accepted by residents.

The TSA are aware of the strong feelings towards maternity services at Stafford Hospital, however a range of issues have led to the proposal to remove obstetrics:

• Stafford is one of the smallest units in the country.
• New housing and MOD staff are unlikely to significantly increase demand for obstetric services.
• No providers were prepared to provide either obstetrics or a midwife-led unit.
• There is a lot of choice of alternative locations at which to give birth.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

It was reported that all represented organisations now had a link to the Health and Wellbeing Board strategy with the exception of Tamworth District Council.

Lots of small scale activities are taking place and Healthwatch are attending TSA events to try to engage with interested members of the public. 

Press releases have been issued and social media activity taken place focusing on key messages and trying to tailor messages by locality.

The number of responses is not very high but the quality of responses has been very good.

It is hoped that the county wide event will capture comments from professionals and other stakeholders.

A discussion took place as to whether to launch phase 2. 

Resolved – To re-consider launching phase 2 until the September meeting.

What progress has been made for joint decision making with Stoke Health and Wellbeing Board?

The Chair of Stoke Health and Wellbeing Board has been approached but not yet responded, however, senior officers from both Health and Wellbeing Boards’ areas are engaged.

Robert  Marshall agreed to make a 2^nd approach to the Chair of Stoke Health and Wellbeing Board.

A discussion took place regarding the workload at the October meeting.

Resolved – That SOG and the Co-Chairs look at the issues and bring back a revised meeting schedule.

Members were encouraged to use and promote the central email address so that all incoming information can be filtered through appropriately.

4pm, 10^th October 2013, South Staffordshire Council