The Joint Committee met on Wednesday February 20, at County Hall, Chichester. Its job is to examine the NHS Fit for the Future proposals by West Sussex and Brighton & Hove City Primary Care Trusts (PCTs).
The meeting examined the PCTs’ consultation and engagement process to date, the Health Impact Assessment and public health perspective, the next steps to be taken in the Fit for the Future process and written evidence from West Sussex County Council Leader Henry Smith.
The Joint Committee heard evidence from Steven Pollock, West Sussex PCT Director of Communications and Patient and Public Involvement; Brian Hughes, West Sussex PCT Fit for the Future Programme Director; Dr Farhang Tahzib, Director of Public Health and Well-being, and Catherine Scott, West Sussex PCT Associate Director of Public Health.
Some of the issues raised were:
- The Committee raised concerns over on-going lack of clarity from the PCT on exactly what services would be included in each of the six options short listed by Sir Graeme Catto’s Panel. In particular the PCT’s definitions of A&E and Maternity Services were sought. The PCT confirmed that, should the number of births at a midwife led unit become greater, then the viability of a consultant led unit would be assessed.
- There were ongoing concerns over the lack of any detail on West Sussex PCT’s plans for the development of community services as outlined in ‘Breath of Fresh Air’. This was felt to be particularly important as the Fit for the Future proposals depend on the expansion of community and primary care.
- The Committee heard that the West Sussex PCT Board had agreed to a separate review of health services in the north east of West Sussex, to be chaired by Sir Graeme Catto. Committee members were concerned that the outcomes of this review would not be ready in time to feed into the final decision on Fit for the Future this July and that it might create further public uncertainty in the area.
- The Committee noted that the PCT had listened to feedback from the public consultation process and responded accordingly, for example with the development of new options, but the Committee wanted to know how the PCT Non Executive Directors would have access to all consultation feedback, and not just a selection.
Joint Committee Chairman Peter Griffiths said: “As a Committee we felt it important the PCT properly takes on board and uses the comments of the thousands of responses to the public consultation in making their decision and we want assurances on how they will be doing this.”
The next meeting of the Joint Committee will focus on the West Sussex Maternity Service Model. The Committee will also hear the views from West Sussex MPs, District and Borough Councils, the West Sussex PCT Independent Patient and Public Involvement Forum, and feedback from the West Sussex County Local Committees.
The meeting takes place on Wednesday March 5, at County Hall, Chichester, starting at 9.30am.
Notes to editors
A Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (JHOSC) is formed when NHS proposals affect more than one area and in this case comprises those local authorities consulted by the West Sussex and Brighton & Hove PCTs. The JHOSC has the power to scrutinise the proposals, make recommendations to the PCTs and if not satisfied by their response, to refer the disputed issues to the Secretary of State for Health.
Reference:
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