Report of Chief Executive (attached)

At the meeting representatives from NHS Southend CCG and the Hospital Trust will be attending the meeting to provide an update on the consultation and answer Members’ questions.

The Committee considered a report of the Chief Executive which advised that the CCG are currently consulting on proposals to change the service restriction policy with regard to In Vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Southend-on-Sea. The consultation runs from 26^th July – 26^th October 2017.

The Chairman welcomed the following health representatives to the meeting for this item:-

·                Dr Jose Garcia Lobera – Chair, NHS Southend CCG

·                Mr Ian Stidston – Accountable Officer, NHS Southend CCG

·                Dr Krishna Chaturvedi – Clinical Executive Committee Chair, NHS Southend CCG

·                Mr Matt Rangue – Chief Nurse, NHS Southend CCG

The Committee received a detailed presentation on the proposals and received an update on the consultation responses to date, including:-

·                Rationale for proposal and are reviewing all services which are commissioned;

·                CCG has to make £18.2m worth of savings;

·                Referred to NICE guidelines and NHS Commissioning Guidance;

·                CCG’s need to take account of the needs of the population overall;

·                Outlined current clinically based service restriction policy and the proposal being consulted on which is that the CCG would no longer routinely fund IVF and other assisted conception treatments other than for 2 exceptions;

·                IVF is often unsuccessful with success rates varying between 2% and 32% mainly depending on age of mother;

·                Outlined ways in which NHS can help couples;

·                IVF is not routinely funded in other areas already, including within Essex – Basildon & Brentwood, Mid Essex and North East Essex. West Essex is currently looking at the provision of IVF and specialist fertility services;

·                Provided some information on responses received to the consultation to date and workshop. Further workshops are being planned. The themes, concerns and suggestions will be included in final report to be considered by the CCG Governing Body.

This was followed by questions from the members of the Committee which were responded to by the CCG, as summarised below:-

·                Impact of change, especially mental health – will look this as there are links between mental & physical health and will also encourage people to access other services such as Talking Therapy;

·                How the CCG is publicising the consultation and encouraging people to respond – the consultation is on the CCG website and has been circulated to stakeholders and the local press, social media, stakeholder groups etc. - the CCG will re circulate information about the consultation to GP’s / Practice Managers to remind them about the consultation and to disseminate. Hard copies of the document can also be provided;

·                Number of responses seems low & query if representative – will provide breakdown on demographics and will also ensure differentiate between those who live in or outside borough in analysis;

·                Other areas considering same matter & ‘post code lottery’ issue – will provide information on situation in London area;

·                The proposals are cost driven rather than clinical – issue needs to be considered in the round and around other services which need to be provided to residents.

In conclusion, the Committee made the following comments:-

-       Extremely difficult decision and disappointing that IVF will no longer be offered (funded) for Southend residents (except for the exceptions mentioned);

-       Contraception pill possibly had impact on fertility;

-       Right to review the service but if the CCG Governing Body does decide to go ahead with the change there will need to be careful managing of expectations (message) / human side there;

-       Whether have considered impact on other services (Adoption Service mentioned);

-       There needs to be more detailed analysis of responses at the end of the consultation (age range, who responded etc.);

-       The CCG should consider extending the consultation deadline to encourage more responses.

Resolved:-

That the views of the Committee be forwarded to NHS Southend CCG and the CCG present the results from the consultation to a future meeting.

Note:- This is a Scrutiny Function.