Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Collins (Thurrock Council), Councillor Holloway (Thurrock Council), Councillor Fish (Thurrock Council), County Councillor Egan (Essex County Council – substitute: County Cllr D Harris)) and County Councillor Robinson (Essex County Council).

The following declarations of interest were made:-

(a)   Councillor Nevin - non-pecuniary - 2 children work at MEHT; step sister works at Basildon Hospital; previous association at Southend and MEHT Hospitals; NHS employee in Trust outside STP area;

(b)   Councillor Habermel - non-pecuniary - brother is a paramedic; sister is a nurse & works at Southend Hospital; nephew is physiotherapist at Southend;

(c)    County Cllr Beavis – non-pecuniary - ECC nominated governor – Mid Essex CCG.

Resolved:-

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 20^th February, 2018, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

There were no statements from members of the public.

Report of Jo Cripps, Programme Director STP (to follow)

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman welcomed the following representatives from the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) to the meeting:-

·           Jo Cripps – Programme Director, STP

·           Dr Celia Skinner – Medical Director, STP

·           Caroline Rassell – Senior Responsible Officer, STP

·           Claire Hankey – Director of Communications and Engagement, STP

·           Tom Abell – Deputy Chief Executive of the 3 hospitals in Mid and South Essex

·           Dr Joanne Howard – Consultant Southend Associate Medical Director and Haematology lead at Broomfield

The Committee considered an update paper from the Mid and South Essex Sustainability and Transformation Partnership (STP) Programme Director. This provided further information on a number of questions and key lines of enquiry regarding the consultation process explored by the Joint Scrutiny Committee at the meeting on 20^th February 2018 and at the informal meeting held on 8^th March 2018.

It was noted that the closing date for the consultation has been extended to 23rd March 2018.

The representatives also gave a presentation which provided the following information:

·           an overview of the consultation process to date

·           information on the independent analysis of the consultation feedback

·           a short video providing a snap shot of information from focus groups

·           outline of the next steps

·           Information on the agreed timeline.

Resolved:-

To note the update report.

The Committee asked the representatives of the STP a number of questions arising from the presentation and covering the following issues, as follows and which were responded to by the STP:-

Communications and engagement

Information was cascaded by the 5 CCG’s and also made use of patient participation groups. The increasing use of social media as a core component of the engagement has been well received.

With regard to the consultation re Orsett, 6,000 documents were produced specifically explaining those proposals, with ‘Orsett specific’ questions in them. These were distributed via GP hubs, focussed events, the college, library and pharmacists with help from Healthwatch Thurrock to further disseminate through other community organisations and settings, which had been invaluable. Members specifically recommended that the STP continues to utilise Healthwatch’s expertise going forward whilst ensuring that their independence is also maintained.

The telephone survey commissioned by the STP had reached the target set of speaking to 750 people. There had been 779 on-line responses so far.

The STP provided a broad overview of responses to the consultation by each CCG area. At the time of the meeting the split of responses received from each CCG area had been: Mid Essex 38%, Southend 30%, Thurrock 13%, Castle Point and Rochford 11%, Basildon and Brentwood 8%. It was acknowledged that, until the report of the independent review of the consultation process had been completed, it would be difficult to be clear where the consultation may have worked well and where not so well.

The Joint Scrutiny Committee had been provided with a paper outlining the questions from the Southend public discussion event and asked that a similar report be provided from other events.

There was a general acceptance that there could have been some duplication of attendees at the consultation events.

All districts and parishes had been specifically invited to respond to the consultation.

Primary Care Strategy

Noted the position re the development of the plan for Primary Care. Members of the Joint Scrutiny Cttee intend to attend the forthcoming meeting of the CCG Joint Cttee on 6^th April when this will be discussed.

The Joint Scrutiny Cttee also had questions on Community health care, including the consultation on the closure of Orsett Hospital and workforce plans and impact.

Patient transport and workforce transport

The Joint Scrutiny Cttee had been provided with a discussion paper providing more information on the considerations and options for a proposed patient transport service between the three hospitals. Whilst clinicians were clear on the clinical pathway models (i.e. who were the patients who would need it if the current clinical proposals were implemented) the transport model could not be completed until it was clear which service reconfiguration proposals would actually be pursued. Action: the Committee requested  more information on the future transport model once the final proposals are known.

The Joint Scrutiny Cttee said that documentation did not include information on the volume of patients who already move between sites. Members also highlighted the importance of building  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.