Agenda item

The Chair welcomed the following people to the meeting:

From Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS):

·  Jerry Hawker, Executive Director, New Hospitals Programme;

·  Rebecca Malin, Programme Director, New Hospitals Programme; and

·  Dr Sumantra Mukerji, New Hospitals Programme.

From Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust:

·  Dr Gerry Skailes, Medical Director, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust; and

·  Louise Barker, Communications Programme Manager, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Trust.

From University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust:

·  Phil Woodford, Director Corporate Affairs.

NHS Clinical Commissioning Group representatives:

·  Dr Lindsey Dickinson, Chair and Clinical Leader, Chorley and South Ribble Clinical Commissioning Group; and

·  Dr Geoff Jolliffe, Clinical Chair, Morecambe Bay Clinical Commissioning Group.

County Councillor Shaun Turner, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing was also in attendance.

Jerry Hawker, Executive Director of the New Hospitals Programme, presented a report which provided an overview of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS) New Hospitals Programme, a response to the Government's Health Infrastructure Plan to build 40 new hospitals by 2030.

During the presentation, the following points were highlighted:

·  The programme, which provided opportunity to transform healthcare services across Lancashire and South Cumbria, was still in its earliest stages and was expected to proceed in line with the timeline of events, as set out Section 4 of the report. Full public consultation was expected to begin during Spring 2022.

·  There existed strong reasons for the inclusion of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital in the scheme. Both were old facilities and in many instances were no longer fit for purpose, being neither accessible nor in keeping with the modern NHS.

·  The programme allowed for a reimagination of healthcare provision in light of the new digital technologies available, particularly for specialist clinical services. A key focus of the programme was to facilitate better interaction with community facilities and to deliver complex care locally.

In response to questions from members and guests, the following information was clarified:

·  The programme included the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust and the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. Whilst the programme focussed primarily on the need to refurbish and rebuild the Royal Lancaster Infirmary and the Royal Preston Hospital, the general hospitals in Kendal and Furness, and Chorley and South Ribble Hospital were also included in the scope of the project. The programme would result in improvements to other services and facilities too.

·  At an earlier stage in the programme it had been decided that a better use of taxpayer money was to combine the Lancaster and Preston projects. As a result, it was regrettable that ideas of a "super hospital" had become the public's focus. It was not possible, at such an early stage, to rule out the possibility of merging the region's hospitals, as all affordable and clinical options had to be considered during the consultation process. Nonetheless, an open, honest, and transparent public consultation was guaranteed, aided by the programme's partnership with the Independent Consultation Institute and with local Healthwatch organisations. Although any decisions would be clinically led, a key focus of the programme was accessibility.

·  The programme provided opportunities to collaborate with the region's universities and high-tech companies, to work towards zero-carbon strategies, and to align healthcare services with local planning arrangements, with the help of local authorities. Members could support the programme during its consultation process by connecting with local communities and encouraging their participation.

·  The programme was part of a much bigger commitment to improve the long-term health and wellbeing of Lancashire and South Cumbria residents, of which adult social care, prevention, and integrated community services were a key consideration. However due to considerations of affordability, as required by the Department of Health and Social Care, it was not possible to guarantee that old hospital buildings would be maintained and repurposed for these services. Questions around the funding and resources available for the programme would continue to be raised during the consultation process.

·  West Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group continued to be consulted and informed on the programme's progress. The Clinical Commissioning Group was part of the Lancashire and South Cumbria Joint Committee, so would oversee the consultation process and be included in the programme of work.

·  Accessibility, in addition to affordability and improving services, was a focus of the programme, so links to public transport networks were a key consideration.

·  Despite considering the views of a range of clinicians, from different settings and roles, a public health practitioner had not yet been engaged in the programme. The importance of collaborating with public health and mental health experts to shape the programme and future services was recognised.

It was suggested that the Health Scrutiny Committee Steering Group should continue to engage with the New Hospitals Programme. It was highlighted that the Health Scrutiny Committee should continue to receive regular updates from the Steering Group on the programme's progress.

Resolved: That;

i)  The information provided in the report, as presented, be noted;

ii)  Responsibility to engage with the New Hospitals Programme on a regular basis be assigned to the Health Scrutiny Committee Steering Group, and that the Health Scrutiny Committee Steering Group be asked to determine when the programme should be escalated to the full Health Scrutiny Committee for consideration; and

iii)  The need to establish a single, joint Health Scrutiny Committee for the New Hospitals Programme, involving all appropriate authorities, be noted.