There will be an oral report on integration of Chelsea and Westminster NHSFT with West Middlesex Hospital
Minutes:
Ms Sloane updated on the integration of Chelsea and Westminster with West Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust, which was expected to be completed on 1 September 2015. There had been a number of meetings with Monitor and the Trust Development Agency (TDA).
The two hospitals were working closely, and had jointly appointed three divisional nurses. Several of the Board directors had worked at or were seconded from Chelsea and Westminster.
Members registered their concerns at the lack of substantive members of staff on the Board.
Ms Sloane stated that transition monies would fund a bespoke Electronic Patient Record (EPR) system which would help drive service integration of the two hospitals, and would provide additional assurance in safety, quality and consistency of services for patients.
Ms Sloane stated that there was good staff engagement. There had been a number of engagement events with members of the public and staff and ‘constituency events’ in the boroughs. In addition, a Clinical Summit had been held in Brentford, focusing on clinical innovation to support patient care.
Both hospitals would remain as major acute hospitals, with Accident & Emergency services being provided on both sites. It was expected that specialist services would be developed in bariatric surgery, ophthalmology, orthopaedics and cardiology.
Councillor Carlebach queried a number of issues; the CQC’s concerns in respect of the security of drugs on wards; the information from recent Trust Board papers that a deficit of £7.5million was forecast for 2015/2016 and that the acquisition of the West Middlesex was important in ensuring the long term financial viability of the Trust; patient safety; staff morale; and the lack of substantive board level post holders at the West Middlesex.
Ms Sloane responded that there was some low morale. There were however significant differences between the hospitals. Whilst staff at the West Middlesex tended to be local and users of the hospital, very few staff at Chelsea and Westminster lived locally. There had been a high turnover at West Middlesex, but there was currently real leadership at the Trust.
Ms Sloane stated that the financial case including the PFI was sound.
Members stated that a full report including the financial aspects was required. Ms Sloane responded that this information was available and agreed to arrange for a report to be provided.
Action: Chelsea and Westminster
Ms Sloane responded to a query that the two hospitals were six miles apart and that there was a shuttle bus.
Councillor Vaughan commented that the EPR system remedy was some time away. Ms Sloane responded that the Emergency Department had moved to ‘SystemOne’, the system used by GP practices. ‘Lastword’ was used trust wide. There remained some paper records and these were being scanned into the digital record. Approximately a quarter had currently been scanned. A multi-disciplinary group was considering the requirements of a future system.
Councillor Holder emphasised the importance of patient involvement. Ms Sloane responded that patients were being involved, including through the constituency events. She would check if one had been held in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Action: Chelsea and Westminster Hospital
Ms Sloane noted other public participation including the hospital experience of young people aged 12-17. Young people who were making the transition from children’s to adult services across the site were the focus of a piece of work. West Middlesex Hospital had been requested to participate.
The Trust’s Open Day in September would have a stand featuring the acquisition with staff from both sites.
RESOLVED THAT:
1. Chelsea and Westminster Hospital was requested to attend the next meeting of the PAC on 7 July.
2. Chelsea and Westminster was asked to provide a full report, in respect of the detailed acquisition plan, the financial position of both hospitals and the implications for local services.
3. The PAC had some serious concerns in respect of the acquisition of West Middlesex Hospital and specifically in respect of the potential effect on the Accident & Emergency and Paediatric Units.
4. It was recommended that there should be patient involvement in the EPR multi-disciplinary group.