Agenda item

This item will enable updates to be received on issues including:

·        Establishment of Vale of York CCG

·        National/Regional NHS Bodies

·        Transfer of Public Health

·        Commissioning of Healthwatch

·        North Yorkshire and York Review

The Board received verbal updates from various partners on a number of issues.

Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group

Discussion between Board Members focused on the current general financial situation in the NHS.

It was reported that operation hours of minor injury units in Selby and Malton would be reduced. Additionally, out of area placements for Mental Health and Continuing Care had been eliminated and that these services would be redesigned with the intention of providing them locally.

It was reported that several challenges existed and that several principles needed to remain whilst examining cuts in funding such as;

·        That developments should not take place this year which would and could not be continued in the next year.

·        That all commissioned services should above all focus on patient safety

·        That commissioners needed to make sure that they did not disengage clinicians.

Some Board Members felt that cuts in funding to some services could be used as an opportunity to reinvest in others. Other Members raised particular concerns about stopping prescribing Emergency Hormonal Protection for teenagers for a three month period, because it would remove the choice from young people to be able to access it and use it.

Further discussion took place on cost pressures in Adult and Social Care, how winter would affect this and how to make sure that costs were not being transferred into 2013.

National and Regional NHS Bodies

Discussion between Board Members took place on the NHS Commissioning Board.

It was reported that the Directors on the Commissioning Board who had been appointed had originated from the Humber region, but that further appointments were still to be made. Some Members felt that it was important to have a representative from the NHS Commissioning Board in attendance at Shadow Health and Wellbeing Board meetings.

Public Health

It was noted that Doctor Paul Edmondson-Jones, the Director of Public Health, had taken up his position at the Council along with a few staff from the Primary Care Trust (PCT). These people and the Director would form a team to deal with Public Health in the city over the next few months. It was also noted that a number of contracts from the PCT for which they had the responsibility for, still needed  to be transferred over to Council control.

Local Health Watch

It was reported that the tender to run Local Health Watch had been put out the week previously and that this would be open for six weeks. It would be hoped that after this period had ended that the contract to run Health Watch would be awarded to the successful organisation within a month.

North Yorkshire and York Review

The Board were given an update as to the progress of a financial review into health services  which had started in the year previously. It was reported that the consultants’ report in to finances in Acute and Secondary Care had not yet been received.

RESOLVED:                 That the updates be noted.

REASON:                     In order to keep the Board up to date with how Health and Wellbeing reforms are being carried in the city.