Agenda item

This report updates Members on work carried out to put together a commentary, to be included with the self-assessment by the local NHS trusts, as part of the Healthcare Commission’s Annual Health Check for 2007/08.

Members considered a report which updated them on work carried out to put together a commentary to be included with the self assessments by the NHS trusts as part of the Healthcare Commission’s Annual Health Check for 2007/08. Annex A which comprised the draft commentary had been circulated to Members separately. Members were reminded that evidence was required to support any comments made.

It was reported that Councillors Kirk, Funnell and Wiseman had held meetings with the North Yorkshire and York PCT, the Yorkshire Ambulance Trust and the York Hospitals Foundation Trust to consider the standards that it would be appropriate to comment on for each trust.

In answer to Members comments on low ambulance response times Vince Larvin confirmed that improvements had been made. He stated that York now had a 69% contracted response time which had risen to 72% the previous month.

In answer to Members comments on food provision in hospitals, Mike Proctor confirmed that the Board regularly tasted patients food and that systems were in place to make changes, as necessary.

Following receipt of these comments Members requested additions to the commentaries as set out below.

RESOLVED:             That subject to the following changes, the draft commentaries be forwarded to the NHS trusts for inclusion with their declarations to the Healthcare Commission: ^1.

Core Standard 22

Healthcare organisations promote, protect and demonstrably improve the health of the community served, and narrow health inequalities by:

a) cooperating with each other and with local authorities and other   organisations

c) making an appropriate and effective contribution to local partnership arrangements including local strategic partnerships and crime and disorder reduction partnerships

North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust and CYC have a joint appointment in the Associate Director of Public Health. City of York Council leads on a partnership with the PCT for the provision of services to people with learning disabilities.  North Yorkshire and York  PCT lead on a partnership with City of York Council for the provision of mental health services.  Community Equipment Services are also run collaboratively.

The Director of Public Health has presented at an Overview and Scrutiny Committee Meeting (OSC)  and attended a Public Meeting organised by the OSC to share his work on healthcare commissioning as a result of which he has agreed to attend further meetings with local voluntary groups.

The Associate Director of Public Health (joint appointment with PCT and local authority) has led on developing the Local Area Agreement “Healthier Communities and Older People”.

Directors and officers of the PCT have regularly attended meetings of the OSC to answer members’ questions.  They have also taken part in community events to discuss their plans and priorities.

Core Standard 15

Where food is provided healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that:

a)             patients are provided with a choice and that it is prepared safely and provides a balanced diet

b)     patients' individual nutritional, personal and clinical dietary requirements are met, including any necessary help with feeding and access to food 24 hours a day. 

Members have met with the Deputy Chief Executive of the York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust who has provided evidence that these standards are being met.  Members challenged the evidence and were satisfied with the responses, including assurances that feeding could be provided for those who were in need.

Core Standard 22

Healthcare organisations promote, protect and demonstrably improve the health of the community served, and narrow health inequalities by:

a)     cooperating with each other and with local authorities and other organisations

Officers from York Hospital have regularly attended meetings of the OSC to answer members’ questions.  They have also taken part in community events to discuss their plans and priorities.

Core Standard 22

Healthcare organisations promote, protect and demonstrably improve the health of the community served, and narrow health inequalities by:

b)     cooperating with each other and with local authorities and other organisations

Officers from YAS have regularly met with members of the Health Scrutiny Committee to answer questions and explain aspects of the service to members.  They have presented figures to corroborate improvements to their response times.

REASON:                  In order to carry out their duty to promote the health needs of the people they represent.