Agenda and minutes

‘It was proposed by Councillor Wallace Redford, seconded by Councillor Kieron Mallon and it was

AGREED that Councillor Arash Fatemian be elected Chairman for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

‘It was proposed by Councillor Arash Fatemian, seconded by Councillor Kieron Mallon and it was

AGREED that Councillor Wallace Redford be elected Deputy Chairman for the Municipal Year 2019/20.

Apologies were received on behalf of Councillor Adil Sadygov, Councillor Sean Woodcock and Dr Keith Ruddle.

Councillor Arash Fatemian stated that he was a former employee of Pragma but that this had been over 4 years ago.

To approve the minutes of the last meeting held on 11 April 2019 (HHOSC3) and to receive information arising from them.

Subject to the following amendments the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record:

Page 2 – Minute 12/19. The second paragraph was corrected to reflect that the information referred to had been given not to this Committee but to a separate meeting at St Mary’s.

Page 6 2^nd paragraph – Reference to Catherine Mountford to be corrected to read Dr Holthof.

Jenny Jones, Keep The Horton General, spoke on behalf of Sophie Hammond referring to the research and subsequent paper that had been submitted to this Committee as an addenda. Ms Jones highlighted page 3 of the papers referring to the example of Furness and Lancaster. The data clearly showed how hybrid rotas are being made to work. Training accreditation had been awarded trust wide rather than to the individual hospitals

 She was encouraged that OUH had welcome the paper. Ms Jones was Further encouraged that using international agencies was being considered. Ms Jones addressed the concerns and obstacles referred to in the OUH paper.

14:20

At the last Meeting, the Joint Committee asked Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and the Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust  (OUHFT) to report back, in line with their timetable on the progress with the following information for consideration at this Meeting:

(a)      Report on the survey conducted (independent consultant, Pragma to present);

(b)      Workforce Analysis;

(c)       Financial Analysis;

(d)      Options Appraisal and Outcome;

(e)      Review of small units;

(f)        Next steps

The reports are attached at HHOSC7

At the last Meeting, the Joint Committee asked Oxfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (OCCG) and the Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust  (OUHFT) to report back, in line with their timetable on the progress with the following information for consideration at this Meeting:

(a)      Report on the survey conducted (independent consultant, Pragma to present);

(b)      Workforce Analysis;

(c)       Financial Analysis;

(d)      Options Appraisal and Outcome;

(e)      Review of small units;

(f)        Next steps

The following attendees were present: Anna Hargrave, South Northants CCG; Rosalie Wright; Lou Patten, CCG; Catherine Mountford, CCG; Ally Green, CCG; Veronica Miller, OUH; Kathy Hall, OUH; Sarah Breton, CCG; Helen Mills, Pragma and a further representative of Pragma.

(a) Helen Mills introduced the report on the survey detailing the methodology used in the research.

Ally Green highlighted comparisons and detailed the statistics within the paper setting out the conclusions drawn. Ms Mills added that overall anxiety for mothers to be peaked during labour and giving birth. Reference was made to the 2016 Review and the hierarchy of improvements that matched their own work. The priorities matched the improvements suggested by the focus groups and interviews. Issues around parking were coming through strongly.

Ms Mills went on to refer to the position with regard to The Horton. Before the changes locally it had been the default choice. The closure had increased anxiety with families weighing up the fact of the Midwife Led Unit at The Horton against the distance to the John Radcliffe Hospital.

Representatives responded to questions from Members:

·         The quantitative data presented was truly robust. Where qualitative data was included the quotes were chosen to represent the points made. Referring to the word bubbles on page 30 of the report Members noted that the word ‘Care’ could be taken in two ways. It was accepted that some interpretation of the qualitative data was necessary.

·         Responding to points that the vast majority of women in the local area would choose The Horton if there was an obstetrics unit available Ms Mountford caveated the information available. It was true for certain areas and when breaking it down it was necessary to be cautious as the numbers may be at low levels.

·         Asked to distil their perspective on the work done Ms Mountford stated that the maternity experience was very individual. The changes at The Horton had impacted differently at different stages of pregnancy. Decision-making was impacted. Anxiety around the decision-making had increased.

·         The research was a unique opportunity to be able to survey people following the changes but before the final decision was made. It would be helpful going forward.

·         Asked about the impact of mother’s anxiety on the unborn child members were advised that the issue of anxiety was taken very seriously, and the Trust was supportive.

During discussion members considered the information provided and expressed concern at the spikes in anxiety levels for pregnant women evidenced in the research. The Chairman in noting the anxiety levels stated that the Committee remained to be convinced that outcomes  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19/19

15:55

The report (HHOSC6) gives an update on the activity of the Committee between meetings.