Agenda item

12:00

This item will provide a report on the key issues for the CCG and outline current and upcoming areas of work. Including an update on

·         Sue Ryder Joyce Grove Hospice

·         Winter Plan

·         Horsefair Surgery

Liz Peretz, Oxfordshire Keep Our NHS Public, stated that winter pressures were leading to long queues and early discharges.  Some people discharged under Home First have been sent back to the hospital queue because they are not assessed at the hospital but at home.  Although 10 more reablement staff are being recruited, she asked if it will be possible to recruit them or if they will end up being agency staff?  She urged the Committee to review the system in three months.

Sue Ryder Joyce Grove Hospice

Louise Patten stated that the hospice had reported the number of requests had reduced significantly leaving them with empty beds and staff that could be better used in Hospice at Home.  It was a decision of the Governors to close. The CCG was working with them to identify alternative beds.  There is capacity at the Duchess of Kent Hospice in Reading.  The CCG will monitor the situation going forward with full transparency.

Councillor Laura Price asked about the advice line and day services run by the provider.  Louise Patten responded that the CCG is still in active dialogue on those points.

Barbara Shaw asked if the reduction in hospice need was related to slow discharge from hospital.  Louise Patten responded that it was a challenge getting patients out of hospital.  The final stages are funded by Continuing Healthcare.  The numbers are relatively low.  The CCG will look at this with Sue Ryder.

Councillor Alison Rooke noted that not all care homes are equipped for hospice care and asked how many were.  She also asked how many in the Home First programme were re-admitted to hospital.

Louise Patten responded that the report is referring to where a care home is treated as a person’s home.  Hospice at Home is more appealing to clinicians and therefore easier to recruit to.  On Home First, there is an assessment before discharge.  People can be disempowered in hospital but gain more independence at home.  She didn’t have the figures for re-admissions but it is monitored.

The Chairman accepted that it was the charity’s decision to close and there was no requirement for a formal consultation.

It was AGREED that the Committee needs to look at hospices and how they are funded.  This was timetabled for the June meeting.

Horsefair Surgery

Councillor Mark Cherry asked for assurances that everything is moving in the right direction and the crisis situation will not happen again.

Louise Patten stated that the contract has transferred to a local provider with a strong reputation.  The action plan is progressing and the CCG continues to monitor.

MSK Services

Alan Cohen thanked her for the information provided on Healthshare’s quality of care.  He noted though that there was little data on improvement.  He asked if an independent review would be helpful.  Louise Patten responded that she would consider it and that a conversation outside of the meeting could assist with determining how best this could be achieved.

Winter Plan

Barbara Shaw noted information on staffing at Oxford University Hospitals indicating numbers in 2019 had dropped from 4,090 to 3,344.  She asked if this was due to the drop in numbers coming from EU countries.

Louise Patten responded that the CCG monitors the situation.  EU workers had been assured and helped in practical ways.  Oxfordshire has a challenge with high living expenses whereas pay scales are fixed nationally.

It was AGREED that HOSC should discuss this with health providers.