Agenda item

Attending for this item, from Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust (WAHT), were:

Harry Turner, Chairman

Penny Venables, Chief Executive

Chris Tidman, Director of Resources/Deputy Chief Executive

The HOSC Chairman explained that he had invited representatives to the meeting following the announcement that five Accident and Emergency (A&E) consultants had resigned en masse.  He also reminded the Committee of its role in relation to this item, which was to look at the clinical safety, clinical sustainability and financial ramifications.

The WAHT Chief Executive summarised the position and the following main points were made:

·         there had been some issues vocalised in private conversations, however, everyone concerned was entirely focussed on clinical safety and clinical sustainability

·         the recruitment process, to replace colleagues, was already underway and statutory interview requirements would be undertaken

·         all Consultants had committed to working their notice and would not leave before May 2015.  Discussions had taken place to determine if anyone would work longer

·         the Trust acknowledged that organisations and individuals would have concerns, however, after eleven days, it was too early to answer every query

·         other local Trusts were working proactively with WAHT to provide assistance.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were raised:

·         the Trust had agreed with the Consultants that they would not discuss the reasons for the resignations in public, although one Member understood the Consultants were happy for their reasons to be shared

·         different views were expressed in the resignations and discussions had taken place, but no one had suggested bullying or harassment as reasons

·         the Trust had successfully recruited to 32 Consultant posts recently and all appointments were now across all sites in Worcestershire, rather than being site specific.  This working practice was now the same for all Anaesthetists

·         the ongoing work on the future of Acute Services in Worcestershire would continue and all contributors would ensure patient safety and sustainability was in place

·         in relation to the financial implications, there continues to be a national picture of hospitals reporting a deficit, the latest figure suggesting 75% of Foundation Trusts doing so.  WAHT is no different

·         the Trust has faced many pressures over the winter period and delayed discharges and cancelled operations have implications for income generation

·         the next three years for integration of health and social care would hopefully provide some stability and a platform for cost improvements.  Everyone was in agreement that all elements of the health economy were vital to an improved position

·         in relation to other Trusts providing assistance, the range of support had ranged from immediate offers to opportunities for partnership working both in the short term and medium term

·         One Member commented that staff morale seemed very low with suggestion that senior management was not listening.  When asked whether there was a structural issue and what steps would be taken to rebuild relations, the Chief Executive stated that recruitment in Theatres had been recently successful, A&E Nursing roles had been enhanced and a model, where skills were developed, had been adopted.  There had been a number of engagement events but it was imperative that consultation on the future not be delayed any further.

In summary, the Chairman thanked everyone present for their attendance and participation.  HOSC was reassured that services were clinically safe and normal service continues.  In addition, quality and assurance was monitored on a regular basis.  In relation to clinical sustainability, at present HOSC was reassured, however, it awaits the outcome of the West Midlands Clinical Senate report into the Future of Acute Hospital Services in Worcestershire (FoAHSW) and was mindful that there was a risk that there would need to be a reconfiguration before the official recommendations were published.