Agenda and minutes

Members are invited to declare at this stage of the meeting, any relevant financial or other interest in the items on this agenda.

None declared.

None received.

A report on the Acute Services Review – Paediatric Services in Brent and Harrow has been produced following a request from NHS Brent and North West London NHS Hospitals Trust for members to consider the consultation proposals for paediatric services provided at Northwick Park and Central Middlesex Hospitals at a Special meeting of the Committee.

Reports on the National Clinical Assessment Team Review and Better Services for Local Children – A Public Consultation for Brent and Harrow are also attached.

The Chair explained that this was a special meeting of the Health Select Committee which had been convened to discuss the Acute Services Review – Paediatric Services in Brent and Harrow. Fiona Wise (Chief Executive, North West London NHS Hospitals Trust) thanked the Committee for arranging the meeting. She advised that it was proposed to introduce two Paediatric Assessment Units (PAUs) in Northwick Park Hospital (NPH) and Central Middlesex Hospital (CMH), and that these proposals were supported by clinicians and members of the public who had been briefed on the proposals at two pre-consultation events. Fiona Wise went on to explain that the proposals had also been assessed by the National Clinical Advisory Team and the Department of Health’s Gateway Team, both of which had approved them in principle.

David Cheesman (Director of Strategy, North West London NHS Hospitals Trust) advised that assuming that the Health Select Committee approved the consultation request, a detailed consultation programme would begin on 11 January. This would incorporate two public meetings to be held on 11 February 2010 in Brent and 24 February 2010 in Harrow, and a publicity drive including advertisements and letters to stakeholders. David Cheesman went on to explain that a micro-website had been set up, through which interested parties could respond to the proposals.

Councillor R Moher noted that the report mentioned the development of polyclinics but only those in Harrow. Mark Easton (Chief Executive, NHS Brent) replied that supplementary information would be issued to reassure residents in Brent of the impact of the proposals on their health services. Fiona Wise added that lessons learned from the pre-consultation exercises would be used to inform the formal consultation, and Thirza Sawtell (NHS Brent) suggested that shorter pamphlets could be produced, specific to each borough.

The Chair then asked for the response of the Hospital Trust and the PCTs to the main issues highlighted by the review undertaken by the Department of Health Gateway Team. David Cheesman advised that it was acknowledged that the scope of the consultation should be limited to the closure of six beds at CMH and the introduction of two PAUs. Mark Easton then explained that future material on the proposals would stress the fact that it was intended to retain a full Accident and Emergency service at CMH for adults as well as children.

On the subject of engagement with families of patients with sickle-cell anaemia, David Cheesman advised that there was a group of relatives of children with sickle-cell anaemia who had been consulted on the proposals, and that this group’s views would continue to be sought. Regarding the transporting of children between the two hospitals when the PAU at CMH closed at 10.00 pm, David Cheesman explained that it was currently being examined whether it would be possible to extend the current staff shuttle bus service to include patients and to run seven days a week. Councillor Mote (London Borough of Harrow) asked whether larger buses would be introduced for the service; David Cheesman replied  ...  view the full minutes text for item 3.

The next Ordinary meeting of the Health Select Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, 17^th February 2010 at 7.00 pm.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Health Select Committee was scheduled for Wednesday 17 February 2010.