To consider an update from the Clinical Commissioning Group on the reconfiguration of Community Services.

Representatives from the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (the CCG) and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) attended the meeting and provided an update on how the decision of the CCG in relation to the reconfiguration of community services was being implemented by the Trust.

The Board was reminded that the CCG and the Trust had made assurances during the consultation process that changes would not be made to existing services until the new provision was in place and was operating at a level where there was confidence that demand could be met.  It was noted that the parameters had been met for the removal of beds and community and specialist out-patient clinics from community hospitals.  The parameters had not yet been met in order for minor injury units to be removed from community hospitals.

Two members of the public addressed the Board.

The Board raised a number of questions with the CCG and Trust around admissions to Paignton Hospital, the make up of the Multi Disciplinary Teams making up the health and wellbeing teams in each locality, assessments of health and social care needs and the location of the clinical hubs and health and wellbeing centres.

Resolved:  that the Board note the report and understand the implementation plan, as much as possible; however the Overview and Scrutiny Board still have concerns and as such suggest that ongoing monitoring continues through Council representation on the local implementation groups with feedback being provided to the Overview and Scrutiny Briefings.

To agree the Community Services Review Panel’s report to the Clinical Commissioning Group as the Board’s response to the consultation on the proposed reconfiguration of Community Services.

The Board considered the draft report from the Community Services Review Panel which had been prepared following the Panel’s consideration of the proposed to reconfigure community services in Torbay. 

Whilst the report acknowledged that the CCG had engaged well with the local community and that the amount of time allowed had been sufficient to address the issues raised by the community, there remained concern that the detail around the clinical hubs and health and wellbeing centres had not yet been made available to the public.

The Chief Clinical Officer from the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) attended the meeting to provide an update on the consultation process.  He explained that it would be an iterative process to determine the detail around the health and wellbeing centres.

Resolved:  that subject to the following additional recommendation, the report of the Community Services Review Panel be adopted:

“There remains concern that the detail around the clinical hubs and health and wellbeing centres has not yet been made available to the public.  The Board recommends that the public and partners are even better informed of plans and that, in particular, local residents in Paignton are provided with full details of changes to services before any cessations are announced.”

To discuss the proposals for the reconfiguration of community services with the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust (Integrated Care Organisation).

To consider how the proposals fit with the Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

Documents attached:

1.     Community Services Review Key Lines of Enquiry

2.     Community Services Review Key Lines of Enquiry Appendix 1

3.     Community Services Reconfiguration Background report

4.     Community Services Reconfiguration Consultation Document

5.     Community Services Reconfiguration Consultation Document – Paignton and Brixham

6.     Community Services Reconfiguration Consultation Document – Torquay

7.     Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

8.     Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy Appendix 1

To receive an update from the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group on the consultation on the reconfiguration of community services.

The Board to agree how it plans to gather information in order to respond to the consultation.

Representatives of the South Devon and Torbay Clinical Commissioning Group presented the consultation document for the proposed reconfiguration of community services.  It was noted that the consultation was open until 23 November with a number of public meetings being held across Torbay and South Devon.

Resolved:  that a Community Services Review Panel comprising seven non-executive members of the Council (5 nominated by the Conservative Group, 1 nominated by the Liberal Democrat Group and 1 nominated by the Independent Group) be appointed to gather information to enable a response to the consultation on the reconfiguration of community hospitals to be provided to the Clinical Commissioning Group.