Minutes:
The Board received a report and
presentation from Kate Fallon, Chief
Executive Bridgewater NHS Trust regarding their application to become a
Foundation Trust. Mr Harry
Holden, Chairman of Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Trust was also in attendance at the meeting. The consultation document was appended to the report.
The Board was advised that Bridgewater provided healthcare services in
Ashton, Leigh and Wigan, Halton and St Helens,
Trafford, Warrington and Community Dental Services in all of the above areas plus
Bolton, Stockport, Tameside and Glossop and West Cheshire.
The Board was further advised that
Bridgewater
was currently seeking views from patients and the public on its plans for
becoming a Foundation Trust. The Foundation Trust would have unique governance
arrangements which included members
(public, patients and staff) and governors
(elected by members or nominated by partner organisations).
The presentation:-
·
Explained
the range of services that the NHS was responsible for and highlighted that it
was about people and the population and the services would be delivered
locally;
·
Outlined
the Bridgewater footprint;
·
Set out
their mission and vision and the challenges that they currently faced in
respect of significant social deprivation and the numerous health issues in the
Borough such as heart disease, obesity, diabetes and smoking etc;
·
Reflected
on the changes and challenges in 2006/07 and 2010/11in strengthening care
closer to home;
·
Looked
forward to the changes and challenges in the future 2016/17 and highlighted the
reasons for becoming a Foundation Trust;
·
Outlined
the integrated services around practice populations;
·
explained
that they were working in partnerships with patients and providers to deliver
best value, high quality integrated care, delivering systems savings, providing
more care out of hospital, delivering specialist services to vulnerable people
and delivering universal services to improve the well-being of populations; and
·
highlighted
the potential mutual benefits from partnership and the rationale for seeking
Foundation status.
A booklet, ‘Your
community healthcare services, your chance to get involved’ was circulated at
the meeting.
The following
comments arose from the discussion:-
·
It was
highlighted that Runcorn had been omitted from the consultation document. In response, an apology was given and the Board
were informed that this matter would be rectified;
·
The
role and structure of the Council of Governors was noted. It was also noted
that there would be Public, Staff and Partner-appointed Governors elected;
·
It was noted
that the NHS were not a profit making organisation and any profits made would
be re-invested back into the services;
·
It was
noted that as a result of the health reforms, private companies would be
looking to provide some of the services in the future. However, it was also noted that there was a
likelihood that as they were a business they would want to ‘cherry pick’
services and only deliver services that
would be profitable; and
·
Clarity
was sought on whether there would be consultation events in Widnes and
Runcorn. In response, it was reported
that consultation would take place with Runcorn and Widnes residents.
RESOLVED: That
(1) The presentation and comments raised be noted; and
(2) Kate Fallon be thanked for her informative presentation.
Supporting documents: