Agenda item

            The Board received an update from Mr. M. Ogden-Meade and Ms K. Holburn on the reconfiguration of the North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust which outlined the phased changes, the progress made, staffing issues and how staff and the public were being kept informed.

 

         A number of questions and concerns in relation to the transport being provided between Halton and Warrington hospitals were raised, including:

 

1)   the  number of seats being provided;

2)     the provision for disabled passengers;

3)     the cost of this service and what alternatives had been considered;

4)     how long it would be funded for;

5)     whether usage would be monitored and reviewed;

6)     whether it was felt that all agencies had been involved and would the Trust would be prepared to set up a meeting with officers from the Halton’s Transportation Section, Arriva North West and Halton Transport;

7)     whether the service would predominantly be for staff; and

8)     what the timetable would be.

 

In response the following answers were given:

 

1)     the shuttle bus would have 17 seats;

2)     a specialised service would be available to disabled passengers and a ring and book system would be in operation to ensure there was adequate provision for disabled passengers;

3)     the cost of the service was market sensitive but was less than the reported £60, 000. Alternative services had been explored but this was felt to be the most cost effective, however, it would be reviewed in six months time;

4)     the funding was from a general fund as there was no specific funding for such a service and the present arrangements were for a six month period. After this period the service would be reviewed;

5)     the usage would be monitored and broken down into staff, patients and visitors. This would then be used when the service was reviewed.

6)     the Trust felt that it had tried to involve all relevant agencies and would be prepared to organise a meeting;

7)     although staff would be using the service, this would be at different times to the visitors, as there were set visiting hours which were different to shift start times. As with any public transport if there were more people waiting than seats available some people would have to wait for the next available shuttle; and

8)     the first journey would leave at 6.40am and last at 8.15pm with 11 journeys, which was approximately hourly.

 

In addition a number of other questions and concerns were raised in relation to the reconfiguration and in relation to articles in the local newspaper, including:

 

1)     how many staff had been relocated between the two sites;

2)     whether the pathology service at Halton was closing;

3)     whether the minor injuries unit was closing or the hours being reduced and whether any consultation of the public would take place if this was agreed;

4)     how the deficit would be recouped and if the financial recovery plan had been agreed;

5)     how many staff had appealed against their new placement and how many that were declined would lose their job; and

 

In response the following answers were given:

 

1)     120 staff had moved from Halton to Warrington and 7 staff had moved from Warrington to Halton. The low number moving to Halton was due to Halton vacancies being given preference to Halton staff;

2)     the pathology service was not closing, however, the on call service would be operated from the Warrington site;

3)     the possibility of reducing the hours of the minor injuries unit was being considered at present, however, no decision had been taken by the Trust’s Executive Board. If a change in hours was agreed and if it was a substantial change in the provision of the service, using the Department of Health definition, public consultation would take place;

4)     in order to recoup the deficit a whole range of options were being considered, the minor injuries hours being one example. Work was ongoing to determine the feasibility of these options. The organisation had to show a robust plan to enable it to be in financial balance in time for the Government’s deadline. The financial recovery plan would be approved by NHS North West; and

5)     33 of the 850 staff had appealed, 8 of these had been displaced due to the loss of 69 jobs in the reconfiguration. All members of staff who’s job no longer existed and who it had not been possible to place had been retained and would be offered other vacancies when they became available.

 

A public question had been received from Halton Disability Alliance (minute HEA24 refers), which was read out by the Chairman, as follows:

 

‘What assurances can be given to Halton residents with disabilities that they will be provided with transport to and back from Warrington hospital and if the transport available is not fully accessible, what provision will be made available, all free of charge.’

 

It was felt that this question had been answered as part of the discussions detailed above that the transport service would be accessible, free and have provision for disabled passengers.

 

The Board requested regular updates on the Financial Recovery Plan and on any future decisions that affect Halton services. 

 

            RESOLVED: That

 

(1)   the update be received;

(2)   the comments and concerns raised be noted; and

(3)   regular updates on the Financial Recovery Plan and on any future decisions that affect Halton services be submitted to the Board.