Agenda and minutes

            Apologies for inability to attend were reported from Councillors D. Browne, N. Kelly and McCarthy.

(To receive a presentation from representatives of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust on how health and social care services in Belfast are developing, with particular reference on the Trust’s current proposals to reorganise the acute services in Belfast.)

            The Committee was advised that representatives of the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust had been invited to the meeting to provide a presentation on how health and social care services in Belfast were developing, with particular reference on the Trust’s current proposals to reorganise the acute services in Belfast. 

            It was reported that Mr. C. Donaghy, Chief Executive, together with Ms. E. Bannon, Ms. B. Dalzell, Ms. B. McQuillan, Ms. D. Stockman and Mr. R. Hannon, were in attendance and they were admitted to the meeting and welcomed by the Chairman.

            Mr. Donaghy thanked the Committee for the opportunity to update the Members on the Trust’s “Right Treatment, Right Place” consultation, the aim of which was to seek views on proposals to reorganise the delivery of acute services in Belfast in order to improve health and social care, which he stressed could only be achieved in partnership with the other statutory agencies and local communities.

            With the assistance of visual aids, Ms. Stockman outlined which acute services were being considered under consultation and the impact on the five acute hospitals, that is, the Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast City Hospital, the Mater Hospital, Musgrave Park Hospital and the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.  She reminded the Committee that, following the merger of the four acute Trusts, the new Belfast Trust had been formed in 2007.  Subsequently, the New Directions consultation had taken place which had looked at the best way to deliver services in Belfast over the next decade.  At that time there had been general support for the proposed focus of services on each site, with:

(1)     Belfast City Hospital as the centre for cancer, renal and a range of general and acute hospital services, with an increased focus on elective services and chronic conditions management;

(2)     The Royal Hospitals as the centre for major trauma services, including a heart centre, with an increased focus on emergency services;

(3)     The Mater Hospital as the centre for ophthalmology services and acute hospital services; and

(4)     Musgrave Park Hospital as the centre for specialist rehabilitation services.

            As a result of the aforementioned merger of Trusts, Ms. Stockman pointed out that some services were replicated across two or three sites resulting in duplication of services for patients and the fragmentation of staff skills and expertise.  The New Directions document had guided the Trust’s approach to the current review, the key drivers of which were to:

·         improve clinical linkages between specialities, where possible;

·         address current duplication and service efficiency and complement the “Maximising Outcomes, Resources and Efficiencies” modernisation programme;

·         deliver the European Working Time Directive, which particularly affected doctors;

·         deliver compliance on medical staff quotas;

·         meet public expectation to improve service quality;

·         act on staff support;

·         enable the delivery of services on a reduced capital and revenue budget;

·         drive forward service modernisation; and

·         reduce the risks associated with the estate.

            Ms. Stockman then provided details of those who had been involved in the review, through  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.