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Board summary - May 2024
Notes
The Chair, Mark Yates, opened the session with recognition that this is the first public Board Meeting for Robert Mackie, John Devapriam, Denise Lewis, and Veena Allison in their new roles. The Board then heard a presentation from the Worcestershire Perinatal Service and discussed the patient story which Board members had viewed in private. It was a powerful story which highlighted the significance of perinatal mental health and what makes a real difference in women’s care both before and after the birth which served as invaluable insight for Board members and any service developments in the future.
Positive news and assurance
- Ofsted have completed an inspection of Sir Jules Thorn House 1 & 2 at Osborne Court and given a rating of ‘Good’.
- Sue Harris, Director of Strategy and Partnerships highlighted that the Trust strategy is now in development and is scheduled for sign off in January 2025. The work will be informed by the extensive engagement that has been already taken place with patients, carers and staff over the past year and further engagement is planned as the strategy develops.
- The Reasonable Adjustments Digital Flag came into effect from April 2024 and our operational teams have been working to implement this.
- The Trust has received the outcome of the annual independent Mental Health Inpatient survey, which is commissioned by the CQC. We are named as among the best in the country for access to care and involvement in care.
- Hadley PICU will reopen in May, following a substantial refurbishment. Future gender mix is under review.
- Community Hospital bed numbers have returned to baseline levels, following de-escalation of winter plans and the SPA received a visit from the NHSE national team and received really positive feedback.
Matterns of concern
- The Trust remains in segment 3 of the NHS national oversight framework and that a consultation is concluding regarding the 2024/25 framework.
- The Community Paediatrics Programme was delayed by the SEND inspection so the scope is yet to be confirmed, pressures in this area remain significant, however this is in line with the national picture for these services.
Updates provided
- The Trust Improvement Plan continues to make progress. Particularly of note is the Resolution Policy has been agreed in principle at Workforce Committee and the Integrated Governance structure is embedding
- The final element of the national planning guidance for 2024/25 was published with a focus on the recovery of care services and a stabilisation of finances. Operational plans for Herefordshire and Worcestershire Integrated Care System (ICS) were submitted to NHSE on 2nd May with the Trust proposing a breakeven position and a 4% efficiency target.
- Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) NHS Constitution Review consultation is live until 25 June.
- An unannounced inspection of Worcestershire SEND provision was completed during late April. The outcome will be reported a future Board meeting.
- NHS England has made submissions to both the NHS Pay Review Body and Doctors’ and Dentists’ Review Body (DDRB), and we are awaiting the outcome.
- Ofsted and CQC have recently conducted their unannounced SEND inspection in Worcestershire which covers provision for those aged 0 – 25 years. We are awaiting the report.
- We are reviewing learnings shared in the CQC Special Review into Mental Health Services at Nottingham Healthcare NHS FT.
Decisions agreed
- The Risk Management Strategy was approved.
- A Management Essentials Programme will launch in the summer.
- The Trust is supportive that Stepway CIO, a charity that supports Veterans and their families, will take on the lease for Link Nurseries from July 2024