Issue - meetings

Report of the Divisional Director, Strategic Commissioning.

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Divisional Director, Strategic Commissioning which set out the findings from the Independent Healthcare Commission for NW London.

Following a brief overview of the report, Members asked the following questions and made the following comments:

·                     Was there currently a shortage in the number of midwives and paediatricians working at Northwick Park Hospital?

The Clinical Lead at NHS Harrow stated that the vacancy rate at Northwick Park Hospital had reduced following a recruitment drive and the recent merger of Ealing and North West London Hospitals (NWLHT).  She undertook to send figures regarding this to Members after the meeting.

·                     Increasingly, Watford General Hospital was the first choice of hospital for expectant mothers in Harrow – what could be done regarding this situation?

·                     What was being done regarding post-natal after care at Northwick Park Hospital?

·                     The number of peri-natal deaths at Northwick Park continued to be an issue and this should be added to the scrutiny watchlist.

The Clinical Lead advised that the recent CQC review of the maternity services at Northwick Park had highlighted a number of issues, which had been reviewed and actioned leading to improvements in the service.  The introduction of specialist midwifery-led units would lead to further improvements and there were plans to introduce a post-natal unit at Northwick Park.

The Chair of Harrow CCG added that there were pressures on maternity services at both Watford General and Northwick Park Hospitals.  The recent merger of North West London Hospitals, the single point of access and contact at NWLHT, and the re-design of A&E at Northwick Park had all contributed to improvements in services at the hospital.

The Clinical Lead stated that the Clinical Board at Northwick Park Hospital regularly reviewed statistical data for Maternity services, which would alert them to any pressure points requiring action.

The Chief Operating Officer at Harrow CCG advised that there was evidence to show that the recent merger meant that there was increased resilience at LNWHT, for example, the A&E services in North West London had outperformed other A&E services in London.

RESOLVED:  That the report be noted.