Agenda and minutes

PART I - RECOMMENDATIONS

The Sub-Committee received a report of the Chief Executive.  On 17July the Secretary of State for Health had issued a general Direction under Regulation 10 (The Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions) Regulations 2002). 

The Direction applies to consultations currently underway.  In Harrow, there were two papers produced by the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and North West London Strategic Health Authorities under consideration.  The Sub-Committee has already gathered verbal and written evidence and has reached the stage of formulating its responses to the papers, which were considered at this meeting.

Participation in a Joint (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee:  Members were advised that should the Council choose not to participate in the Joint Committee, the Sub-Committee would be unable to make a submission as an individual authority.  Given that the Sub-Committee has already undertaken a substantial level of work on the consultations, Members agreed to recommend that the authority participate in a Joint Committee under the provisions of the Direction in relation to the consultation paper from the North West London Strategic Health Authority and, if appropriate, the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority.  The Joint Committee would consider its terms of reference at its inaugural meeting, scheduled to take place on 30 July.

Appointment of Members to serve on the Joint Committee:  Members were advised that the Direction requires politically proportionate representation for each participating authority.  Harrow is therefore required to appoint one Labour and one Conservative Group Member.  The Sub-Committee agreed to recommend that Councillors Marie-Louise Nolan and Silver represent the authority.

Role of the Community Health Councils (CHCs):  Members were informed that the Department of Health has also amended guidance relating to the scrutiny of health-related matters by CHCs (who have the same statutory health scrutiny powers as local authorities) until their abolition on 1 December 2003.  To avoid duplication the guidance recommends that the CHCs and Overview and Scrutiny Committees work collaboratively. 

Harrow CHC has advised officers that it would like to be involved in the Joint Committee in a non-voting advisory capacity.  The CHC is keen to retain the right to submit its own response in its role as a separate statutory body.  Members agreed that Harrow’s appointed representatives to the Joint Committee should propose that the CHCs be involved in such a capacity, but recognised that the Joint Committee would take the final decision as to the involvement of the CHCs.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: 

That the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (1) approve Harrow’s participation in a Joint (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee under the provisions of the Direction, together with other relevant Local Authorities in relation to the consultation paper from the North West London Strategic Health Authority (SHA)  ‘Mount Vernon Hospital: The Future of Services for Cancer Patients’ and, if appropriate, the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA consultation paper ‘Investing in your health’;

(2)  approve the appointment of Councillor Marie-Louise Nolan (Labour Group) and Councillor Eric Silver (Conservative Group) to serve on the Joint Committee, in accordance with the political proportionality requirements of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item

PART II - MINUTES

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance of the following duly constituted Reserve Members:

To receive declarations of interest (if any) from Members of the Committee arising from business to be transacted at this meeting.

RESOLVED:  To note the following declarations of interest:

Agenda Item 8:  Formulation of Response to Consultation Papers

Agenda Item 9:  Consultation on proposals for Mount Vernon Hospital – Meeting to discuss possible direction and the setting up of a joint committee

Councillor Gate declared a personal interest in agenda items 8 and 9 by virtue of his wife’s employment in a General Practice.

Councillor Myra Michael declared a person interest in agenda items 8 and 9 by virtue of her husband’s employment by the Gray Laboratory.

To consider whether any of the items listed on the agenda should be considered with the press and public excluded on the grounds that it is thought likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that there would be disclosure of confidential information in breach of an obligation of confidence or of exempt information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

RESOLVED:  That (1) all items be considered with the press and public present.

(2)  under the provisions of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 the following information be admitted to the agenda as a result of the special circumstances and reasons for urgency set out below:

Agenda Item 8:  Formulation of Response to Consultation Papers

8. (a)  Notes of the Evidence Gathering Meeting held on 3 July

Special Circumstances:  Subsequent to the publication of the original agenda, additional comments were received, affecting the factual accuracy of the notes.

Grounds for Urgency:  To provide Members with an accurate account of the Evidence Gathering meeting, which may impact the formulation of the Sub-Committee’s response to the consultation papers.

8. (b) Formulation of Response to the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority Consultation Paper; 8. (c) Formulation of Response to the North West London Strategic Health Authority Consultation Paper

Special Circumstances:  The draft responses were not included on the original agenda due to the need to incorporate additional evidence received at the meeting held on 3 July. 

Grounds for Urgency:  To enable Members to agree the Sub-Committee’s response in order to meet the consultation deadlines.

Agenda Item 9:  Consultation on proposals for Mount Vernon Hospital – Meeting to discuss possible direction and the setting up of Joint Committee

Special Circumstances:  The direction from the Secretary of State for Health was received after the publication of the agenda.

Urgency:  To enable the consultation timetable to be met; to facilitate the appointment of Members of the Sub-Committee to serve on the Joint Committee and to attend the meeting to be held on 30 July.

To defer the signing of the minutes of the meetings held on 8 May and 18 June 2003 to the next ordinary meeting of the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED:  To defer the signing of the minutes of the meetings held on 8 May and 18 June 2003 to the next ordinary meeting of the Sub-Committee.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no public questions to be received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 18 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

To receive petitions (if any) submitted by members of the public/Councillors under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no petitions to be received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 15 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

To receive deputations (if any) under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that there were no public questions, petitions or deputations submitted to this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 16 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

Members considered the draft responses included on the agenda.  The drafts were based on evidence received by the Sub-Committee at meetings held on 28 April and 3 July and written responses received.

Members received the notes of the evidence gathering meeting held on 3 July.  The Chair advised that contributors had had the opportunity to comment on the factual accuracy of the information contained in the notes.

A draft response for consideration and discussion by the Sub-Committee is to follow.

Having considered the draft response to ‘Investing in Your Health,’ Members were of the view that the following amendments should be made.

·         4. The Sub-Committee’s Response to the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Strategic Health Authority Consultation Paper:  Watford General Hospital was included as a possible location for a cancer centre in the Long Term Review of Mount Vernon Cancer Network and Centre (the Varley report).  Members agreed that this point should be further emphasised.  Members noted that proportion of patients from the London Boroughs of Harrow, Hillingdon and Brent treated at Mount Vernon Hospital had increased over the last three years.  There had been an increase of 5% receiving radiotherapy treatment from these boroughs to 25%, and an increase of 14% receiving chemotherapy to 35%.  Members agreed to include these statistics and to question the view that the epicentre of users of Mount Vernon services was some distance north of Watford.

·         5. Watford General Hospital A&E Services:  Members agreed that the response should state explicitly the details of Option 2 in the ‘Investing in your Health’ document for the benefit of those reading the document without detailed knowledge of the original consultation paper.  Option 2 was the development of a trauma service at Watford General Hospital and the continued provision of a full A&E service.

·         6. Watford General Hospital Maternity Services:  That the point relating to the consequences for Northwick Park Hospital be strengthened.

A draft response for consideration and discussion by the Sub-Committee is to follow.

Having considered the draft response to ‘Mount Vernon Hospital:  The Future of Services for Cancer Patients,’ Members were of the view that the following amendments should be made.

·         6.  Q2 If you accept this proposition, do you accept that Mount Vernon’s future is not dependent on it being a specialist cancer centre?:  Members expressed concern regarding the public transport links to Hillingdon Hospital and the lack of a direct service. 

·         8.  Do you support the general proposition of the development of Mount Vernon Hospital as a local provider of cancer services?:  Members agreed that the consultation document did not provide clarification of the future role for Hillingdon Hospital relating to cancer services.

·         9.  Q5 Do you support the proposition of the development of an ambulatory radiotherapy service at Mount Vernon, provided all quality and safety requirements are met?:  Relating to the viability of an ambulatory service, Members were concerned that they had not heard about the proposed consultation group and how this was going to be established.

·         11.  Summary:  Members agreed that the document should request that Harrow PCT monitor cancer mortality trends.

·         12.  Consultation:  Members agreed that concerns relating to arrangements for consultation meetings held by Harrow PCT be included in the response.

Members reiterated their support for a ‘Cancer unit+’ as detailed in the draft response.

RESOLVED:  That (1) the notes of the meeting held on 3 July be noted;

(2)     the amendments made to the draft responses be incorporated as discussed;

(3)     should further information arise, for example relating to the viability of an ambulatory radiotherapy service, that any proposed amendments be circulated to Members of the Sub-Committee for comment and be signed off by the Chair and the Nominated Member;

(4)     the views of the Sub-Committee, as expressed in the responses, be used as a remit for the representatives of Sub-Committee appointed to serve on the Joint (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee, subject to its terms of reference;

(5)     the Sub-Committee’s responses be submitted as appropriate, following further consultation with the Council’s legal department and subject to the terms of reference and outcome of the Joint (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee.

It is understood that a direction may be received from the Secretary of State requiring a joint committee to be set up by the local authorities affected by the proposals for the Mount Vernon Hospital

A meeting has been arranged for Wednesday 30 July at 6:30pm in the Council Chamber, Harrow Civic Centre, to discuss the setting up of such a committee with the other affected local authorities, should a direction be received.

Should the direction arrive, a further report will be submitted to the Sub-Committee for its discussion.

FOR INFORMATION/CONSIDERATION

Further to Recommendation 1, Members noted the limited time available before the inaugural meeting of the Joint (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee scheduled for 30 July.

RESOLVED:  That the Health and Social Care Sub-Committee authorised the use of the Executive Action procedure to refer Recommendation 1 to the Chair and Nominated Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee on grounds of urgency, prior to the meeting on 30 July which is to establish the Joint (Overview and Scrutiny) Committee.