Overview of the event held on 1 October 2013
The East Kent Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust Annual General Meeting/Annual Members’ Meeting took place on 1 October 2013. More than 119 members were in attendance as well as members of the public, members of the Council of Governors and Board of Directors, representatives from partner organisations and members of the Trust’s staff. A copy of the attendance register is held by the Trust Secretary.
Trust Directors presented an overview of the Trust’s business in the 2012/13, with an opportunity for questions from the public. Prior to the meeting, there was an opportunity to view a number of Trust exhibitions from various departments within the organisation.
A copy of the 2012/13 Annual Report and Financial Statements was made available at the meeting. A copy of this publication is available on our website.
Presentations
- Welcome and Introductory video – Nicholas Wells, Chairman
- A year of excellence and achievement – Presentation by Stuart Bain, Chief Executive, on the key achievements of the Trust during 2012/13.
- Financial Performance Overview – Presentation by Jeff Buggle, Director of Finance and Performance Management, outlining the Trust’s financial position during 2012/13. He also outlined the work of the East Kent Hospitals Charity during 2012/13.
- We Care Programme - Presentation by Sally Smith, Deputy Chief Nurse, detailing the programme put in place to support staff to deliver the quality of service they aspire to for patients and each other.
- 21st Century Diagnostics – Presentation by Dai Davies, Deputy Divisional Director, Clinical Support Services, on current and future diagnostic technology.
- Report from the Council of Governors – Presentation by Jocelyn Craig (Elected Governor) on behalf of Ken Rogers, Lead Governor, Council of Governors. The presentation focused on the changing role of the Governor and Governor activity during 2012/13.
Members of the public also endorsed the notes of the previous Annual Members meeting as an accurate record of proceedings.
Questions
‘We Care’ Programme
Many of the safe care aims rely on adequate level of staff, particularly out of hours and within areas such as elderly care. How will the Trust take this forward?
The Trust had undertaken a Staff Establishment Review to assess staffing levels and skill mix on wards. A business case is written and is being progressed to ensure appropriate staffing levels across all specialties.
Which areas of the nursing establishment would increase?
The Trust reviewed and mapped all nursing levels (registered and non-registered).
‘Compassion’ should also be directed towards staff. How does the Trust’s review of Staff car parking charges fit with ‘We Care’ when other public sector organisations and many independent organisations have not implemented parking charges?
At present, the Trust has approximately 1,000 staff on a waiting list for car parking permits. In addition, a high number of staff use residential streets adjacent to hospital sites for parking. The Trust undertook a review of its current parking charges to recalibrate broadly in line with public transport costs. Revenue would be used to improve current parking facilities and to work with public transport companies to improve transport access.
The Trust recognised decisions regarding parking charges was unpopular. However, a balanced approach had been taken to this review and the changes would improve the current system and facilities.
The cultural change as part of the Trust’s ‘We Care’ programme was welcomed. One of the 6 C’s mentioned by David Nicholson was compassion. However, would this programme positively impact on the perception of bullying in the Trust as highlighted by Staff Surveys?
The Trust would be introducing measures to assess the success of the We Care Programme. This work was currently being scoped and would include monitoring against the results of the Trust’s staff survey.
21st Century Diagnostics
The new Dover Hospital Development was welcomed. Concern was raised, however, regarding the reduction in outpatient service points in Kent as a result of the Trust’s Outpatients Strategy. Assurance was sought that the East Kent population would feel safe and confident regarding future access to services.
The Trust had undertaken a detailed review and mapped current activity (including travel times) across the current 22 outpatient delivery points. This analysis work would be included as part of the future Consultation documents.
The Trust’s aim was to ensure that its outpatients service was geographically accessible, supported by appropriate staffing levels and provided the correct diagnostic equipment. Many of the current 22 sites were not adequate for 21st century healthcare. Investment would be implemented via a rolling programme.
The Dover Community Hospital would include a ‘one stop shop’ for consultation, diagnostic test, results and treatment for the same visit. This would be undertaken in a modern 21st century environment.
It was requested that 21st Century Diagnostics be an article for the next Members Newsletter.
Congratulations were relayed on the Trust’s performance achievements during 2012/13. However, assurance was sought regarding the current issues and delays associated with the Radiology Information System.
The background to the national system for IT was explained. As part of this, the national system for the Radiology Information System was due to cease this year. As a result, all Kent organisations went out to tender to procure a replacement system which was implemented in July 2013. The PACS element of the system was working well. The Radiology Information System (administration system) was not currently working to contract specifications. The Trust had worked hard to introduce extra resources and workarounds had been put in place. The backlog had now been addressed.
The Trust apologised to all members of the public who were affected by this over the last few months. The Trust had escalated this issue to the highest levels in GE (new contractors) and would continue to pursue to ensure efficiencies.
General Questions
The Government is currently encouraging GP surgeries to change their working patterns. Will EKHUFT be implementing a policy to persuade hospital consultants to be more available out of hours?
Consultants in some specialities do work out of hours. The consultant contract was being re-negotiated with the BMA. Clear requirements would be included to ask consultants to work out of hours when it suits patient needs. Accountability would also be strengthened.
Were CCGs taking into account the requirements under the NHS Social Care Act related to patient choice?
Patients do have a choice where they want to be treated. Some patients may chose to go to the private sector as a result. EKHUFT was working hard to continually improve patient pathways so patients chose to be treated by this Trust. For high volume services, such as orthopaedics, there were times where the Trust needs to use the private sector to manage the 18 week pathway.
In Summary
Nicholas Wells, Chairman, thanked all of the presenters for their presentations and the members of the public, staff and representatives of key stakeholder organisations for attending the meeting. Thanks were also noted to staff who attended to exhibit the work of the Trust prior to the meeting.
As demand for healthcare increases, the Trust has to continuously review its service delivery to ensure it is of the highest quality standard and financially efficient. Members of the public were encouraged to put forward their ideas for any service improvement either directly to the Trust or via the Council of Governors.
October 2013
Previous meetings
