Report to:

East Sussex Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC)

 

Date of meeting:

 

5 March 2026

By:

Deputy Chief Executive

 

Title:

Paediatric Service Model at Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH)

 

Purpose:

To consider a progress report from East Sussex Health Trust (ESHT) on changes made to paediatrics services at EDGH under the new service model.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee is recommended to:

1)    consider and comment on ESHT’s progress report at appendix 1; and

2)    conclude scrutiny of this item.

1.            Background

1.1.        On 14 December 2023 the HOSC considered a report from East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) on changes to the Paediatric service model at the Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH). Both NHS Sussex and ESHT considered to be operational differences in the way in which the services are provided, rather than a substantial variation. HOSC agreed to establish a Review Board to examine the impact of the changes to the paediatric service model at EDGH more closely. The implementation of changes to paediatric services at the EDGH started on 8 January 2024 and the HOSC review took place over a series of meetings held during February 2024.

1.2.        At the HOSC meeting held on 7 March 2024 the Committee considered and agreed the report of the Review Board and it’s thirteen recommendations regarding the changes to the paediatric service at EDGH. The HOSC also considered an update report on the implementation of the new service model from ESHT at this meeting. The Committee agreed to submit the review report to ESHT for consideration and a formal response to the recommendations made by the HOSC.

1.3.        The HOSC subsequently received a formal response to its recommendations on 10 April 2024, which it considered alongside an update monitoring report at its meeting on 30 July 2024. The HOSC subsequently received a further monitoring report at its meeting on 12 December 2024. This report was requested by the HOSC requested to provide a final assurance update to monitor the progress of service changes, two years after they were made.

 

2.            Supporting information

2.1.        The report attached as Appendix 1 provides a progress report, following nearly two years’ operation of the paediatrics model at Eastbourne District General Hospital. This report provides supporting data showing that since implementation of the new model a regular and consistent paediatrics presence in EDGH Emergency Department (ED), a higher proportion of children being treated directly in ED than were under the previous model, and a low proportion of patients transferred to Hastings.

 

3.         Conclusion and reasons for recommendations

3.1       The HOSC is recommended to consider and comment on ESHT’s report on the operation of the new service model. The Committee is also recommended to conclude scrutiny of this issue.

 

PHILIP BAKER
Deputy Chief Executive

 

Contact Officer: Patrick Major, Policy and Scrutiny Adviser

Telephone: 07701 258227
Email: patrick.major@eastsussex.gov.uk