Issue - meetings

43.1.      The Committee considered a report providing an update on the proposed development of Cardiology and Ophthalmology services at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT).

43.2.      The Committee requested confirmation at its next meeting on the number of patients who would be affected by the proposals, particularly for cardiology; the location of these patients; the current number of cross-site transfers of patients; and whether the proposals will affect patient flows of cardiology services in East Sussex.

43.3.      Joe Chadwick-Bell confirmed that the impact on the population, changes in patient flows, including cross-site transfers, and impact on other NHS organisations is all considered during the options appraisal process and in the PCBC. These details will be made available to the HOSC at its 10^th June meeting.

43.4.      The Committee asked why ESHT’s cardiac cath labs do not carry out thrombectomies (mechanical removal of blood clots).

43.5.      Joe Chadwick-Bell clarified that clot busting procedures are available at ESHT but more complex tertiary procedures like cardiac surgery would not be provided on every NHS hospital site due to the low volumes and necessary high expertise of the surgeons who perform them. They would, however, be carried out at regional centres of excellence such as the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) in Brighton. The aim of the cardiology reconfiguration is not to ensure all cardiac procedures are provided at ESHT but that the services provided at its hospitals are best practice for a district general hospital.

43.6.      Joe Chadwick-Bell said the options appraisal and PCBC will make clear what services are provided on the sites currently and what will be in future. This will also include background information on what services are provided in specialist tertiary sites.

43.7.      The Committee asked whether South East Coast Ambulance NHS Foundation Trust (SECAmb) has concerns about longer travel times for patients needing cardiology treatment, and what advantages there might be if they receive care at a centre of excellence.

43.8.      Joe Chadwick-Bell explained that the operating model of the current cardiology services involves both hospital sites providing a weekday service for acute cardiac services, but evening and weekend services are provided from a single site that alternates between the two. SECAmb is involved in transporting patients under this configuration and has indicated it has no impact on their resources.

43.9.       Michael Farrer, Strategy, Innovation & Planning Team at ESHT, said that the PCBC will include modelling work on the impact of the proposals on patients, including travel time, but a full answer is not currently available on the potential impact. SECAmb will also be involved in the options appraisal process that precedes the PCBC to provide their opinion on the potential impact on their service for each option.

43.10.   The Committee asked how the CCG will have the capacity to run the inpatient mental health and cardiology/ophthalmology consultations at the same time.

43.11.   Jessica Britton said that the CCG, which is the responsible organisation for both consultations, will resource them jointly with the two trusts  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43