Board decides way forward for A Picture of Health
The Board of NHS Lanarkshire met yesterday (Tuesday, June 27) to decide how to take forward the most significant programme of strategic change and improvement in health services throughout Lanarkshire as proposed in A Picture of Health. Their decision will now go to the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care for approval.
A Picture of Health is designed to deliver a modern integrated health system over the next five years and beyond, based on stronger and more visible primary care services; more health services provided locally in the community; and specialist hospital inpatient services organised to provide more rapid access and the best clinical outcomes.
The Board’s decision on the full set of proposals contained in A Picture of Health is detailed in Appendix 1 of this press release.
Throughout the three-month consultation process significant public interest focussed on proposals to modernise acute hospital services. At the meeting of the Board on 24 May, the Board had reaffirmed its view that the status quo was not sustainable and that significant improvements to the quality of care will be achieved by moving to a new model of two emergency acute hospitals, one planned care acute hospital and an enhancement of minor injury and illness services in the community. The Board also agreed choose the best option for developing the hospitals on the basis of quality of care, cost, access, workforce, flexibility and regional impact.
In light of the responses received during public consultation, the Board asked for the following additional evidence papers to be prepared and presented at the June Board Meeting:
· full commentary and analysis of responses received
· deprivation, its links to health and any relationship with the location of emergency inpatient facilities
· older people, their particular health needs and issues of access to emerging inpatient facilities
· workforce considerations arising from acute hospital reconfiguration
· the financial impact of the options
· equality and diversity impact assessment.
Following full consideration of all the papers presented at the May and June Board Meetings, the Board approved A Picture of Health, including the option which would deliver the greatest benefit to patients and the highest quality of clinical outcomes based on the overall outcome of the decision criteria that is to develop Wishaw General Hospital and Hairmyres Hospital as emergency inpatient hospitals and Monklands Hospital as the planned (elective) care hospital.
NHS Lanarkshire Board Chairman Ken Corsar said:
“The Board has taken a view on all the proposals in A Picture of Health which we fully believe will deliver modern and sustainable health services for the future.
“We have received substantial evidence to support the need for change. Given the strength of view throughout the consultation that quality of care was the most important determinant, we believe the recommendation we have made today is the right one for Lanarkshire to achieve this and to enable continued substantial investment throughout the NHS in Lanarkshire.
“I would like to thank all those who have participated in the consultation process as their input has been invaluable and I look forward to continued involvement in the shaping of health services for the future.”
Medical Director Dr John Browning explained the benefits this option will bring to the people of Lanarkshire. He said:
“The proposals in A Picture of Health will make life better for the people of Lanarkshire by doing more to help people stay healthy, as well as by developing high quality sustainable health services which are integrated across the patient’s whole journey and responsive to the needs of all.
“The Board considered the responses to the consultation and the supplementary evidence papers, along with the decision criteria in relation to the acute hospitals.
“We recognised the main area of concern during consultation was the impact of the proposals in terms of access for people living in areas of deprivation or for older people travelling to hospital. The evidence provided to the Board confirmed that neither option would lead to journey times in an emergency which were likely to be clinically significant and the vast majority of people would continue to receive NHS services within their current locale, or even more locally.
“While there are clear links between deprivation and ill health A Picture of Health is full of proposals to address this through major investment in primary care, in prevention and through joint community planning.
“There was very little between the two acute hospital options in the decision criteria apart from the timeframes and logistical difficulties of developing Monklands as an emergency hospital, and the overall costs and risks.
“Hairmyres Hospital can be developed as an emergency hospital four years earlier than Monklands. While the difference in the cost between the two options is material it is not about the money, it is about what that money can buy. To develop Monklands as an emergency hospital would cost an additional £50m capital, and £8m year on year to pay for the extra capital. This investment can provide more patient benefits by supporting the further expansion of primary and community care to deliver more clinical services, drugs, screening and staff.”
The Board will now submit the decisions taken today in respect of A Picture of Health to the Deputy Minister for Health and Community Care for consideration and approval.
Supplementary Information:
Appendix 1: The Recommendations
Appendix 2: Continuing Care for Older People
Appendix 3: Palliative Care Services
Appendix 4: Acute Psychiatric Services
Appendix 5: Emergency and Planned Care Hospital Services
Click here to access the papers from the Board meeting.