Issue - meetings

Report attachded.

The Committee was advised that the collaboration between BHRUT and Barts Health was in line with recent legislation covering areas such as the role of Integrated Care Systems. This encouraged providers to work more in collaboration than competition. The primary motivation for the closer collaboration was to achieve better outcomes for residents. Officers added that Trusts often collaborated and this partnership presented an opportunity to see what could be done better together.

Closer working would help BHRUT to deal better with the challenges of population growth in the sector. Local hospitals were being made more resilient by for example the opening of a new ED at King George Hospital in November. Collaborative work was also undertaken with the London Ambulance Service and for example the Royal London Hospital on emergency care pathways at Queens Hospital.

A Member suggested the new Chair of the two Trusts be invited to the next meeting of the Joint Committee. Concerns were raised however over whether BHRUT would remain independent and whether the Trust Chief Executive would remain as the accountable officer for the Trust. The Trust Chief Executive confirmed there was no plan for a merger and that he would remain as the accountable officer. It would be for the Chair to decide on the make-up of the Trust boards. The joint arrangements were only scheduled to April 2022 at present. Joint appointments could not be ruled out if they were felt to deliver better outcomes for all residents in North East London.

Members raised concerns that many services were being centralised to Inner North East London and officers responded that they wished to use their assets better give better accessibility of services to all residents. Consideration was being given to what additional services could be introduced at Barking Commmunity Hospital. It was hoped to reduce variation in services across the whole of North East London.

The Joint Committee noted the position.