Agenda and minutes

The Chairman reminded memebrs of the actions to be taen in case of an emergency.

Apologies were received from Councillors Julie Wilkes (LB Havering), Beverley Brewer (LB Redbridge), and Sunny Brar (LB Redbridge). Apologies were also received from Ian Buckmaster (Healthwatch Havering).

There were no disclosures of interests.

To approve the minuets of the previous meeting.

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Committee was presented with a report on Tackling Cancer at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT).

It was explained to Members that progress had been within BHRUT with regards to cancer targets. It was noted that there was a correction in the report to more than 700 referrals per week. The progress within the Cancer Service was evidenced by the number of patients waiting for urgent, 2 week appointments having been reduced from over 900 to 0 in 3 months. Members also noted the community diagnostics centre in Barking Community Hospital was due to be operational in early 2024.

In response to questions from Members, it was explained that the demographic for bowel cancer screening was being increased from 60-76 years to 50-76 years by 2025.

The Committee did not make any recommendations and noted the report.

The Committee was presented with a health update from various NHS services.

Officers from NHS North East London explained to members that the Health & Wellbeing hub at St. George’s had been finished. The Freedom for Staff to Speak Up (FTSU) campaign was explained to members in the aftermath of the high profile Lucy Letby criminal case with all trusts ensuring they would stop up the activity surrounding FTSU. It was explained to members that the financial position was challenged but the deficit was in-line with other London and National Integrated Care Boards (ICBs).

Following on, officers from BHRUT gave updates on various issues such as type 1 performance of Urgent & Emergency Care which was over the national target by 20%. It was described to Members that the trust was no longer the lowest performer for seriously ill patients. The financial position was then explained to members, who noted a deficit of £15.9million year to date but cutting the deficit would not affect the quality or safety of the services. It was noted that the recent strikes had cost the trust £5.9million. The Trust was however looking to upskill staff with a new digital system with all improvements moving the Trust from the bottom 20% of performers to the middle 60%.

North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) presented Members with their updates. It was explained to members that NELFT had been charged with corporate manslaughter and was currently in a legal process but the Trust wase keeping any impacts under review. It was then explained to the Committee that the national Right Care Right Person programme was due to go live in the following weeks after the meeting.

The Committee made no recommendations and noted the reports from the various services.

The Committee were presented with a report on system recovery and resilience.

Officers explained that the winter planning process had started in the previous March with a system strategic coordination centre delivered by the ICB in December 2023.

The Committee made no recommendations and noted the report.

The Committee was presented with a report on the delivery plan for recovering access to primary care.

Members were pleased to note that care patients received a good quality service with an increase in GPs but the experience within primary care settings and the availability of appointments has decreased. Members noted the need to retain and continue to increase the number of GPs.

The Committee made no recommendations and noted the report.