COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS. FINAL Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 21 st March pm to 6.00pm

Transcription

1 COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS FINAL Minutes of the Meeting held on Thursday 21 st March pm to 6.00pm Trust Conference Room, Burtonwood Wing, Warrington Present: Allan Massey Chairman (Chair) Roy Radley Helen Reay Charles Coughlan Peter Harvey Alfred Clemo Jean Pownall Doreen Shotton Janet Walker David Ellis David Trowbridge Paul Campbell Carole Astley Iris Keating Carol Over Deb Mandal Sue Bennett Catherine Vannerem Partner Governor Warrington CCG Brian Miller Partner Governor Halton LINk In Attendance: Mel Pickup Simon Wright Phil Cantrell Chris Horner Cath Hill Clare Briegal Carol Withenshaw Allan Mackie Colin Reid Gayle Healey Apologies: Joe Davies Jane Birch Colin Daniels Cllr Pat Wright Cllr Sue Edge Anne Turner Rory Adam Lynne Lobley Helen Bourner Jonathan Stephens Karen Dawber Caroline Salden Chief Executive Chief Operating Officer Medical Director Associate Director of Communications Associate Director of Business Planning (part) Board Secretary & Secretary to the Governors Council (Trust Secretary) Governor & Membership Officer (Minutes) Partner Governor - Warrington & Halton Commercial Sector Partner Governor Warrington Borough Council Partner Governor Halton Borough Council Partner Governor Warrington LINk Director of Commercial & Corporate Development Director of Finance and Deputy Chief Executive Director of Governance & Workforce Associate Director of Commercial and Corporate Development Minutes of the Governors Council 1 of 7

2 W&HHFT/COG/13/12 - Welcome, Apologies and Introductions The Chairman welcomed all Governors, Staff, s, to the meeting of the Council of Governors. The Chairman thanked all Partner Governors for their support as this was their last meeting. Apologies - See above listing. WHHFT/COG/13/13 Declarations of Interest in agenda items 71 There were no interests declared in relation to the agenda items for the meeting. WHHFT/COG/13/14 Annual Planning Process feedback The Associate Director of Business Planning provided an update of the Annual Plan process for 2013/ /16. She provided an overview of the Trusts Annual Plan timeframe and explained that a survey had been created based on feedback of the themes from the Governors facilitated session, senior teams and clinician sessions that were linked in to the Trust s Quality, People, Sustainability (QPS) framework. She explained that the survey had been approved by the Communications and Membership Committee (CAMC) and would be distributed to members shortly. The results would form the basis of the Annual Plan for 2015/16 with the draft plan presented to the Trust Board and Council of Governors before submission to Monitor in May. The Council of Governors approved the member s Annual Plan survey and the Chairman thanked the Associate Director of Business Planning for the update. WHHFT/COG/13/15 Minutes of Previous Meeting The minutes of the meeting held on the 31 st January 2013 were approved as a true and accurate record subject to the following amendments: Minute 11 Delivery to be changed to Diversity Minute 13 & 14 remove the from the Joe O Grady Minute 41 congratulation to be changed to congratulated Minute 46 to include be in and would the Executive Lead DIPC It was noted that the minute numbers were to be amended. WHHFT/COG/13/16 Action Plan 80 There were no actions arising from the meeting held on 31 st January Minutes of the Governors Council 2 of 7

3 WHHFT/COG/13/17 Chairman s Report The Chairman provided the following verbal report: Michael Ashley: The Chairman read out a letter addressed to Mr Ashley written by Karen Dawber; Director of Governance and Workforce, in response to concerns Mr Ashley had raised in a letter that he had sent to Governors. The letter requested that Mr Ashley refrain from addressing himself as a Governor and confirmed that the concerns he had raised would be investigated and reported back to the Council. Governors: The Chairman advised that Joe Davies: for North Mersey had responded to the Trust Secretary s communication to formally ask what his intention was regarding a previous indication of resignation. Joe Davies had responded via written communication that he was currently unwell and was waiting for advice from his GP before he gave a formal decision of whether he will remain a Governor. The Chairman clarified that all Governors are required to attend three Council of Governor meetings each year unless they have good reason not to attend and the Council was informed of non-attendance prior to each meeting. He reported that in 2012/2013 Mr Davies had attended one Council of Governors meeting out of six and had not met his requirement as a Governor. The Chairman advised that it was unclear as to what date Mr Davies had become ill and what his medical condition was which may have been a reason why he was unable to attend Council meetings throughout the year and asked for the views of the Council on how to proceed. The Council agreed there was concern that the North Mersey Constituents did not have Governor representation during this time, and agreed to give Mr Davies an opportunity to provide a definitive response on whether he wanted to remain as a Governor before the next elections in June. The Council asked that the Trust Secretary contact Joe Davies again to clarify if his illness was preventing him from conducting his Governor duties. Governor Training: The Chairman advised that Governor training would be a high priority for the Trust to provide support to Governors in equipping them to fulfil their role. Training would be provided in-house which would be implemented primarily through Governor Sub Committees. Training themes would include patient care and awareness of Trust services. All Governors would receive the Trust induction that is given to staff. The Chairman explained that Governor roles and responsibilities training would be provided in-house organised by the Trust Secretary and would be supplemented by external training from the North West Secretaries Group, the Foundation Trust Network and the North West Leadership Academy. The Chairman explained that there would be work for both Governors and Non-Executive Directors in defining how the Council would hold the s individually and collectively to account for the performance of the Board. He explained as this was a statutory requirement, consideration would be required to support Governors and Non- Executives in fulfilling the requirement. The Chairman proposed that a small working committee of Governors and Non-Executives with the Trust Secretary be set up to investigate and propose to the Council how this can be achieved and asked for volunteers. The following agreed to take part: Janet Walker, Paul Campbell, Carole Astley, Deb Mandal, Minutes of the Governors Council 3 of 7

4 Allan Mackie, Carol Withenshaw, Clare Briegal, Directors: The Chairman notified the Council that Jonathan Stephens was to leave the Trust at the end of May to commence a position at Alder Hey Hospital. He thanked Jonathan for his work and wished him well. He also confirmed that Helen Bourner had now left the Trust due to relocation to Bradford and thanked her for her work on behalf of the Council. The Chairman also notified the Council that Allan Mackie, would complete his term as and Deputy Chairman on 31 st May He explained that the vacancy would be advertised through the Veredus recruitment agency and in the local press to complete the appointment on 1 st June IRA Bombing Memorial: The Chairman notified the Council that he had represented the Trust at the IRA Bombing memorial that was held on 23 rd March for Jonathan Ball and Tim Parry. The Council noted the content of the Chairman s Report. WHHFT/COG/13/08 Chief Executives Report The Chief Executive reported on the following matters: Cheshire & Merseyside Treatment Centre (CMTC): The Chief Executive reported that the official opening of the CMTC on the 8 th March which provided a showcase of the services held there had been a great success. The event had been attended by Governors and local MPs that were very impressed with the centre. She added that patients who had used the centre praised the services highly. Francis Report: The Chief Executive confirmed that the long awaited Francis Report had been published, following the events at Mid Staffordshire Hospitals. She explained that the Report contained recommendations on the role of commissioning, supervisory and regulatory bodies, culture and behaviours for the NHS. The Chief Executive advised that the Trust would be arranging staff sessions to assess the implementation of the recommendations into the risk management system. Care Quality Commission (CQC) Unannounced Inspection: The Chief Executive reported that Trust was waiting for the CQC to publish their report of the unannounced visit that was held at the Warrington site on 23 rd January that focused on safeguarding, medicines, record keeping and staffing. She explained that until the report had been published full details could not be given to the Council however; the CQC had advised verbally that the Trust met all the Essential Standards for Quality and Safety and had been fully compliant in all areas and therefore would not be placing any concerns against the Trust. The Chief Executive informed the Council that the CQC had conducted another unannounced inspection on 20 th March at the Pathology Department at the Warrington site and was the first inspection that had been held for that particular department in the North West. She explained that the visit had focused on systems and processes within the department and was pleased to announce that she had received very positive feedback from the CQC inspection team and was waiting for the full published details. Monitor Visit: The Chief Executive informed the Council that Regional Northern Representatives from Monitor, the Independent Regulator for Foundation Trusts had visited the Warrington site on 19 th February to discuss issues around quality and safety. She Minutes of the Governors Council 4 of 7

5 explained that the Representatives had interviewed the Chairman, s and Directors separately on the same issues to ensure continuity. She was pleased to announce that the Monitor Representatives were satisfied and gave no recommendations for improvement Executive Team: The Chief Executive advised that there had been a number of negative and misleading reports in the press recently relating to the vacancy for the position of the Director of Finance and Corporate Development. The article sought to criticise the Trust for advertising a so called new position, after the announcement that the Trust would be reducing vacant posts. She explained that the Director of Finance position was a statutory requirement and therefore was required to be filled. The Chief Executive added that due to the 11m saving the Trust was required to achieve in the next financial year the Director of Commercial and Corporate Development would not be replaced, instead the duties of the post would be distributed to the remaining executive board members. The Chief Executive explained that the requirement to meet the sustainability challenge and to do this there was a need to reduce the number of posts within the trust which are vacant and were not required to help meet the 11m financial savings in the next financial year. She explained that the posts that had been vacant for some time would be looked at in the first instance. Consultation with staff and staff side had been very positive and understood the challenges faced by the Trust in reducing costs. The Chief Executive advised that a new Bright Idea s initiative had commenced within the Trust to enable staff to provide ideas for cost improvement and efficiency savings. This had been well received and a number of suggestions had already been made. All suggestions would be considered and regular updates would be communicated to staff as projects were developed throughout the year. The Council noted the Chief Executive s report. WHHFT/COG/13/19 Constitution Amendments arising from the Health and Social Care Act The Chairman reported that the changes to the Health and Social Care Act requirements and the amendments to follow Monitors Model code had been approved by the Trust Board on 27 th February 2013 following notification of the changes to the Governors. He advised that any additional amendments could be made after 1 st April 2013 with any proposals on additional changes to be discussed and approved by the Board and the Council. The Council agreed the Constitution Amendments arising from the Health and Social Care Act WHHFT/COG/13/20 Consultation with Constituency members Public: There was no feedback from Public Constituency members. Staff: There was no feedback from Staff Constituency members. Partner: Catherine Vannerem; Partner Governor, and Brian Miller; Partner Governor, expressed thanks to the Council of Governors for being so welcoming and wished the Trust the very best for the future. WHHFT/COG/13/21 Report from Governor Committees 1. Compliance with Authorisation Committee 12 th February The Council noted the draft minutes of the Compliance with Authorisation Committee held Minutes of the Governors Council 5 of 7

6 on 12 th February Quality in Care Committee 12 th March Doreen Shotton, and Chair of the Quality in Care Committee presented the draft minutes for the QIC held on 12 th March She explained that 5 Governors who regularly attend the QIC also regularly attend unannounced Governors Ward Inspections and asked if any other Governors were interested in attending Ward Inspections to contact Janet Walker;. Doreen Shotton advised that the QIC held on 12 th March had been Brian Miller; Partner Governor s last Governor Committee meeting and thanked him for his support and the positive reports he had provided to Halton LINk. The Council noted the comments of the Quality in Care Committee held on 12 th March Communications and Membership Committee 20 th March David Ellis, and Chair of the Communications and Membership Committee presented the draft minutes for the CAMC held on 20 th March He explained that the committee had discussed the Annual Plan survey which would be distributed to members in the next Your Hospitals newsletter at the end of March. David Ellis reported that the Committee had discussed the resource implications of distributing a Governor letter to each constituent on an annual basis and whether it was beneficial to the Trust Membership. The Committee agreed due to cost implications that a short article focused on 2 or 3 Governors would be inserted into the members newsletter over the next few issues to ensure that Governor messages would be circulated to all members. David Ellis reported that the Committee discussed the potential of a Youth Council that could engage younger people within the membership. He advised that the Committee had contacted Jane Scott; Modern Matron, for advice with issues such as safeguarding and was awaiting feedback. David Ellis reported that the Committee was provided with an update on the discharge survey that was almost complete. He explained that the survey would be distributed via over the next few weeks with the results to be primarily reported at the next CAMC meeting in May. David Ellis advised that the Committee discussed the 2 nd Draft of the Membership Strategy that would focus on the engagement and quality of members rather than numbers in the next financial year. He advised that the Strategy included recommendations from the Francis Report that included communication to the membership and the general public. He advised that the Committee had agreed to increase the minimum age to 16 years, copies of the membership strategy were available to Governors at the end of the meeting and asked for Governors to send comments to the Associate Director of Communications. The final draft of the Membership Strategy would be presented to the Trust Board for approval prior to the Council of Governors meeting in May. It was noted that the increase in age to 16 years would require a change to the Constitution which would be addressed on the presentation of the final strategy to the Trust Board. David Ellis reported that the Committee had agreed that the next Open Day would take place in August and be a bigger event than previous years with more tours however, a date had not yet been agreed. Minutes of the Governors Council 6 of 7

7 120 The Council noted the comments of the Communications and Membership Committee held on 20 th March WHHFT/COG/13/22 Any Other Business There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting. Dates of future meetings: Date: Thursday 30 th May 2013 Time: 4.00pm till 6.00pm Venue: Trust Conference Room, Warrington Hospital. The agenda and minutes of this meeting may be made available to public and persons outside of Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust as part of the Trust s compliance with the Freedom of Information Act Minutes of the Governors Council 7 of 7