Issue - meetings

(Report of the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee)  To report further on the rôle of the Committee in considering the savings proposals that have been made by Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust in respect of Greentrees and the Family Planning Service.

Further to the report received at the meeting of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee of 3^rd July 2006, the committee convened this Special Meeting to consult on two proposals considered to constitute “substantial variations” to services, as defined by Section 7 of the Health and Social Care Act 2001. 

The two services which the committee agreed to examine were proposed cuts to the Family Planning Service, and a reduction in the number of beds provided at Greentrees.

Representatives from the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust (PCT) outlined to the committee the circumstances which necessitated making savings.  In common with many other NHS Trusts, the PCT was facing financial pressures and had therefore had to make budget reductions.  Proposals considered by the PCT board were designed at minimising the negative effect on patients.

The committee noted the requirement of NHS bodies to consult with the public, including specifically the Overview & Scrutiny Committee, which had a statutory obligation to be consulted on any proposals containing “substantial variation or development” to services.  It was agreed by the Chair and Opposition Lead Member for Overview and Scrutiny, that the proposals relating to the Family Planning Service and Greentrees constituted “substantial variations” to services.

Members requested the opportunity to broaden the discussion into other Health issues in the borough.  However, the committee agreed that as the Family Planning and Greentrees issues qualified as “substantial variations”, discussion would be restricted to these two items. The development of Hornsey Central Hospital was not being considered as part of the current budgetary discussions as these concerned the PCT’s revenue budget.  However, the issue would be discussed at the September meeting of the Committee.

In addition to the TPCT representatives, the Committee received specific and detailed evidence from the following:

Cllr Liz Santry – Executive Member for Children's Services, Haringey Council

Jan Doust – Deputy Director of Children’s Services, Haringey Council

Maureen Dewar – Chair of Haringey PCT PPI Forum

Dave Morris and Sue Hessel – Haringey Federation of Residents Association

Dr. Maurice Cohen – Lead Clinician for Elderly Medicine, North Middlesex Hospital

Samantha Jones – Deputy Chief Executive, North Middlesex Hospital

Robert Edmonds – Age Concern and Chair of HAVCO Well Being Theme Group;

Cllr Bob Harris - Executive Member for Social Services and Health, Haringey Council

Tom Brown – Service Manager, Older People, Haringey Council

Lesley Fisher – UNISON

a) FAMILY PLANNING SERIVCE

The Primary Care Trust outlined the reasoning behind its proposed service alterations.  The Health Authority’s top-slicing of 3% of the PCT budget into the general London fund had, despite Haringey’s 8% funding increase this year, been imposed on the Trust following the budget’s formulation.

The proposals for the family planning service would see a reduction in the number clinic services, with services ceasing in Fortis Green, Bounds Green and Burgoyne Road, reducing in number at Stuart Crescent, and being reconfigured at Lansdowne Road and Lordship Lane locations to Somerset Gardens.  Service would continue to be provided at other locations, with total sessions per  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17