Agenda item

Geoff Underwood, Programme Director, NHS South, Central and West addressed the Panel, a summary of the presentation is set out below.

Public engagement

• 2nd November – 14th December

• Online survey – 915 responses

• Engagement meetings and workshops, mostly online – 51 events involving over 1,400 attendees

• Interviews and meetings focusing on harder to reach groups

• Final report due 17th January

Emerging themes

• Generally positive response to the model but many wanted more detail, including how the new way of working will be funded

• How will it link with other partners, domiciliary care, care homes, social care, the voluntary sector?

• Overall – strong appetite for future engagement as plans develop.

He said that the term ‘digital by default’ might need amending / clarifying as this was meant to show how we can be smart in the use of data and new apps and was not meant to disadvantage those who are not so familiar with IT or who have connectivity issues.

Simon Cook, Shaping a Healthier Future Programme Director addressed the Panel.

Next steps

January

• Update the model based on feedback from the engagement

• Likely to produce more detailed documents/media to explain the model in more depth

• Initiate work on aligning operational planning and transformation plans with the model

February

• Confirmation at BSW Partnership Executive (18th) and BSW Partnership Board (25th)

March

• Complete alignment of plans for 22/23 to the model

April-June

• Delivery of operational plans and transformation programmes ahead of the formal launch of the Integrated Care System in July

He asked to further update the Panel in March and for them to consider whether a formal public consultation was required.

Kevin Burnett asked if part of the consideration with the term ‘digital by default’ was not only access to technology but the possible loss of human contact and understanding.

Geoff Underwood replied that they recognise the concerns that have been raised and do not want to exclude anyone from taking part or understanding this process or what it means for their services in the future. He added that it was hoped that the programme, for a large number of people, would increase their options to access care.

Kevin Burnett asked what the difference is between the current ‘public engagement process’ taking place and a ‘formal public consultation’.

Simon Cook replied that a formal consultation would take place over 12 weeks and is normally required when major service changes are planned that have a risk of disadvantaging some members of the public in some way, such as closing an A&E or a maternity unit. He added that there is no intention of that with this programme as it is an investment project and in fact the Trust is planning to invest in an Alongside Midwifery Unit and new Integrated Accident and Emergency unit.

He said that a six week period of public engagement had already taken place towards the end of 2021 across BSW and that the Wiltshire Health Select Committee had commented that the findings had highlighted the same issues that it was already aware of. A further 6 weeks would be unlikely to yield additional issues due to the diminishing returns of engagement.

He stated that a formal consultation would also involve additional costs, submission of two further business cases and could possibly result in the delay of 1 year.

The Chairman commented that a large number of B&NES residents were without adequate internet provision, that more detail of the plans were required and that they need to have a real benefit to our community

Councillor Liz Hardman said that she felt that an Equalities Impact Assessment was required as part of the process for the Programme.

Geoff Underwood said that a high level of provision has been set within B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire. He added that they would seek advice on how best to carry out the Equalities Impact Assessment.

Simon Cook stated that further details of the Programme would be forthcoming as it moves forward and that the next stage would be the production of an Outline Business Case.

The Chairman said that he wanted the project to be successful, but warned not to leave members of the public behind.

The Panel RESOLVED to note the update.