Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Peter Adams, David Evans, Tracey Huff and Peter Nutting.  Councillor Paul Wynn substituted for Councillor Adams and Councillor Dean Carroll substituted for Councillor Peter Nutting.

Members are reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate. 

Members were reminded that they must not participate in the discussion or voting on any matter in which they had a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest and should leave the room prior to the commencement of the debate.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2016 as a correct record, attached marked:  3

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2016 were confirmed as a correct record.

To receive any public questions or petitions from the public, notice of which has been given in accordance with Procedure Rule 14.  Deadline for notification is 5.00 pm on Friday 28 October 2016.

Notification had been received of two questions from members of the public. Questions from Mr Deaves related to the CCG Interim Decommissioning and Disinvestment Policy and questions from Mrs G George requested the Committee’s support for rural midwife-led maternity units and minor injuries units.  The questions and responses provided are attached to the signed minutes.

Mr Deaves was present at the meeting was was invited to ask his supplementary question following the item on Shropshire CCG Recommissioning and Disinvestment. 

To receive any questions of which Members of the Council have given notice.  Deadline for notification is 5.00 pm on Friday 28 October 2016.

There were no questions from Members.

Simon Freeman – Accountable Officer Shropshire CCG and Ros Francké, Director of Finance Shropshire Community Health Trust will be present at the meeting. 

The Committee have requested the following information:

i)     An explanation of Shropshire CCG’s financial situation and explanation of how it is intended to meet the necessary savings

ii)    An explanation of the CCG’s Recommissioning and Disinvestment Policy

iii)   A clear explanation of how services proposed for disinvestment/recommissioning have been identified

iv)   An explanation of how communication and engagement with your stakeholders, including the Council, Voluntary Sector and public will be carried out

The Committee will ask questions on the above areas and will also explore the impacts of the

recommissioning/disinvestment in the services identified. 

Documents attached, marked 6: 

CCG Governing Body Paper 10 August 2016 – Decommissioning and Disinvestment Interim

Policy

CCG Governing Body Paper 10 August 2016 – Disinvestment and Decommissioning Decision

Paper

CCG Governing Body Paper 14 September 2016 - Decommissioning and Disinvestment Update Paper

The Chairman welcomed Simon Freeman, Accountable Officer Shropshire CCG, Ros Francke, Director of Finance Shropshire Community Health Trust and Debbie Kadum, Chief Operating Officer Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital Trust to the meeting. 

Dr Freeman explained that he had been in post as Interim Accountable Officer for Shropshire CCG for two weeks.  His remit was to understand and stabilise the financial position and provide a recovery plan to NHS England that would address a year end deficit now projected to be £26 million.  He confirmed that the full £26m would not have to be achieved in a single year and it had been agreed that it would be possible to have a 2017/19 year end deficit of £20m.  It was also confirmed that the deficit would be funded by an increased allocation from NHS England, and not from reserves or borrowing so interest would not be payable. 

He said the number one priority for the CCG was appropriate, safe healthcare for patients.  However, difficult decisions would need to be taken about what the CCG would do or not do in the future.  He confirmed his commitment to proper and appropriate engagement with all stakeholders and the public in decision making and accepted that the way the interim Decommissioning and Disinvestment policy had been previously handled was unfortunate.    

Members asked for clarification around what Dr Freeman referred to as ‘proper and appropriate’.  He explained that he meant in an open and transparent way so that the basis of any decision was clear.  Members said they were reassured to an extent by this but consultations in the past had been difficult to understand and had not identified the knock on effects, for example on other stakeholders such as the Council or voluntary sector.  Assurance was needed that the public would be able to understand what was going on, the terms ‘disinvestment and decommissioning’ were not easily understood. 

In response to questions, it was confirmed that NHS England required all CCGs to have a clear policy on recommissioning and disinvestment of services.  Shropshire CCG’s policy was expected to be finalised in a number of weeks and was likely to be presented to the CCG’s December board meeting.  Dr Freeman confirmed that there were no decommissioning or disinvestment proposals currently in existence, the list previously identified was on hold and it would be remiss not to consider the unintended consequences of any decisions proposed in future. Individual decisions would be brought to consultation as necessary.   Members emphasised that the implications of any decisions needed to be clearly recognised and absolutely transparent. 

The Chairman asked about the status of Lifestyle Physiotherapy which he understood had come to the end of its contract and not been renewed.  Dr Freeman said he would check the position and report back on this. 

The CCG would not change the thresholds to treatment but would have to deploy its resources in the best possible way.   As an example he cited investment in an effective falls strategy as having the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.