Agenda item

The RUH Programme team will provide the committee with a further update on the on the health and care vison/support model being developed and how this will shape any potential business case bids to invest in the RUH infrastructure.

The committee is invited to comment on the developments and consider how it may wish to scrutinise going forward.

Richard Smale, Executive Director of Strategy and Transformation, at B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group, provided an update on the development of the health and care model. The director reiterated that they were focusing on how best to join up services and learning the lessons about how technology and services were delivered during the pandemic. He explained that the model was also an opportunity to do things differently, such as adapting services to specific locations, for example in rural areas. Emphasising that the development of the plans was part of a longer-term conversation, he then invited the committee to submit questions.

During the discussion the following points were made:

• Members thanked the director for the update, praising both the ambition and realism of the plan.

• Members stated that they would welcome further details about how the goals would be implemented. They also queried whether certain changes, such as the roll out of new technology would be able to be implemented as quickly without the plan. The director emphasised that the plan was the starting point for further conversation and that extra funding would be delivered for hospitals and diagnostics.

• The director noted that a better integrated system would allow a greater opportunity for local services, such as optometry, to input into the system.

• Given the importance of the social aspect of shaping a healthier future, questions were asked about the level of engagement with groups not overtly connected to healthcare, such as parish councils or voluntary groups.

• Members agreed with the director about the need for an honest conversation with patients, for example recognising that some services could only be delivered in certain locations and care could be carried out by a range of health staff.

• Lucy Townsend, Corporate Director of People, stated that she would welcome further engagement opportunities around the implications of the plans for local authorities, the governance framework and financial modelling.

• Richard Smale noted that he would welcome feedback from as many groups as possible and stressed that the committee was critical to overseeing how the plan met the needs of the Wiltshire population. 

• Clarity was sought about the title of the project as well as the involvement of other hospitals and the planned Integrated care System (ICS). The director explained that the title originated from plans for financial investment in the RUH, but it was only a single piece of the jigsaw and what was ultimately built would depend on how wider system developed. Further details about possible investment in diagnostics and Salisbury District Hospital would be available in due course.

• Members stated that they would welcome further updates at a future meeting, particularly in terms of delivery and project costs. 

Resolved

1)    To note the update on the health and care vison and support model being developed and how this will shape any potential business case bids to invest in the RUH infrastructure.

2)    To receive a further report at a future meeting, after the 2 November – 14 December consultation, providing further information on the issues raised by Committee today.