Agenda and draft minutes

2.

Response to the Consultation on the Trust Special Administrator’s draft report

2.1

The Mayor introduced members to the joint meeting and accepted this item as a late report. He explained the late circulation of papers was a direct result of the TSA timetable which was very restrictive given the complex nature of the proposals. He said in his 36 years of public life he had never encountered an issue which had generated such grave public concern.

2.2

The background to, and an overview of the TSA consultation was then given by the Chief Executive, following which the Mayor invited members of all three bodies present to raise questions.

2.3

Councillor Maines asked if the hospital could be locally listed and whether it could be added to the Register of Community Assets. He also asked for confirmation of the status of the Kaleidoscope Centre. He went onto to point out the ‘Picture of Health’ recommendations had never been delivered and he asked if the community based Care Strategy could be fully integrated with Social Services.

2.4

The Executive Director of Community Services explained the Council was always prepared to work with the Hospital and CCG to develop community based services and prevent unnecessary admissions. However spreading a largely elderly client group with a complex range of problems over 4 hospitals would prove more difficult.

2.5

The Director of Children’s Social Care confirmed Kaleidoscope had been transferred to the Hospital.

2.6

The Head of Law reported the Localism Act 2011 specifically excluded local authorities from adding buildings to the Register of Community Assets.

2.7

In terms of local listing, the Deputy Mayor said some of the hospital buildings were already listed but that this afforded very limited protection against development.

2.8

Councillor Wise asked if the Coroners Service formed part of the discussion and was informed by the Chief Executive that it did not but that there was to be a Londonwide review in any event.

2.9

Councillor Hall asked if the TSA had received proper legal advice from the Department for Health or from the Treasury prior to embarking upon this process. The Chief Executive said there were key legal and interpretative questions which required examination as it seemed as if the TSA had broadened his responsibilities beyond what was allowed by statute. The Head of Law confirmed the Unsustainable Provider Regime provisions were drawn very narrowly and that the guidance issued two days before the appointment of the TSA appeared to be much more widely drafted than allowed by the statutory framework.

2.10

Councillor Fitzsimmons asked about risk assessments on major incidents in the context of Lewisham lacking an A&E Department and was informed by the Mayor none had been done.

2.11

Councillor Jacq Paschoud added that she was concerned about any reduction in critical care and the implications for routine surgery that might go wrong.

2.12

Councillor Feakes asked if changes to commissioning would impact on Council services and if arrangements relied on hospitals bidding for work  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.