Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

At this point Members must declare whether they have an interest, whether personal or prejudicial, in any of the items on the agenda. Members must also declare if they are subject to their party group whip in relation to any items under consideration.

There were no declarations of interest or whipping declarations.

The decision notice for each decision will bear the date on which it is published and will specify that the decision may then be implemented on the expiry of 3 working days after the publication of the decision (not including the date of publication), unless a request for call-in of the decision is received from any two Members of a Scrutiny Committee or Scrutiny Commissions..  If a request for call-in of a decision is received, implementation of the decision remains suspended for consideration by the relevant Scrutiny Committee or Commission.

There were no matters for call in.

To receive a presentation from Officers of the Peterborough NHS on the Peterborough NHS Financial Recovery Plan

The Interim Chief Executive, NHS Peterborough presented the Financial Plan and Budget subject to review 2010/11 report that was received by the NHS Peterborough board at its meeting on 25 March 2010.

In presenting her report, the Interim Chief Executive made the following comments:

• At the end of month 11, the PCT faced a £11.8 million deficit plus risks.  A contributing factor to this situation was increased service activity that had not been forecast.
• Planned savings had not been fully achieved at year end as the recovery plan had been delivered but not to the extent hoped for;
• All internal and external plans would be the subject of an extensive review during March and April 2010, with high level revised plans being presented to a public meeting of the NHS Peterborough Board in  2010, with a view to implementing the plans subsequent to adoption at board level.
• The board had recently approved the approach to meet monthly in public.

In considering the report and presentation, the Committee:

• Expressed disappointment that the Chairman of the Board had declined invitations to attend meetings of the Scrutiny Commission for Health Issues where these matters were being discussed.  The Committee was informed that the Chairman was not in attendance at this meeting due to a family funeral.
• Suggested that the Chairman of the Board or a Board representative attend all future meetings of the Commission to address concerns raised
• Suggested that further efficiency savings may be met through sharing ‘back office’ services with Peterborough City Council in addition to marketing and communications.

Observations and questions were raised and responses given including:

• The NHS Board and the Chief Executive are fully aware of the seriousness of the situation, however are not able to comment further on possible impacts or outcomes until the comprehensive reviews have taken place.
• It is already the policy of the PCT to prescribe generic pharmaceuticals wherever possible and where appropriate in contracts with providers.  The public can also assist with this by opting to have generic drugs when filling prescriptions.
• The PCT would not look to cut services but would seek to redesign delivery of services to achieve savings and efficiencies whilst improving services.
• The PCT had a list of low priority procedures which were procedures that demonstrated little, limited or no clinical value, for example the removal of tattoos and tonsillectomy. 
• The PCT would provide the Commission with a list of dates of public board meetings so that Scrutiny members may attend.  The board recently agreed to meet more frequently.

Cllr Fower left the meeting at 8.13pm and did not return.

Cllr Peach left at 8.14pm and did not return.

DECISION

It was agreed that a meeting be held to further consider this matter once the Board has received its reports on the comprehensive review, which is scheduled to take place in early May 2010, and that the Interim Chief Executive and the Interim Director of Finance be invited to attend.