Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a report of the Medical Director, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which presented a draft of the Trust’s Annual Quality Report 2014/15.  The report was presented by Sandi Carman, Head of Patient and Healthcare Governance, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who explained that the draft Quality Report took account of the Committee’s comments made at its previous meeting.  Also in attendance for this item was Michael Harper, Chief Operating Officer, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. 

7.2

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                The discharge of patients took place each day but Saturday and Sunday had the lowest number of discharges.  Staff availability was being looked at in an attempt to address this imbalance.

·                Consideration was being given to the best way of adapting the friends and family test to cover a number of situations. 

·                Work was being undertaken with the Commissioners with regard to the incidence of pressure ulcers, but it should be noted that some care was delivered in the community and this could include a multitude of providers. 

·                Discharge information was available online to supplement the leaflets which patients were already given.  This was not, however, promoted widely, but consideration could be given as to how this could be flagged up on the Trust’s website.

·                All of the 2014/15 quality objectives had been carried forward to 2015/16, with three objectives being added as required. 

·                Patients were engaged in the process of the introduction of tent boards, which gave the name of the consultant and nurse responsible for the patient’s care.

·                The Trust’s Governors reviewed the Complaints Service and on occasions met with individual complainants.  Patients were also represented by having a Healthwatch representative on the Patient Committee.

·                All literature was badged and all staff wore badges, so that people were aware that community services were part of the Trust.  This contributed to helping people get in touch with the right service if they had any cause for complaint. 

·                Members’ comments regarding the adaptation of tent boards for those who were not ambulant and ways in which the public could be made more aware of the Quality Report would be given due consideration.

·                Statistics on patients’ length of stay were included in returns to the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and consideration would be given as to how delayed discharge could be included.

·                The Trust undertook work with Sheffield Hallam University on dementia care training, with a wide range of training being available for staff and support workers.  Details of mandatory training for staff on dementia care would be provided to Councillor Jenny Armstrong.

·                The experiences of End of Life Care patients were monitored through the patient’s family and the End of Life Care Group and were subsequently reviewed.

·                Nursing staff and medical cover operated over a 24 hour period but there was a difference at weekends, particularly in relation to Accident and Emergency services and in relation to the presence of decision makers, although it should be noted that robust support was available to the junior doctors present, at all times.

·                It was aimed to ensure that ‘Do Not Resuscitate’ notes were used discretely, as a matter of good practice.

·                In relation to the low morale of nursing staff, it should be noted that their salaries were tied to a national pay scale and the importance of supporting staff was emphasised, with particular reference to monitoring sickness patterns, particularly where stress was a feature.  A staff engagement survey also assisted in identifying any particular issues.

·                It was expected that the guidance on the timing of the presentation of quality accounts was to be revisited next year, so that all data was available for inclusion.  It was accepted that the present timescale was challenging and the Trust would welcome the Committee’s offer to raise this with the Department of Health.

·                Factors leading to cancelled operations were a lack of beds, equipment and staff.  This was currently being looked at and an action plan had been produced which could be shared with the Committee.

·                The safety priority for 2015/16 had been included as part of a national safety campaign and additional funding had been received in this connection.  There was therefore a national imperative for this priority and no specific cause for concern locally. 

7.3

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)       thanks Sandi Carman and Michael Harper for their contribution to the meeting;

(b)       notes the contents of the report and the responses to questions;

(c)        notes that the Committee’s response to the report, based on the Committee’s discussions, would be drafted by the Policy and Improvement Officer; and

(d)       requests that an item on Cancelled Operations be included in the Committee’s Work Programme.