Agenda item - Brighton and Hove Winter Preparedness and NHS Capacity Planning Arrangements 2014

Joint report of Director of Public Health and the Chief Operating Officer of the Brighton & Hove Clinical Commissioning Group (copy attached).

50.1    This item was introduced by Wendy Young, CCH Head of Commissioning for Planned and Emergency services, and by Dr Tom Scanlon, BHCC Director of Public Health.

50.2    Having been Chair of the scrutiny panel on winter planning, Cllr Morgan welcomed the resilience plan, particularly in terms of the clear commitment for joint working across public sector services.

50.3    Members discussed workforce planning across the local public sector as a key component of resilience planning. Dr Beesley noted that recruiting to Brighton & Hove posts could be problematic, particularly for short-term contracts, and that HR leads from across the city needed to work together to recruit to the system rather than as discrete organisations.

50.4    Geraldine Hoban commented that the main performance target will inevitably be the four hour A&E wait. This is likely to prove extremely challenging, and whilst the system does need to work towards attaining this target, it is important not to lose sight of, and celebrate success in, the many other ongoing work-streams.

50.5    RESOLVED – that the board notes the plans in place to ensure that Brighton & Hove is prepared for winter pressures.