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Papers Trust Board - 15 July 2025
Description
Agenda Trust Board – Open Session Date 15/07/2025 Time 9:00 - 13:00 Location Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Chair
Url
/Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/2025-Trust-documents/Papers-Trust-Board-15-July-2025.pdf
Papers Trust Board - 5 November 2024
Description
Date Time Location Chair Apologies Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 05/11/2024 9:00 - 11:30 The Ark Conference Centre
Url
/Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/2024-Trust-documents/Papers-Trust-Board-5-November-2024.pdf
Papers Trust Board - 25 July 2024
Description
Agenda Trust Board – Open Session Date 25/07/2024 Time 9:00 - 13:00 Location Anaesthetic Seminar Room (CE95/99), E
Url
/Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/2024-Trust-documents/Papers-Trust-Board-25-July-2024.pdf
Papers Trust Board - 10 September 2024
Description
Agenda Trust Board – Open Session Date 10/09/2024 Time 9:00 - 13:00 Location Conference Room, Heartbeat/Microsoft Teams Chair Jenni Douglas-Todd Apologies Diana Eccles (10:00-12:00) In attendance Jessica Bown, Midwifery Quality Assurance and Safety Matron (shadowing Gail Byrne) 1 Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest 9:00 Note apologies for absence, and to hear any declarations of interest relating to any item on the Agenda. 2 Patient Story The patient story provides an opportunity for the Board to reflect on the experiences of patients and staff within the Trust and understand what the Trust could do better. 3 Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 25 July 2024 9:15 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 July 2024 4 Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions To discuss any matters arising from the minutes, and to agree on the status of any actions assigned at the previous meeting. 5 QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE Quality includes: clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (Oral) 9:20 Dave Bennett, Chair 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:25 Committee (Oral) Jane Harwood, Chair 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee (Oral) 9:30 Tim Peachey, Chair 5.4 Chief Executive Officer's Report 9:35 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.5 Patient Safety and Quality of Care in Pressurised Services 9:55 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer Attendee: Duncan Linning-Karp, Deputy Chief Operating Officer 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 4 10:05 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.7 Finance Report for Month 4 10:30 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 5.8 Break 10:40 5.9 People Report for Month 4 10:55 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer 5.10 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report 11:10 Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Diana Hulbert, Emergency Medicine Consultant and Guardian of Safe Working Hours 5.11 Learning from Deaths 2024-25 Quarter 1 Report 11:25 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience 5.12 Medical Appraisal and Revalidation Annual Report including Board 11:40 Statement of Compliance Receive and note the Annual Report. Approve the Statement of Compliance. Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer 5.13 Safeguarding Annual Report 2023-24 11:55 Receive and discuss Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Corinne Miller, Named Nurse for Safeguarding Adults/ Danielle Honey, Named Nurse for Safeguarding Children 6 STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update 12:10 Review and discuss the update Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary/Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager Page 2 7 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Register of Seals and Chair's Actions Report 12:20 Receive and ratify In compliance with the Trust Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation. Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 7.2 Health and Safety Annual Report 2023-24 12:25 Receive and discuss Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendee: Jane Fisher, Head of Health and Safety Services 7.3 People and Organisational Development Committee Terms of Reference 12:35 Review and approve Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer 8 Any other business 12:40 Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda 9 Note the date of the next meeting: 5 November 2024 10 Items circulated to the Board for reading 10.1 CRN: Wessex 2024-25 Q1 Performance Report Note the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer 11 Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair To agree, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust's Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Board of Directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. 12 Follow-up discussion with governors 12:45 Page 3 Minutes Trust Board – Open Session Date Time 25/07/2024 9:00 – 13:00 Location Anaesthetic Seminar Room (CE95/99)/Microsoft Teams Chair Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Present Dave Bennett, NED (DB) Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair (JD-T) Diana Eccles, NED (DE) Keith Evans, Deputy Chair and NED (KE) David French, Chief Executive Officer (DAF) Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer (PG) Steve Harris, Chief People Officer (SH) Jane Harwood, NED/Senior Independent Director (JH) Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer (IH) Tim Peachey, NED (TP) (until 12:00) Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer (JT) Alison Tattersall, NED (AT) Natasha Watts, Interim Deputy Chief Nursing Officer (NW) (for G Byrne) In attendance Martin De Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships (MDeS) Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary (CM) Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager (LA) (item 6.3) Kelly Kent, Head of Strategy and Partnerships (KK) (item 6.1) Marie Nelson, R&D Head of Nursing and Health Professions (MN) (item 6.2) Karen Underwood, Director of R&D (KU) (item 6.2) Kerrie Montoute, Head of Programmes, CDO Directorate at NHSE (shadowing JDT) 1 member of the public (item 2) 3 governors (observing) 3 members of staff (observing) 2 members of the public (observing) Apologies Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer (GB) 1. Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting. There were no interests to declare in the business to be transacted at the meeting. It was noted that apologies had been received from Gail Byrne. The Board welcomed Alison Tattersall, who joined the Board as a non-executive director on 1 June 2024. The Chair provided an overview of her activities since June 2024, including visits to hospital departments, meetings with peers and other key stakeholders. 2. Patient Story Georgia Blackman and her parents were invited to relate their story following Georgia’s admission with serious head and abdominal injuries after a car accident in November 2023. She had not been expected to survive, but had instead made Page 1 a very good recovery and was undergoing rehabilitation and had regained some sight. The family related their experience of being told that their daughter was going to die and the importance of how this message is delivered was highlighted. It was further noted that where a patient is between 16 and 18 years old it was necessary to consider whether they are managed as a child or as an adult in terms of their care. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 6 June 2024 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 6 June 2024. 4. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions It was noted that there were no matters arising or overdue actions. 5. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee The chair of the Audit and Risk Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 27 June 2024 and the subsequent meeting of a committee authorised to approve the final annual report and accounts for 2023/24 held on 16 July 2024. It was noted that the annual report and accounts had been submitted to NHS England on 19 July 2024 and that the Trust’s external auditor had provided a ‘clean’ audit opinion. 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee The chair of the Finance and Investment Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 22 July 2024. It was noted that: • The committee had reviewed the Finance Report for Month 3 (item 5.8). • The committee had examined the Trust’s progress on its transformation programme, and noted in particular the success in reducing length of stay by 5% for P0 patients as part of the discharge programme. • The committee received a report on the Trust’s productivity and noted that the national methodology used created a confusing position and did not incorporate the impacts of certain factors which should be included. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s activities in the digital space and noted that capital in this area was primarily used for maintenance rather than development and that there was a significant infrastructure risk due to the Trust’s current data centre set up. It was further noted that better understanding of the benefits of digital development and timescales was required. • The Trust had agreed to participate in establishing a separate legal entity to seek investment to exploit intellectual property rights jointly developed by the Trust and the University of Southampton. 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee The chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 22 July 2024. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the revised People Report for Month 3 (item 5.9), noting that the workforce plan was at risk if there was no reduction in patients having no criteria to reside and mental health demand. • The committee had reviewed the Trust’s Employee Relations activities and received an update on an investigation into comments made on social media. Page 2 5.4 5.4.1 5.5 • In its review of the Board Assurance Framework (item 6.3), it was agreed that culture also needed to be reflected in the people-related risks. Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee The chair of the Quality Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 15 July 2024. It was noted that: • In its report from the Quality Governance Steering Group, the committee noted that there were two new never events under investigation. In addition, there were national shortages of certain medicines. The committee also noted an increase in violence and aggression linked to the increasing number of patients with mental health issues. • The committee reviewed the Fundamentals of Care programme and noted that it was very comprehensive. • The committee also received updates following a visit by Southern Health and the impact of demand by patients with mental health issues on the Trust. • The committee also noted a report by the Royal College of Radiologists on the Trust’s radiotherapy department, which provided positive feedback, and noted the expansion in use and scope of the service. • In its review of the Board Assurance Framework (item 6.3), the committee noted that the risk of staff availability could be due to both unaffordability as well as national lack of availability of qualified individuals. Action Craig Machell agreed to add an item covering the impact of technology over the next 5-10 years to a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Maternity and Neonatal Safety 2024-25 Quarter 1 Report The chair of the Quality Committee was invited to provide an overview of the Maternity and Neonatal Safety 2024/25 report for the first quarter, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Under the terms of the NHS Resolution Maternity Incentive Scheme, the Board had delegated review of the report to the Quality Committee. • There had been sustained improvement in meeting the required timescales for booking of appointments and screening since April 2024. • The continuity of carer need should be focused where it could make the most difference. • Appointment of a community partner by the Integrated Care Board was expected soon. • The Trust was approximately 40 members of staff short. However, plans were in place to address this deficit, including use of newly qualified nurses on rotations and the 36 new entrants expected between November 2024 and March 2025. Chief Executive Officer’s Report David French was invited to present the Chief Executive Officer’s Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • David French had met with the new Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 19 July 2024 where the Secretary of State had outlined his priorities in terms of urgent and emergency care and addressing the backlog in elective care through using private sector capacity. In addition, it was noted that the intention for the longer term was to focus on preventative health and digital. • Following the General Election, there were also a number of new Members of Parliament for the area served by the Trust. Page 3 • On 1 July 2024, the new pathology laboratory information management system had been rolled out across the region. There had been some initial issues with providing information to primary care providers. • David French had been asked and had agreed to remain as the provider representative on the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board until September 2024. • A new referral system for Ophthalmology had been launched, which would use A/I in supporting the booking process. 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 3 Joe Teape was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 3, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s performance was in the top quartile for six out of nine measures and the top half for two others. • There had been a fairly stable period with better occupancy levels and improvements in timings of discharges. • There were ~220 patients no longer meeting criteria to reside during June 2024, and the Trust was considering a new plan with local partners for a local system delivery plan. • The Trust’s cancer performance continued to be impacted by the challenge posed by increasing demand. • The Trust’s performance against the 31-day standard had fallen to the third decile, with capacity issues in radiology and prostate services. • Further understanding of who was being referred under cancer pathways was required, as this could identify health inequality concerns in terms of who was accessing the Trust’s services. • Increases in referrals could be due to national campaigns which raise public awareness of certain forms of cancer and the possible symptoms. 5.7 Break 5.8 Finance Report for Month 3 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 3, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Nationally, the NHS’s deficit was above £1bn, representing 4-5%. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board had recorded a £57m deficit (6%) for month 3. The average deficit for university teaching hospitals was 4.1%. • The Trust had recorded a £13m deficit (year-to-date) and an in-month deficit of £4.5m. • There had been some early signs of improvement with the underlying position having improved since month 1. • The Trust’s elective recovery performance was 128% and there had been improvements in length of stay. • The Trust’s workforce numbers and pay costs were below plan, and agency numbers had halved since summer 2023. • The underlying monthly deficit was c.£5m, with approximately £1m of this attributable to unfunded pay awards and costs of industrial action. • Meeting the Trust’s plan for Quarter 2 of 2024/25 was expected to be challenging, as it assumed that the Integrated Care System’s transformation programmes would begin to deliver. • The Trust’s cash reserves were now below £30m, and the Trust might need to consider the need for additional cash from NHS England. • The Trust would continue to focus on its transformation programmes. Page 4 • The level of the anticipated pay award for 2024/25 and a likely shortfall in funding for the award was a risk to the Trust’s financial position. 5.9 People Report for Month 3 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 3, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • A number of improvements were in the process of being made to the report to incorporate a ‘heat map’ and provide additional focus on culture. • The Trust was under its overall workforce plan by 313 whole-time equivalents (WTE) at the end of June 2024. However, in terms of its overall plan, ~200 WTE were reliant on improvements in the non-criteria to reside and mental health position. • Violence and aggression remained a key concern, with increasing use by the Trust of its warning and exclusion policy. • Work was ongoing to review the number of statutory and mandatory training courses with a view toward rationalising the number. • The ‘We Are UHS’ Champions award ceremony was to be held in October 2024. • The Integrated Care Board recruitment control panel appeared to be limiting the number of requests for recruitment likely due to improved filtering taking place by the individual trusts. 5.10 Annual Complaints Report 2023-24 Natasha Watts was invited to present the Annual Complaints Report for 2023/24, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The number of complaints received had decreased slightly compared to the previous year, and the number of complaints upheld or partially upheld had decreased compared to the previous year and remained lower than the national average. • There had been four cases reviewed by the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, of which two were closed and two were partially upheld. • The overall quality of responses to complaints had improved. 6. STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Corporate Objectives 2024-25 Quarter 1 Review Martin De Sousa was invited to present the Corporate Objectives 2024/25 Quarter 1 Review, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s performance was largely positive with 11 (out of 16) objectives on track to be delivered in full. • The major risks for achievement of the objectives were the Trust’s financial position and the possible impact of this on the workforce, and the Trust’s ability to reduce the number of patients not having criteria to reside. • Inclusion of a predicted future rating for each objective in reports was to be considered. Page 5 6.2 Research and Development Plan 2024-25 Karen Underwood was invited to present the Research and Development Plan for 2024/25, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • During 2023/24, the Trust had recruited its 250,000th participant and had launched its Research for Impact strategy. • Income for 2024/25 was predicted to be lower than previously due to the impact of Covid-19-related studies on prior years. • Vacancies and the reliance on clinical support services would be a challenge for 2024/25. Decision Having discussed the proposal, the Board approved the Research and Development Plan for 2024/25. Action Ian Howard agreed to obtain clarification regarding the discrepancy between the Return on Investment table and Appendix 4 in the plan. 6.3 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Lauren Anderson was invited to present the Board Assurance Framework, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • All risks had been reviewed by the Executive leads since June 2024. • The recorded gaps and controls were being checked and the BAF would differentiate between actions and aspirations in terms of the Trust’s steps to mitigate or address areas of risk. • It was intended to more closely link the BAF risks to the Board’s agenda. • The maturity assessment undertaken during 2023/24 as part of the audit of risk management carried out by KPMG would be reviewed to determine where the Trust would be against its aspirations by the end of the year. 7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors’ (CoG) Meeting 24 July 2024 The Chair provided an overview of the meeting of the Council of Governors held on 24 July 2024. It was noted that the meeting had addressed the following matters: • The appointment of Shirley Anderson as the new Lead Governor. • Reports from the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. • The Trust’s annual report and accounts for the year ended 31 March 2024. 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report The paper ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’ was presented to the meeting, the content of which was noted. Decision: The Board agreed to ratify the application of the Trust Seal to the documents listed in the ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’. 8. Any other business There was no other business. Page 6 9. Note the date of the next meeting: 10 September 2024 10. Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Decision: The Board resolved that, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust’s Constitution and the Standing Orders of the board of directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. The meeting was adjourned. Page 7 List of action items Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 28/03/2024 4.14 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report 1127. Junior Doctors Grundy, Paul 24/10/2024 Pending Explanation action item Paul Grundy and Diana Hulbert agreed to include an item regarding junior doctors on a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Due to industrial action on 27 June, this item has been deferred to the next TBSS on 24/10/2024. Trust Board – Open Session 06/06/2024 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 1 1152. Digital Teape, Joe Explanation action item JT agreed to include Digital as an agenda item at a future Trust Board Study Session. 24/10/2024 Pending This item is tentatively scheduled for TBSS on 24/10/2024. Trust Board – Open Session 25/07/2024 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee (Oral) 1163. Impact of technology Machell, Craig 27/02/2025 Pending Explanation action item Craig Machell agreed to add an item covering the impact of technology over the next 5-10 years to a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Update: Item tentatively scheduled for 27/02/25 Study Session. Page 1 of 2 Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 25/07/2024 6.2 Research and Development Plan 2024-25 1165. Discrepancy Howard, Ian 10/09/2024 Pending Explanation action item Ian Howard agreed to obtain clarification regarding the discrepancy between the Return on Investment table and Appendix 4 in the plan. Page 2 of 2 Report to the Trust Board of Directors Title: Agenda item: Sponsor: Date: Purpose: Issue to be addressed: Response to the issue: Chief Executive Officer’s Report 5.4 David French, Chief Executive Officer 10 September 2024 Assurance Approval or reassurance Ratification Information X My report this month covers updates on the following items: • NHS Pay Offers • National Unison Campaign – Collective Pay Grievance for Healthcare Support Workers • Civil Unrest • Hampshire Together • Maternity Services and Sustainable Staffing • CQC Annual Hospital Inpatients Survey • Annual Regulation and Oversight Survey • Cass Review Implementation • Aseptic Preparation Audit • Human Tissue Authority inspection The response to each of these issues is covered in the report. Implications: Any implications of these issues are covered in the report. (Clinical, Organisational, Governance, Legal?) Summary: Conclusion The Board is asked to note the report. and/or recommendation Page 1 of 9 NHS Pay Offers On 29 July 2024, the Government announced that it would accept in full pay review body advice on NHS staff salaries and would make a pay offer to junior doctors in an attempt to end the ongoing industrial action. The Government accepted the 2024/25 recommendations of the NHS Pay Review Body for a 5.5% increase, backdated to 1 April 2024, for all Agenda for Change staff. This increase is expected to be reflected in October pay. In addition, intermediate pay bands will be created for Band 8 and 9 staff. In line with national guidance UHS will also offer back pay payments to be spread out over six months if individuals request this to help mitigate any impact on universal credit. The offer made to the junior doctors represents a 22.3% uplift over two years. This comprises an additional average of 4.05% for 2023/24 on top of the existing 8.8% implemented last year, taking the average uplift to 13.2%. In addition, 2024/25 pay would increase by an average of 12.4% against current 2023/24 payscales. The British Medical Association junior doctors committee recommends acceptance of this offer. Voting opened on 19 August and closes on 15 September 2024. The Government has also announced its intention to repeal the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023, which provides a mechanism to require workers in particular sectors, such as health, education, fire and rescue, and transport, to guarantee certain minimum levels of service during periods of industrial action. This will form part of a range of employment law modifications the government is considering, and the Board will be updated with further details once these are finalised. National Unison Campaign – Collective Pay Grievance for Healthcare Support Workers During August, UHS formally received a collective grievance relating to pay for Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs). This is a national campaign led by UNISON pushing for recognition of duties carried out by these staff, formal re-grading of pay band, and appropriate back pay. UHS has over 1,200 individuals in these roles. The Chief People Officer is formally meeting with UNISON to discuss how the matter can be resolved. Whilst this is a national campaign, we have been told not to expect national resolution and Trusts have been directed to resolve locally as appropriate. Civil Unrest The nation experienced significant violent and racially motivated civil unrest during August. Farright anti-immigration rallies were planned in a number of cities across the UK, including Southampton. Healthcare workers had been directly targeted in some parts of the country by farright groups. This understandably generated fear and concern from our black, minority ethnic communities which was raised through various routes to leaders at the Trust. Communication was sent by the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer to all staff setting out our stance on the situation and proposed practical measures, coupled with local support from managers to those who were concerned. Led by the Chief Nurse through the Trust's incident management process, we rapidly implemented practical measures in addition to wider wellbeing and psychological support. Measures included additional security, additional transport and other local actions to help with people's safe journey to work on the day of planned demonstrations. Friday prayers were also attended by the Chief Medical Officer and the Director of OD and Inclusion to provide support to our Muslim communities. The unsavoury events have also triggered a collective drive to push again to focus on the violence and aggression issues at UHS. Staff still experience unacceptable violence, aggression and hate crimes by patients and service users at UHS and across the whole NHS. A multistakeholder workshop, including police partners, is planned for 2 October 2024 to re-energise Page 2 of 9 delivery of our existing commitments. We also want to use the expertise and advice of a range of people to explore and plan where we can go further and be bolder with this important agenda. At the national level, NHS England wrote to all integrated care boards, NHS trusts and foundation trusts, GP and dental practices, pharmacy contractors, and general ophthalmic service contractors on 12 August 2024 emphasising the NHS position that ‘discrimination is unacceptable, and the NHS should have a zero tolerance of racism towards our patients and colleagues’. NHS England also sets out some guidance in the following areas for organisations to listen to and support affected staff: • Ensuring staff can access the support they need • Involving staff networks in the organisational response • Dealing with instances of racism and discrimination • Demonstrating ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion The response can be read at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/nhs-response-to-2024-riots/ Hampshire Together HM Government has announced that it is pausing approval of the business cases for the ’40 new hospitals’, of which Hampshire Hospitals is one. Public consultation had recently been completed and submission of the final business case was anticipated before the end of this year but the timing of submission and approval of the business case is now uncertain pending the national review. Separately, the ‘Save Winchester Action Group’ has written to board members of HIOW ICB with concerns regarding the proposed changes at Winchester Hospital, specifically around the loss of acute services from the Winchester site. The overall programme was discussed at the ICS board meeting on 4 September 2024. The executive has a planned session with Hampshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust executives at the end of September to discuss ideas around future models for services across all sites. Maternity Services Safe and Sustainable Staffing In August 2024, the Trust produced a briefing paper for the Care Quality Commission which provided a summary of the Trust’s action plan in respect of staffing of its Maternity services. The paper is attached as Appendix A. CQC Annual Hospital Inpatients Survey On 21 August 2024, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its adult inpatient survey for 2023. The survey examines the experiences of people over 16 who stayed at least one night in hospital during November 2023. The results showed a deterioration in people’s experiences of inpatient care since 2020, although the results for 2023 remained broadly consistent with those in 2022 and 2021. Most respondents reported a positive experience in their interactions with doctors and nurses, such as being treated with respect, dignity, kindness and compassion and being included in conversations. However, discharge from hospital remains a challenging part of people’s experience of care, with 29% saying that they had little to no involvement in decisions about their discharge, and only 48% saying that they were given enough notice about when they were going to leave. In addition, 23% of elective patients said they would have liked to have been admitted ‘a bit sooner’ and 19% ‘a lot sooner’, and 43% of elective patients believed that their health had deteriorated while waiting to be admitted. Page 3 of 9 The survey results can be viewed at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/publications/surveys/adult-inpatientsurvey Annual Regulation and Oversight Survey NHS Providers published the results of its annual regulation and oversight survey on 8 August 2024. According to the survey, trust leaders had reported an increased regulatory burden during the year, particularly noting a lack of coordination between regulators and questioning whether reporting requirements are proportionate or realistic. There were also questions as to whether regulators appropriately recognised the level of risks trusts had been absorbing in balancing the demands of financial and operational performance. Seventy-two per cent of trust leaders believed that the burden of integrated care board (ICB) regulation had increased, compared to 48% from NHS England and 36% from CQC. Less than a third of trusts were comfortable with the role of ICBs as performance managers and 62% saw their activity as duplicating that of NHS England. Respondents also questioned CQC’s credibility, feeling its judgements were not objective enough and inspection teams lacked sector-specific expertise. In addition, the majority of trust leaders would like to see a move away from the CQC’s one-word ratings, seeing it as too simplistic, often demoralising for staff, and confusing for patients. The survey report can be viewed at: https://nhsproviders.org/a-pivotal-moment-for-regulationregulation-and-oversight-survey-2024 Cass Review Implementation On 7 August 2024, NHS England published its plan to implement the advice from the Cass Review – the review of gender identity services for children and young people. This plan includes establishment of regional centres and changes to the referrals process to help trusts to deliver holistic, therapeutic and evidence-based care. The implementation plan can be read at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/children-andyoung-peoples-gender-services-implementing-the-cass-review-recommendations/ The Trust continues discussions with NHS England regarding whether Southampton could or should be one of these new regional centres. Aseptic Preparation Audit On 1 August 2024, the Trust was informed of the outcome of the external audit of unlicensed preparation of medicines for the pharmacy aseptic unit at Southampton General Hospital conducted on 4 June 2024. The unit’s operation was assessed as posing a low risk with respect to the quality of the medicines produced within it. The report also stated that the unit ‘is well managed and has good pharmaceutical quality systems in place’. Human Tissue Authority (HTA) inspection The HTA conducted an inspection of our mortuary arrangements in August. The formal feedback report has not been received but informal feedback has been shared by the inspection team. We expect the report to have no significant findings but we do anticipate a number of minor procedural and documentation recommendations. The inspection team advised us that the failings at Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells mortuary which enabled criminal activity to go unnoticed have triggered a recent ‘raising of the bar’, particularly regarding security / access arrangements. We will share the final inspection report when it is received, along with our response and action plan. Page 4 of 9 Appendix A UHS Briefing Paper to CQC Title: Maternity Services Safe and Sustainable Staffing Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Author(s): Emma Northover, Director of Midwifery Carly Springate, Head of Midwifery Marie Cann, Maternity and Neonatal Safety Lead Date: August 2024 Purpose: The purpose of this report is to note the current challenges in maternity staffing and provide assurance on the mitigations to maintain appropriate and safe staffing levels, which, in turn, ensures the delivery and support of high-quality care. Issue(s) to be addressed: Over recent weeks and months our Maternity Service has faced significant operational challenges, leading to more frequent than usual service diversions. This has led to impacts not only on the experience of our families and staff but across the wider Local Maternity and Neonatal System (LMNS). As from the beginning of July 2024, UHS Maternity Services have escalated to OPEL 4 on 23 occasions from the start of this year. Across the whole of 2023 OPEL 4 was declared 28 times. This shows a significant increase in service pressure that our Maternity Service is experiencing with staffing and acuity accounting for the majority of incidents. Whilst we are compliant with providing 1:1 care in active labour and we are safe, we are seeing an increase in other reportable red flags such as delays in induction and being unable to facilitate birthplace choices. In terms of our current position, staffing levels across the Maternity Service have remained challenging with vacancy rates across the registered workforce currently sit around 14%, equating to around 30 Whole Time Equivalents (WTE). Addressing these staffing challenges will require a coordinated effort and it is hoped that by collaborating with our partners we can develop a more comprehensive and effective approach to improving workforce provision. The enclosed plan of action sets out to address the staffing issues as much as possible until the newly qualified midwives start and vacancy is significantly reduced The DoM and the Senior Midwifery Leadership Team are committed to ensuring safe and sustainable staffing levels across UHS Maternity Services. We remain open and honest around our changing clinical environment as well as being sensitive and responsive to any rapidly changing picture. Escalation processes and frameworks are robust and well established. Further to this we have excellent engagement from our 1|Page Page 5 of 9 Maternity Safety Champions with whom we meet with regularly. This includes full support from Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer and Executive Maternity Safety Champion, and Tim Peachey, Non-Executive Director and Maternity Safety Champion, who together ensure that the DoM has a platform and a voice at Trust Board. Despite the immediate challenges in respect of the Maternity Services workforce at UHS, we are looking to offer assurances to the CQC in terms of the actions both short and longer term that are being taken and the mitigations in place to reduce harm and maintain safety to our service users. Risks (top 3) of carrying out the change or not: Summary/ conclusion • 285 - Red 20 Maternity Staffing during peaks of activity • 259 - Red 16 Capacity and Demand in Maternity Services • 617 - Orange 12 Lack of postnatal care provision (staffing) • 815 - Red 15 Poor compliance with NICE guidance for Antenatal Bookings The CQC are asked to review this report and the mitigations in place and seek further assurance if required. Page 6 of 9 2|Page Maternity Staffing Action Plan Issue/Action Progress Lead Date 1. Following a successful newly • Our current preceptorship programme (18 months in hos- Practice Aug 2024 qualified midwife recruitment pital) has been recently reviewed in terms of content and Education lead drive, 34 WTE band 5 midwives structure to ensure that these staff are retained. to join UHS Maternity Services in November 2024. 2. Utilisation of contingency • Provides contingency measures in releasing and redeploy- Head of Aug 2024 framework ing additional staff. Midwifery RAG G 3. Utilise birthrate plus as a • The last assessment of UHS Maternity Services by BR+ in Director of framework for workforce planning 2018 suggested an overall clinical establishment based on Midwifery and strategic decision making a midwife V birth ratio of 1:24, calculated against an annual birth rate of 5500 births. This is soon to be recalculated Sept 2024 A 4. Increased staff support in the • We have retained 100% of our newly qualified preceptees Head of Aug 2024 G clinical environment in addition to who started with us in November 2023. Midwifery pastoral and psychological Practice support to enhance retention of Education Lead the workforce. 5. The senior leadership team, • To review how we maintain this going forward to ensure Director of Aug 2024 G including the Director of sustainability Midwifery / Chief Midwifery (DoM), commit to a Nursing Officer high number of out-of-hours on- calls to support the service when in escalation and when staffing does not match the acuity and activity across the acute clinical areas. 3|Page Page 7 of 9 6. Two fixed term matron roles have • This provides additional cushioning to the matron team and Director of been appointed to oversee a development opportunity for our existing workforce. Midwifery antenatal and postnatal pathways. 7. Development of a systematic • This live data is reflective of total staff unavailability in- Maternity process for workforce planning in clude vacancy rates, sickness ratios, maternity leave, and Business the form of a monthly dashboard. study time, all of which is compared alongside the budg- Support eted versus actual staffing establishment overall. Manager 8. The labour ward coordinator will • This enables the labour ward coordinator to have continu- Head of not take responsibility for any ous oversight of their clinical environment and oversee Midwifery patients, or cover breaks for other safety. members of staff. 9. An extensive listening exercise • To align with current service needs, and with staff wellbe- Director of has been undertaken place to ing as a central focus, the DoM and Senior Midwifery Midwifery help inform the future direction Leadership Team are reviewing the way the service is de- and structure of the Maternity livered with the potential of a workforce restructure. Service workforce. 10. 12 – 16 Registered nurses are to • Divisions seeking staff who are interested in supporting Director of be seconded to maternity in this and with the right skillset. Midwifery interim period to help release midwife time with roles such high • A review will be undertaken to see if this could be a dependency, vaccination, longer-term proposition to support the maternity workforce fundamentals of care 11. Dedicated programmes for career • Our prime focus is to consider new ways in which we can Director of development starting at band 2 future proof our Maternity Services going forward, whilst Midwifery and progressing to band 9. investing in our people. 12. A NHSP Incentive Scheme has been agreed to run over the summer months • This action has enabled staff to feel valued and appreciated Director of for all their gestures of good will and their contributions to Midwifery Page 8 of 9 Aug 2024 G Aug 2024 G Aug 2024 G Aug 2024 A Aug 2024 A Aug 2024 A Aug 2024 A 4|Page the workforce that are worked outside of contractual commitments. 13. A review to look at tipping points • Contact to be made with the ED to review learning and any Head of (as happens in Emergency processes and systems. Midwifery Department) to be scoped introduced 14. A roster review will be • Full review of the roster template to ensure fit for purpose Maternity undertaken to ensure the correct and staff allocated correctly. Business staffing levels and skills are in Support place. Manager Aug 2024 A Aug 2024 A 15. To introduce legacy midwives • Review of legacy midwives roles and recruitment Director of Aug 2024 A (recently retired midwives) to processes. Midwifery support newly qualified staff and Practice education Education Lead R Red: Immediate remedial action required A Amber: Action in progress G Green: Complete Page 9 of 9 5|Page Report to the Trust Board of Directors Title: Agenda item: Sponsor: Author: Date: Purpose: Issue to be addressed: Patient Safety and Quality of Care in Pressurised Services 5.5 Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer Duncan Linning-Karp, Deputy Chief Operating Officer 10 September 2024 Assurance Approval or reassurance X Ratification Information Urgent and Emergency Care (UEC) services are under significant pressure nationally, with some high-profile cases of poor care highlighted, including in the press. In response NHSE has asked Trust Boards to assure themselves that they are doing all they can to: • Provide alternatives to emergency department attendance and admission, especially for those frail older people who are better served with a community response in their usual place of residence. • Maximise in-hospital flow with appropriate streaming, senior decision-making and board and ward rounds regularly throughout the day, and timely discharge, regardless of the pathway a patient is leaving hospital or a community bedded facility on. Response to the issue: This paper will outline UHS’s response to the above issues, including the improvement programmes focused on flow and the Emergency Department, the response to the UEC recovery plan year two document, work taking place across the local system and mitigations that take place when the Emergency Department becomes over-crowded. Implications: Clinical, organisational, governance, legal (Clinical, Organisational, Governance, Legal?) Risks: (Top 3) of carrying out the change / or not: • Harm to patients in the Emergency Department through prolonged waits and / or overcrowding. • Harm to patients who remain in hospital longer than necessary because of delayed discharge. • Harm to patients on an elective waiting list who are delayed because of a lack of capacity due to high levels of patients not meeting the criteria to reside. Summary: Conclusion Trust Board is asked to note this report. and/or recommendation Page 1 of 10 Introduction NHS England wrote to all NHS Trusts (see Appendix 1) to ask Trust Boards to assure themselves that Trusts, and wider systems, were doing all they can to reduce demand on Emergency Departments, improve flow across the UEC pathways including out of hospital, ensure basic standards of care are in place across all care settings and ensure executive visibility and leadership, and non-executive presence. This paper provides assurance to the Board, addressing the key requests outlined in the letter and benchmarks UHS’s response to the year two UEC plan. It also outlines work taking place in the local system to support admission avoidance and reduce delayed discharge. Finally, it outlines mitigations the organisation has put in place to manage risk at times when the Emergency Department (ED) is overcrowded, and to support flow through the hospital. Patient Safety and Quality of Care in Pressurised Services NHSE wrote to all Trusts to outline key actions Boards were required to assure themselves on to ensure patient safety and quality of care is maintained in pressurised services. The table below outlines those actions and UHS’s compliance against them. Request Provide alternatives to emergency department attendance and admission, especially for those frail older people who are better served with a community response in their usual place of residence. Maximise in-hospital flow with appropriate streaming, senior decision-making and board and ward rounds regularly throughout the day, and timely discharge, regardless of the pathway a patient is leaving hospital or a community bedded facility on. Their organisations and systems are implementing the actions set out in the UEC Recovery Plan year 2 letter. Basic standards of care, based on the CQC’s fundamental standards, are in place in all care settings. Services across the whole system are supporting flow out of ED and out of hospital, including making full and appropriate use of the Better Care Fund. Executive teams and Boards have visibility of the Seven Day Hospital Services audit results, as set out in the relevant Board Assurance Framework guidance. There is consistent, visible, executive leadership across the UEC pathway and appropriate escalation protocols in place Assurance There are community alternatives in place, including Urgent Community Response and virtual wards. More work is taking place to set-up Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. In-hospital flow is something UHS is continuously seeking to improve via the inpatient flow programme, focusing on all aspects of flow within the hospital’s control and ensuring patients only remain in hospital when necessary. Ward rounds take place daily with appropriate input from a senior decision maker. UHS is compliant with these actions, outlined in the following section. Fundamentals of care standards have been rolled out across the organisation. A CQC Oversight Group, chaired by the CNO, provides assurance on compliance against the standards. The wider system does support flow out of ED and the wider hospital, and the Better Care fund is used. However, the system continues to struggle with a high number of patients remaining in hospital who do not meet the criteria to reside. Seven Day Hospital Services are reported via the annual Quality Account to the Board and the Trust is compliant. A further audit is due in 2024. There is consistent, visible executive leadership across the UEC pathway including a fortnightly ED meeting chaired Page 2 of 10 every day of the week at both trust and system level. Regular non-executive director safety walkabouts take place where patients are asked about their experiences in real time and these are relayed back to the Board. by the Chief Executive, a monthly UEC Board chaired by the COO, a monthly CQC Oversight meeting chaired by the CNO and regular executive walkabouts. UHS has an internal escalation plan as does the wider system. The Trust appointed a clinical Director for Urgent and Emergency Care. Non-executive directors undertake walkabouts as part of Trust Board. Year two UEC Plan Benchmarking against the second year of the UEC plan shows that UHS is compliant against the key metrics. There has, however, been a reduction rather than an increase in some out of hospital capacity because of the financial challenges facing the ICB, Local Authorities and wider system. Request 1A. Maintain acute G&A beds at the level funded and agreed through operating plans in 2023/24. 1B. Maintain ambulance capacity and support the development of services that reduce ambulance conveyances to acute hospitals. 1C. Focus on reduction in ambulance handover delays to support system flow. 1D. Expand bedded and non-bedded intermediate care capacity, to support improvements in hospital discharge and enable community step-up care. 1E. Improve access to virtual wards through improvements in utilisation, access from home pathways, and a focus on frailty, acute respiratory infection, heart failure, and children and young people. 2A. Focus on reductions in admitted and non-admitted time in ED. Assurance UHS’s 2024/25 plan included the dual aspirations of halving the number of patients not meeting the criteria to reside and reducing length of stay by 5%. If these were both met, it is unlikely that we would require all current beds. However, while beds that are not needed would not be staffed, they will remain available if needed. In recent months routine surge capacity has remained closed b
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Papers Trust Board 6 June 2024
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Date Time Location Chair Apologies Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 06/06/2024 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat/Microsoft Teams Jenni Douglas-Todd Diana Eccles, Tim Peachey (from 12:00) 1 Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest 9:00 Note apologies for absence, and to hear any declarations of interest relating to any item on the Agenda. 2 Patient Story The patient or staff story provides an opportunity for the Board to reflect on the experiences of patients and staff within the Trust and understand what the Trust could do better. 3 Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 28 March 2024 9:15 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 28 March 2024 4 Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions To discuss any matters arising from the minutes, and to agree on the status of any actions assigned at the previous meeting. 5 QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE Quality includes: clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (Oral) 9:20 Keith Evans, Chair 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (Oral) 9:25 Dave Bennett, Chair 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:30 Committee (Oral) Jane Harwood, Chair 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee (Oral) 9:35 Tim Peachey, Chair 5.5 Chief Executive Officer's Report 9:40 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 1 10:00 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.7 Finance Report for Month 1 10:30 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 5.8 Break 10:45 5.9 People Report for Month 1 10:55 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer 5.10 Infection Prevention and Control 2023-24 Annual Report 11:10 Receive and discuss Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Julian Sutton, Interim Lead Infection Control Director/Sue Dailly, Infection Prevention Matron 5.11 Learning from Deaths 2023-24 Quarter 4 Report 11:20 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience 5.12 Freedom to Speak Up Report 11:30 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendee: Christine Mbabazi, Equality & Inclusion Adviser/Freedom to Speak Up Guardian 5.13 Fuller Inquiry Report 11:45 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Attendee: Gavin Hawkins, Divisional Director of Operations, Division B 6 STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 CRN Wessex 2023-24 Annual Performance Report 11:55 Receive and note the annual report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Clare Rook, Chief Operating Officer, CRN: Wessex 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update 12:10 Review and discuss the update Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary/Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager Page 2 7 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors' (CoG) Meeting 1 May 2024 12:25 (Oral) Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair's Actions Report 12:30 Receive and ratify In compliance with the Trust Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation. Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 8 Any other business 12:35 Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda 9 Note the date of the next meeting: 25 July 2024 10 Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair To agree, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust's Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Board of Directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. 11 Follow-up discussion with governors 12:45 Page 3 Minutes Trust Board – Open Session Date Time 28/03/2024 9:00 – 13:00 Location Chair Microsoft Teams Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Present Dave Bennett, NED (DB) Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer (GB) Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair (JD-T) Keith Evans, Deputy Chair and NED (KE) David French, Chief Executive Officer (DAF) Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer (PG) Steve Harris, Chief People Officer (SH) Jane Harwood, NED/Senior Independent Director (JH) Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer (IH) Tim Peachey, NED (TP) Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer (JT) In attendance Martin De Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships (MDeS) Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary (CM) Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager (LA) (item 6.1) Ceri Connor, Director of OD and Inclusion (CC) (item 4.12) Diana Hulbert, Guardian of Safe Working Hours and Emergency Department Consultant (DH) (item 4.14) Sophie Limb, HR Project Manager (SL) (item 4.12) 1 member of the public (item 5) 6 governors (observing) 5 members of staff (observing) 1 members of the public (observing) Apologies Diana Eccles, NED (DE) 1. Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting. There were no interests to declare in the business to be transacted at the meeting. It was noted that apologies had been received from Diana Eccles. The Chair provided an overview of her activities since February 2024, including visits to hospital departments, meetings with peers and other key stakeholders. 2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 30 January 2024 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 30 January 2024, subject to amending a reference to ‘radiology’ on page four to ‘radiotherapy’. 3. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions It was noted that all actions had been completed or were not yet due. Page 1 In terms of action 1102, the service was provided by NHS Blood and Transfusion, and funding had been removed. 4. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE 4.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee The chair of the Audit and Risk Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 18 March 2024. It was noted that: • The committee had reviewed the losses and special payments report and noted that although the individual size of each occurrence was not material, these instances nonetheless did have a significant impact on individual patients. • The committee reviewed the Board Assurance Framework (item 6.1). • The committee reviewed an internal audit report on data quality and noted that there were only some minor matters to address. In addition, there were no outstanding actions from previous reports. • The committee reviewed the internal audit plan for 2024/25, which would include examination of long waiters, the discharge process and rostering. • The external audit plan for the 2023/24 financial year was agreed. 4.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Charitable Funds Committee Steve Harris was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 27 March 2024. It was noted that: • The charity was in a position to transfer to the new charitable company. • Gail Byrne would be appointed as a director of the new charitable company on a temporary basis to represent the Trust. • The annual report and accounts for 2023/24 would be the final item of business requiring Board approval. 4.3 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee The chair of the Finance and Investment Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 25 March 2024. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 11 (item 4.10) and the planning for 2024/25, noting that the underlying position presented a challenge for 2024/25. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s productivity assessed against that in 2018/19. The NHS England formula showed a 18% decline in the Trust’s performance. However, the basis of the formula was open to debate and the perception in the organisation was different given the demands on the Trust’s capacity. The Trust’s modified formula showed a lower decline in productivity and work was ongoing with the central team. • The committee reviewed the maintenance requirements in the Trust’s estate, which were significant owing to its age. • The committee reviewed the proposed capital prioritisation for 2024/25 and 2025/26. 4.4 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee The chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 20 March 2024. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 11 (item 4.11) and noted that the additional recruitment controls were having an impact. Page 2 • The committee reviewed the Staff Survey results (item 4.12), noting that key themes were staff burnout and morale. 4.5 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee The chair of the Quality Committee was invited to provide an overview of the meeting held on 18 March 2024. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the patient safety and experience reports for the third quarter and noted some concerns regarding infection prevention control and pressure ulcers. In addition, there was some concern about overcrowding in the resuscitation area. • The committee had carried out a thematic review of never events, especially in Dermatology. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s performance in terms of its quality priorities for 2023/24. The Trust had achieved all its objectives, except one, which had been partially achieved. It was intended that there would be eight quality priorities in 2024/25. • It had been confirmed that the Integrated Care Board would fund the tobacco dependency programme in 2024/25. • Work was also taking place to provide additional capacity in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. 4.6 Chief Executive Officer’s Report David French was invited to present the Chief Executive Officer’s Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board (HIOW ICB) had launched a consultation on how it will re-shape itself for the future. The ICB had been required to reduce its running costs by 20% during 2024/25 and by a further 10% during 2025/26. • Junior doctors had voted to continue industrial action for a further six months. • In the Spring Budget, the Chancellor announced additional funding for the NHS, although, once inflation had been taken into account, the NHS budget would remain broadly flat. • The NHS England Workforce Race Equality Standard data report showed some improvements, but further work was required. • Steve Brine, the Member of Parliament for Winchester and Chandler’s Ford had been hosted by the Trust on a visit the week before. This afforded an opportunity to discuss the Hampshire County Council consultation, social care and non-criteria to reside. • The latest NHS patient survey showed a reduction in satisfaction, but this was largely due to waiting to get into the system. • There was significant pressure from NHS England for trusts to achieve the targets set. The Trust has demonstrated strong performance during 2023/24 across the six targets. • A nurse from the Trust has received a national recognition award based on their work on the ‘Diabasics’ initiative and the first episode of ‘Surgeons at the Edge of Life’, filmed at Southampton General Hospital, had been broadcast on BBC2. • Thanks were expressed to all staff for their performance during the year. 4.7 Performance KPI Report for Month 11 Joe Teape was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 11, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • In terms of the Trust’s performance compared with comparators, the Trust was top quartile for the majority of indicators and top half for others. Page 3 • There were 19 patients who would breach the 78-week wait target at year end, 18 of which were corneal patients where materials were unavailable. It was noted that there was a national shortage of materials. • There were expected to be about 50 breaches of the 65-week wait target, of which around 30 were corneal patients. • The Trust had achieved diagnostic performance of 92% achieving the sixweek target. • There had been high volumes of patients in the Emergency Department during February and March 2024. However, the Trust had achieved 70.6% for type 1 performance and expected to achieve the 76% target by the end of March 2024. • The Trust’s Referral To Treatment metric was beginning to improve and there were some examples of very good waiting list management in Trauma and Orthopaedics and in Women and New Born. • The key point to emphasise was that, although it might not seem so at times, the Trust was out-performing most other comparable organisations. It was considered appropriate that staff communications should be worked on to reinforce this message. In terms of the Trust’s Key Performance Indicators: • The Quality Committee had seen significant improvements in diagnostic performance. • The two-week wait cancer target performance had also improved since April 2023. • Unfortunately, due to significant challenges with flow, overnight ward move performance had dropped significantly during the month, leading to poor patient experience. • In addition, the rate of pressure ulcers appeared to be increasing. 4.8 Non-Criteria to Reside Spotlight Report Joe Teape was invited to present the Non-Criteria to Reside Spotlight Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Management of non-criteria to reside patients was one of the Trust’s biggest risks in terms of its operational and financial performance and achievement of its targets. • The Trust has seen 20%+ of beds occupied by patients without criteria to reside, which significantly impacted patient flow in the Emergency Department and has led to ambulance handover delays. • In addition, stays in hospital of longer duration were known to lead to worse patient outcomes. • The Trust was unable to have a significant impact on this issue, as the main driver was insufficient funding availability in local authorities. • In terms of what the Trust could do, work was ongoing to improve the discharge process by having conversations about care needs early on as part of the Trust’s flow transformation programme. 4.9 Break 4.10 Finance Report for Month 11 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 11, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: Page 4 • The Trust had received £24.6m of cash support from NHS England and £5m in funding in relation to the impact of industrial action between December 2023 and February 2024. • A year-end deficit of £1.4m was forecast. • The Trust’s underlying monthly deficit was currently £4m, and the Trust’s underlying deficit had been £4-5m a month during 2023/24. • Cost Improvement Programme delivery was expected to be £62m at year end, an increase of £17m compared to the previous year. 4.11 People Report for Month 11 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 11, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Total workforce had reduced by 20 whole-time equivalents (WTE) during the month, although the Trust remained 266 WTE above plan. • Use of bank staff had reduced, although it was expected that more bank staff would be used in March 2024 as substantive staff used leftover annual leave before year end. • Average turnover was 11%, below the target of 13.6%. The Board discussed the report and noted that it was necessary to review training expectations in order to make best use of staff time. In addition, it was noted that funding for internationally recruited nurses was likely to reduce and that apprentice and student nurse numbers had reduced. 4.12 UHS Staff Survey Results 2023 Report Ceri Connor, Sophie Limb and Steve Harris were invited to present the UHS Staff Survey Results 2023 Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust scored above average in all of the People Promise areas and there had been an improvement in the areas regarding managers and appraisals. • However, the overall NHS average had increased, thus narrowing the gap. • The participation rate was lower than in the previous year and the overall scores hid pockets of concern. The Board discussed the results of the Staff Survey. It was noted in particular that the Trust had invested significant sums into wellbeing, but that morale was low. It was considered that this demonstrated the importance of local management to staff morale. In addition, the Board discussed the impact of the change in approach from granting significant autonomy during the pandemic to increasing levels of control, which had been received negatively by staff. However, it was noted that, whilst in some areas, such as with regard to patients, there was a general culture of accountability, there appeared to be less of a general culture of accountability with respect to finances and budgets. The possibility of ‘earned’ autonomy was considered as a means of mitigating against those who had acted properly being penalised by the actions of others. Page 5 4.13 Maternity and Neonatal Perinatal Quality Surveillance Dashboard Report The Maternity and Neonatal Perinatal Quality Surveillance Dashboard Report was noted. It was further noted that the additional information in respect of post-partum haemorrhage data (action 1101) was contained within the report and had been discussed at a maternity safety champions’ meeting. 4.14 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report Diana Hulbert was invited to present the Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There had been seven exception reports constituting a breach and resulting in a financial penalty, which were due to exceeding the maximum 13-hour shift duration. All reports were from General Surgery. • There were also concerns in Gynaecology due to the complicated rotas, inadequate rest provision and facilities. • The position of a junior doctor was a difficult one due to a lack of patient contact during the pandemic, industrial action and changes in the assignment of foundation posts. Action: Paul Grundy and Diana Hulbert agreed to include an item regarding junior doctors on a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. 5. Patient Story David Livermore was invited to relate his experience of attending an appointment at the Eye Unit in October 2023 and, in particular, the difficulties he encountered as a wheelchair user. It was noted that his treatment had been carried out in a room inappropriate for his needs and that he had been asked personal questions in the waiting room. Following discussion with the Board of his experiences, David Livermore offered his services to the Trust to advise on disability access as an ‘expert patient’. 6. STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Lauren Anderson was invited to present the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) update, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s Risk Management Policy and Strategy had been updated, with the main changes being in relation to the Trust’s risk appetite following the Trust Board Study Session held in December 2023. • Work was being carried out to improve the Board’s visibility of operational risks and to improve links between operational risks and the BAF. Page 6 7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report The paper ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’ was presented to the meeting, the content of which was noted. Decision: The Board agreed to ratify the application of the Trust Seal to the documents listed in the ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’. 7.2 Remuneration and Appointment Committee Terms of Reference It was noted that the Remuneration and Appointment Committee had reviewed its terms of reference at its meeting held on 28 March 2024. It was further noted that some minor changes were proposed, largely to update references to documentation and NHS organisations, and, in terms of the executive pay guidance, to better reflect current practice and the available frameworks. Decision: Having reviewed the Remuneration and Appointment Committee terms of reference tabled to the meeting, it was agreed to approve these terms of reference. 8. Any other business There was no other business. 9. Note the date of the next meeting: 6 June 2024 10. Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Decision: The Board resolved that, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust’s Constitution and the Standing Orders of the board of directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. The meeting was adjourned. Page 7 List of action items Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 28/03/2024 4.14 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report 1127. Junior Doctors Grundy, Paul Hulbert, Diana 27/06/2024 Pending Explanation action item Paul Grundy and Diana Hulbert agreed to include an item regarding junior doctors on a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Page 1 of 1 Report to the Trust Board of Directors Title: Agenda item: Sponsor: Date: Purpose: Issue to be addressed: Response to the issue: Chief Executive Officer’s Report 5.5 David French, Chief Executive Officer 6 June 2024 Assurance Approval or reassurance Ratification Information X My report this month covers updates on the following items: • Infected Blood Inquiry • General Election • Industrial Action • HEFMA Award • Capital Funding • 2024/25 Planning The response to each of these issues is covered in the report. Implications: Any implications of these issues are covered in the report. (Clinical, Organisational, Governance, Legal?) Summary: Conclusion The Board is asked to note the report. and/or recommendation Page 1 of 9 Infected Blood Inquiry On 20 May 2024, the Infected Blood Inquiry published its report into more than 30,000 people becoming infected with HIV and hepatitis C after being given contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s. The report said that: • Too little was done to stop importing blood products from abroad, which used blood from high- risk donors such as prisoners and drug addicts; • In the UK, blood donations were accepted from high-risk groups until 1986; • Blood products were not heat treated to eliminate HIV until the end of 1985, although the risks were known in 1982; and • There was too little testing to reduce the risk of hepatitis from the 1970s onwards. The UK Government has established a compensation scheme for those impacted. The report can be read at: http://www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/reports NHS England’s formal response to the report is attached as Appendix 1. During the Inquiry, the Trust was made aware of patient cases which would be cited in the report and was offered an opportunity to comment. We chose not to comment in detail on individual cases, primarily due to the time elapsed since they happened. NHS England has commissioned an ongoing patient support service for those affected and it is likely that UHS will be one of two providers in the region offering this service. Funding for a fiveyear period has been confirmed. General Election The Prime Minister has announced that a general election will be held on 4 July 2024. There are a number of practical implications for the Trust as a public body to maintain political impartiality and to ensure that public resources are not used for the purposes of political parties or campaign groups during the pre-election period which commenced on 25 May 2024 and will continue until the day after the election. During this period, the following key principles should apply: • No activity should be undertaken which could be considered politically controversial or influential. • NHS trusts have discretion in their approach, but must be able to demonstrate the same approach for every political party, official candidate and designated campaign group. • The NHS may be under media spotlight, locally and nationally, so it is advisable to have a plan in place for how the organisation will manage the pre-election period and the potential for the organisation to be singled out in the media. Normal business and regulation needs to continue during the pre-election period. However, where a board meeting needs to take place, the agenda should be confined to those matters requiring a board decision or oversight. Matters of future strategy or future deployment of resources may be construed as favouring one party over another and should be avoided. Use of the confidential part of the agenda to discuss matters which may be politically controversial is not recommended. Care should be taken not to comment on the policies of political parties or campaign groups. Page 2 of 9 Organisations should not start long-term initiatives or undertake major publicity campaigns unless time critical (such as a public health emergency). Public consultations should not be launched during the pre-election period, and it is advisable to extend the period for those already running to take into account the pre-election period. The timing of the election means that formal Secretary of State approval for the Solent / Southern transaction is unlikely to happen before the election and therefore the formation of the new Trust, previously scheduled for 1 June, is likely to be delayed. Industrial Action On 29 May 2024, it was announced that junior doctors would stage a five-day strike, commencing on 27 June 2024 and ending on 2 July 2024. This will be the eleventh walkout by junior doctors since March 2023. As during previous periods of industrial action, the Trust will seek to minimise any impact on patient care by organising consultant cover wherever possible. HEFMA Award Paula Melhuish, Deputy Director of Estates and Capital Development, received the Outstanding Service Award from the Health Estates and Facilities Management Association on 13 May 2024. Paula has been a long-serving and esteemed colleague at UHS and has recently announced her retirement. Capital Funding Due to its Emergency Department performance at the end of 2023/24, the Trust was awarded an additional £2m in capital departmental expenditure limit (CDEL) as part of a scheme to reward high-performing trusts. There were several categories where the top-10 performing trusts received additional CDEL, including absolute ED 4-hour % performance and most improved ED 4-hour performance. NHS England agreed that the type 3 Urgent Treatment Centre attendances at RSH and Lymington should be included in the overall UHS performance and that, combined with significantly improved 4-hour performance at SGH, this meant that UHS was in the national top-10 for absolute ED 4-hour performance. terms of using the CDEL allowance, plans are being developed to increase the department’s same day emergency care (SDEC) capacity. The additional CDEL is not cash-backed so we are in discussions with NHSE regarding the cash funding. 2024/25 Planning The CFO and I will update the Board on the status of the 2024/25 planning round which is not yet finalised. At a meeting in London with NHS England executives, the ICS was asked to improve its position further in return for some financial incentives. This challenge was accepted, although the allocation of this further stretch to individual providers has not yet been agreed. The structure and leadership of the ICS-wide transformation programmes has been reviewed and changed. The structure of the programmes was considered by CEO, Chairs and ICB colleagues and it was agreed there should be six programmes for 2024/25, as set out below. The Board should note that I requested to retain the leadership role on the Planned Care programme, mostly because we have an agreed way forward, have good traction and can now see improvement happening. In addition, I was asked to take on leadership of the Workforce programme which, following discussion with the Chair, I have agreed to do. Page 3 of 9 Programme Mental Health Discharge Urgent and Emergency Care Local Care Planned Care Workforce CEO lead Ron Shields, SHFT Penny Emerit, PHU David Eltringham, SCAS Alex Whitfield, HHFT David French, UHS David French, UHS Each programme has been asked to set out its objectives and deliverables for the year ahead by 18 June 2024. I will share the results of this exercise with the Board in due course. Page 4 of 9 Appendix 1 Classification: Official To: • All integrated care boards and NHS trusts: - chairs - chief executives - medical directors - chief nurses - chief operating officers - chief people officers - heads of primary care - directors of medical education • Primary care networks: - clinical directors cc. • NHS England regions: - directors - chief nurses - medical directors - directors of primary care and community services - directors of commissioning - workforce leads - regional heads of nursing - regional heads of communications NHS England Wellington House 133-155 Waterloo Road London SE1 8UG 20 May 2024 Dear colleagues, Publication of the Infected Blood Inquiry final report Earlier today, the Infected Blood Inquiry published its final report at: www.infectedbloodinquiry.org.uk/reports. The Prime Minister has subsequently issued an apology on behalf of successive Governments and the entire British state. On behalf of the NHS in England, now and over previous decades, Amanda Pritchard issued a public apology, saying: Publication reference: PRN01368 Page 5 of 9 “Today’s report brings to an end a long fight for answers and understanding that those people who were infected and their families, should never have had to face. “We owe it to all those affected by this scandal, and to the thorough work of the Inquiry team and those who have contributed, to take the necessary time now to fully understand the report’s conclusions and recommendations. “However, what is already very clear is that tens of thousands of people put their trust in the care they got from the NHS over many years, and they were badly let down. “I therefore offer my deepest and heartfelt apologies for the role the NHS played in the suffering and the loss of all those infected and affected. “In particular, I want to say sorry not just for the actions which led to life-altering and lifelimiting illness, but also for the failures to clearly communicate, investigate and mitigate risks to patients from transfusions and treatments; for a collective lack of openness and willingness to listen, that denied patients and families the answers and support they needed; and for the stigma that many experienced in the health service when they most needed support. “I also want to recognise the pain that some of our staff will have experienced when it became clear that the blood products many of them used in good faith may have harmed people they cared for. “I know that the apologies I can offer now do not begin to do justice to the scale of personal tragedy set out in this report, but we are committed to demonstrating this in our actions as we respond to its recommendations.” The report is sobering reading, documenting failings over multiple decades, and making recommendations across a wide range of areas, including recognition, support and compensation; education and training; monitoring of and testing for Hepatitis C; the safety of blood transfusions; preventing future harm, via duty of candour and regulation; as well as giving patients a voice. We write now to set out the initial steps we are taking in response. Support for those affected The Department of Health and Social Care is providing £19 million over five years to provide a bespoke Infected Blood Psychological Support Service which is expected to be rolled out later this summer. We have listened to the experiences of those involved, including patients, their families and staff, and are working with them to design and develop this service, which will provide dedicated support for those affected, located around the country. Copyright © NHS England 2024 2 Page 6 of 9 This service will include talking therapies, peer support, and psychosocial support, as well as access to other treatments or support for physical or mental health needs where appropriate. In the interim, the existing England Infected Blood Support Service remains available here: www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/england-infected-blood-support-scheme. Further information about existing testing and support services, including those commissioned by the Government, can be found at: www.nhs.uk/infected-blood-support. Supporting affected staff It is important to also recognise that some of our colleagues may be affected by the publication of today’s report in some way, whether through personal or professional connection to the issue. Employers may therefore wish to increase promotion of their local health and wellbeing support for staff. Details of nationally-commissioned routes of support, including the 24/7 text helpline Shout and NHS Practitioner Health, can be found at NHS England - Support available for our NHS People. Continuing to find and treat people with blood-borne viruses Although it is likely that the majority of those who were directly affected have now been identified and started appropriate treatment given the time that has elapsed since the last use of infected blood products, there may be people who have not yet been identified, particularly where they are living with asymptomatic Hepatitis C. We ask that systems continue to work with partners, including community groups and charities, as well as Hepatitis C Operational Delivery Networks, to promote local testing options for anyone at risk, or anyone who is concerned. This should include promotion of the new national service for at-home Hepatitis C self-testing kits, available via hepctest.nhs.uk. For those who are concerned about the risk of HIV infection, further information can be found here: information on HIV diagnosis and the HIV testing services search tool. Hepatitis B, another infection that can be linked to infected blood, usually clears up on its own without treatment; however, people concerned about Hepatitis B infection should be directed towards relevant hepatitis B information or their local sexual health clinic or GP practice. Today's report highlights that in some cases those affected by infected blood products were told of their diagnosis in ways which were insensitive and inappropriate. We would therefore ask you to ensure that patients and their families are supported through the process of receiving test results – of whatever kind - in a compassionate and considerate way. Copyright © NHS England 2024 3 Page 7 of 9 Ensuring patients can access the right information. We recognise following the publication of this report, some patients may raise questions directly with their primary and/or secondary care teams, or through other points of contact with the NHS. We will be sharing materials with relevant service providers to ensure frontline clinicians and other colleagues in patient-facing roles are able to provide appropriate information or signposting. We expect that this will be particularly relevant to: • Providers of NHS 111 services • GP practices and community pharmacies • Trusts providing services where blood products are used • Mental health providers Maintaining confidence in current blood and blood products and related treatment The infected blood and blood products that have been the subject of this Inquiry were withdrawn in 1991. In the intervening decades, comprehensive systems have been put in place to ensure the safety of both donors and recipients of blood and blood-derived products. Today, blood and blood products are distributed to NHS hospitals by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), which was established in 2005 to provide a national blood and transplantation service to the NHS. NHSBT’s services follow strict guidelines and testing to protect both donors and patients. NHS Blood and Transplant has published clear information about these processes here: Infected Blood Inquiry - NHS Blood and Transplant (nhsbt.nhs.uk). Nationally, NHS England will work with NHS Blood and Transplant and others to communicate the safety of current blood products. Assessing further recommendations and next steps As set out above, the final Inquiry report includes a number of important recommendations for the NHS. NHS England will be considering these in detail alongside the Department for Health and Social Care and other relevant bodies. In addition, an Extraordinary Clinical Reference Group is being convened to inform any immediate actions which should be taken. The next steps from this work will be shared as soon as possible, including through relevant clinical networks. Copyright © NHS England 2024 4 Page 8 of 9 Yours sincerely, Amanda Pritchard NHS Chief Executive NHS England Professor Sir Stephen Powis National Medical Director NHS England Dame Ruth May Chief Nursing Officer England Dr Emily Lawson DBE Chief Operating Officer NHS England Copyright © NHS England 2024 5 Page 9 of 9 Report to the Trust Board of Directors Title: Agenda item: Sponsor: Author Date: Purpose Issue to be addressed: Performance KPI Report 2024-25 Month 1 5.6 David French, Chief Executive Sam Dale, Associate Director of Data and Analytics 6 June 2024 Assurance or reassurance Y Approval Ratification Information The report aims to provide assurance: • Regarding the successful implementation of our strategy. • That the care we provide is safe, caring, effective, responsive, and well led. Response to the issue: The Performance KPI Report reflects the current operating environment and is aligned with our strategy. Implications: (Clinical, Organisational, Governance, Legal?) Risks: (Top 3) of carrying out the change / or not: Summary: Conclusion and/or recommendation This report covers a broad range of trust performance metrics. It is intended to assist the Board in assuring that the Trust meets regulatory requirements and corporate objectives. This report is provided for the purpose of assurance. This report is provided for the purpose of assurance. Page 1 of 24 Report to Trust Board in June 2024 Performance KPI Board Report Covering up to April 2024 Sponsor – David French, Chief Executive Officer Author – Sam Dale, Associate Director of Data and Analytics Page 2 of 24 Report to Trust Board in June 2024 Report guide Chart type Example Cumulative Column Cumulative Column Year on Year Line Benchmarked Line & bar Benchmarked Control Chart Variance from Target Explanation A cumulative column chart is used to represent a total count of the variable and shows how the total count increases over time. This example shows quarterly updates. A cumulative year on year column chart is used to represent a total count of the variable throughout the year. The variable value is reset to zero at the start of the year because the target for the metric is yearly. The line benchmarked chart shows our performance compared to the average performance of a peer group. The number at the bottom of the chart shows where we are ranked in the group (1 would mean ranked 1st that month). The line shows our performance, and the bar underneath represents the range of performance of benchmarked trusts (bottom = lowest performance, top = highest performance) A control chart shows movement of a variable in relation to its control limits (the 3 lines = Upper control limit, Mean and Lower control limit). When the value shows special variation (not expected) then it is highlighted green (leading to a good outcome) or red (leading to a bad outcome). Values are considered to show special variation if they -Go outside control limits -Have 6 points in a row above or below the mean, -Trend for 6 points, -Have 2 out of 3 points past 2/3 of the control limit, -Show a significant movement (greater than the average moving range). Variance from target charts is used to show how far away a variable is from its target each month. Green bars represent the value the metric is achieving better than target and the red bars represent the distance a metric is away from achieving its target. Page 3 of 24 Report to Trust Board in June 2024 Introduction The Performance KPI Report is presented to the Trust Board each month to provide assurance: • regarding the successful implementation of our strategy; and • that the care we provide is safe, caring, effective, responsive, and well led. The content of the report includes the following: • The ‘Spotlight’ section, to enable more detailed consideration of any topics that are of particular interest or concern. The selection of topics is informed by a rolling schedule, performance concerns, and requests from the Board. • An ‘NHS Constitution Standards’ section, summarising the standards and performance in relation to service waiting times; and • An ‘Appendix,’ with indicators presented monthly, aligned with the five themes within our strategy. Due to the timing of the April 2024 Board meeting, the following referral to treatment data points were not included in the March KPI report. They have now been updated for March 2024 and April 2024: - • 31 - Patients on an open 18 week pathway (within 18 weeks) • 33 - Patients on an open 18 week pathway (within 52 weeks) • 34 - Patients on an open 18 week pathway (within 65 weeks) • 35 - Patients on an open 18 week pathway (within 78 weeks) • 35a - Patients on an open 18 week pathway (within 104 weeks) • 32 - Total number of patients on a waiting list (18 week referral to treatment pathway) Changes of note within the report itself: • 53 – The digital metric monitoring page loading time for the CHARTS system has been tightened from under five seconds to under three seconds • 55 – The metric monitoring the rollout of inpatient noting for nurses has been removed as this is now considered complete. This will be revisited when the noting solution is rolled out for doctors • 39 - The 2024/25 national cancer target changes will be reflected next month when April 2024 data is made available • 40 - The 2024/25 national cancer target changes will be reflected next month when April 2024 data is made available • 37 - The metric now reflects the published 2024/25 national year-end target of 5% of patients waiting over 6 weeks for diagnostics Page 4 of 24 Report to Trust Board in June 2024 Summary This month’s spotlight report covers diagnostic performance. It highlights that UHS consistently increased the volume of elective diagnostic tests delivered throughout the 2023/24 financial year and into the start of the 2024/25 financial year. The diagnostic waiting list reduced by 12% in 2023/24 and in April 2024, 89.6% of patients received their diagnostics within six weeks. The national performance target has been set at 95% by March 2025 and the organisation is working with all services to ensure we maintain waiting times for services that are compliant and address any demand and capacity barriers preventing achievement. The paper describes the activity and performance trends for the hospital and explores modality sites in more detail. Areas of note in the appendix of performance metrics include: 1. The Emergency Department (ED) four hour performance position reduced to 66.0% (April 2024) from 71.7% (March 2024) for type 1 attendances, however UHS remain in the top quartile when compared to peer teaching hospitals across the country. 2. In April, the overall RTT waiting list increased by 2.4% to 59,485. 3. The trust continues to report zero patients waiting over 104 weeks and reported 15 patients waiting over 78 weeks for April 2024. All 15 patients are within ophthalmology and impacted by the ongoing national shortage of corneal graft tissue which is being overseen by NHS Blood and Transplant service. The longest waiting patients will be booked for surgery as soon tissue has been confirmed. 4. The trust reported 66 patients waiting over 65 weeks which predominantly reflects corneal transplant patients again and low volumes within gynaecology and several surgical specialties. The trust is committed to achieving the national target of zero patients waiting over 65 weeks by September 2024 and the ambition to achieve zero patients waiting over 52 weeks by March 2025. 5. The volume of patients not meeting the Criteria to Reside in hospital decreased in April averaging 216 which is a 10% reduction compared to March 2024, yet this remains a significant impact on patient flow through the organisation. 6. There were zero never events reported for April 2024. 7. The volume of medication errors reduced to two in April 2024 which is now below the monthly target following the increase seen in March 2023. 8. The number of Gram-negative bloodstream infections continues to be marginally above the monthly target of 19. The increased incidence in cases continues to be reported both nationally and locally across the Hampshire and Isle of Wight integrated care system. 9. The digital metric to monitor page loading times on CHARTS system has successfully remained at 99% despite increasing the time target by 40%. Ambulance response time performance The latest unvalidated weekly data is provided by the South Coast Ambulance Service (SCAS). In the week commencing 13th May 2024, our average handover time was 16 minutes 56 seconds across 725 emergency handovers and 22 minutes across 52 urgent handovers. There were 44handovers over 30 minutes, and six handovers taking over 60 minutes within the unvalidated data. The volume of weekly handovers over 60 minutes increased by 73% from March 2024 (averaging 7.5 per week) to April 2024 (averaging 13 per week). Page 5 of 24 Report to Trust Board in June 2024 Spotlight Report Spotlight: Diagnostic Performance The following report is based on the validated April 2024 submission. Introduction Diagnostics are a critical component of a patient’s pathway, facilitating an accurate and complete diagnosis, personalised treatment plans and the appropriate monitoring of a patient’s condition. Timely access to diagnostic tests is essential for ensuring that patients re ceive an early diagnosis whilst improving patient experience and delivering an efficient use of NHS resources. The 2024/24 NHS priorities and operational planning guidance confirmed that “systems are asked to continue to work towards the elective care recovery plan target of 95% of patients receiving their tests within 6 weeks”. The national ambitions acknowledged that the NHS delivered record diagnostic activity in 2023, but also highlighted that additional capacity in community diagnostic centres had been partly offset by an unprecedented increase in unscheduled diagnostic activity in acute trusts. This national diagnostic target applies to 15 different diagnostic tests, although performance is measured at a Trust level. These tests are broadly divided into three categories: • endoscopy (e.g. gastroscopy, cystoscopy); • imaging (e.g. CT, MRI, barium enema); • physiological measurement (e.g. echocardiogram, sleep studies). Our teams prioritise diagnostic procedures based on clinical urgency (for example patients with cancer) but aligned to this is a continual review of the longest waiting diagnostic patients. This spotlight paper highlights the current diagnostic performance position for UHS against the national targets and other hospitals. It also describes the current volumes of activity being delivered and the impact on the waiting list. We explore any performance concerns across the different modalities, outlining the challenges that services are facing and the steps being taken to achieve the 2024/25 target. In summary, there was an overall reduction in the diagnostic waiting list across the 2023/24 financial year as UHS successfully increased the delivery of diagnostic activity to manage current levels of demand. The diagnostic waiting list currently stands at 8,849 patients (April 2024) which is a reduction of 12% since April 2023 (10,033 patients) and 24% since the peak levels seen in June 2022 (11,671 patients). The April 2024 performance position is 89.6% for the percentage of patients receiving diagnostic tests within six weeks. The latest comparison data available (March 2024) placed the hospital 5th when ranked against peer teaching hospitals across the country. All organisations are facing challenges due to high demand, workforce shortages and equipment limitations and funding, but the organisation is striving to achieve the 95% target set for 2024/25. Page 6 of 24 Report to Trust Board in June 2024 Spotlight Report Activity and Waiting List Elective diagnostic activity being delivered at UHS consistently increased throughout 2023/24 and into 2024/25 helping to manage the waiting list despite high referral volumes and the complications caused by industrial action throughout the previous year. Graph 1 illustrates that diagnostic activity levels delivered in 2023/24 were 6% higher than 2022/23 and 17% higher than pre-pandemic levels. Overall there was a 12% reduction in the diagnostic waiting list across the 2023/24 financial year (graph 2) despite some levelling off in winter months and a small recent increase which is being closely monitored. The waiting list stands at 8849 patients for April 2024 which breaks down into
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Papers Trust Board - 13 May 2025
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Agenda Trust Board – Open Session Date Time Location Chair Apologies In attendance 13/05/2025 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Jenni Douglas-Todd Keith Evans, Alison Tattersall Helena Blake, Head of Clinical Quality Assurance (shadowing Gail Byrne) Raquel Domene Luque, Interim Lead Matron, Ophthalmology (shadowing Gail Byrne) 1 Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest 9:00 Note apologies for absence, and to hear any declarations of interest relating to any item on the Agenda. 2 Patient Story (This item has been postponed until the next meeting) The patient story provides an opportunity for the Board to reflect on the experiences of patients and staff within the Trust and understand what the Trust could do better. 3 Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 11 March 2025 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 March 2025 4 Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions To discuss any matters arising from the minutes, and to agree on the status of any actions assigned at the previous meeting. 5 QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE Quality includes: clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee 9:10 Keith Evans, Chair 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee 9:15 Dave Bennett, Chair 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:20 Committee Jane Harwood, Chair 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee 9:25 Tim Peachey, Chair including Maternity and Neonatal Safety 2024-25 Quarter 3 Report 5.5 9:30 5.6 10:00 5.7 10:40 5.8 10:55 5.9 11:05 5.10 11:10 5.11 11:20 5.12 11:30 5.13 11:40 6 6.1 11:50 Chief Executive Officer's Report Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Performance KPI Report for Month 12 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Break Finance Report for Month 12 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer ICS Finance Report for Month 12 Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer People Report for Month 12 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer UHS Annual Staff Survey Results 2024 Report Discuss and note the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer Attendees: Ceri Connor, Director of OD and Inclusion/Sophie Limb, HR Project Manager Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Diana Hulbert, Guardian of Safe Working Hours and Emergency Department Consultant Learning from Deaths 2024-25 Quarter 3 and 4 Reports Review and discuss the reports Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING Corporate Objectives 2024-25 Quarter 4 Review Review and feedback on the corporate objectives Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Attendees: Martin De Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships/Kelly Kent, Head of Strategy and Partnerships Page 2 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update 12:00 Review and discuss the update Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary/Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager 6.3 South Central Regional Research Delivery Network (SC RRDN) 2024-25 12:10 Annual Performance Review and 2025-26 Annual Plan Receive and note the annual report and plan Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Clare Rook, Chief Operating Officer, CRN: Wessex 7 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors' (CoG) meeting 29 April 2025 12:25 (Oral) Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair's Actions Report 12:30 Receive and ratify In compliance with the Trust Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation. Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 8 Any other business 12:35 Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda 9 Note the date of the next meeting: 15 July 2025 10 Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair To agree, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust's Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Board of Directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. 11 Follow-up discussion with governors 12:40 Page 3 Agenda links to the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) 13 May 2025 – Open Session Overview of the BAF Risk 1a: Lack of capacity to appropriately respond to emergency demand, manage the increasing waiting lists for elective demand, and provide timely diagnostics, that results in avoidable harm to patients. 1b: Due to the current challenges, we fail to provide patients and their families / carers with a high-quality experience of care and positive patient outcomes. 1c: We do not effectively plan for and implement infection prevention and control measures that reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections and limit the number of nosocomial outbreaks of infection. 2a: We do not take full advantage of our position as a leading University teaching hospital with a growing, reputable, and innovative research and development portfolio, attracting the best staff and efficiently delivering the best possible treatments and care for our patients. 3a: We are unable to meet current and planned service requirements due to the unavailability of staff to fulfil key roles. 3b: We fail to develop a diverse, compassionate, and inclusive workforce, providing a more positive staff experience for all staff. 3c: We fail to create a sustainable and innovative education and development response to meet the current and future workforce needs identified in the Trust’s longer-term workforce plan. 4a: We do not implement effective models to deliver integrated and networked care, resulting in sub-optimal patient experience and outcomes, increased numbers of admissions and increases in patients’ length of stay. 5a: We are unable to deliver a financial breakeven position, resulting in: inability to move out of the NHS England Recovery Support Programme, NHS England imposing additional controls/undertakings, and a reducing cash balance impacting the Trust’s ability to invest in line with its capital plan, estates/digital strategies, and in transformation initiatives. 5b: We do not adequately maintain, improve and develop our estate to deliver our clinical services and increase capacity. 5c: Our digital technology or infrastructure fails to the extent that it impacts our ability to deliver care effectively and safely within the organisation, 5d: We fail to prioritise green initiatives to deliver a trajectory that will reduce our direct and indirect carbon footprint by 80% by 2028-2032 (compared with a 1990 baseline) and reach net zero direct carbon emissions by 2040 and net zero indirect carbon emissions by 2045. Agenda links to the BAF No Item Linked BAF risk(s) 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 12 5.8 Finance Report for Month 12 5.9 ICS Finance Report for Month 12 5.10 People Report for Month 12 5.11 UHS Staff Survey Results 2024 Report 5.12 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarter 3 Report 6.1 Corporate Objectives 2024-5 Quarter 3 Review 6.3 South Central Regional Research Delivery Network Annual Performance Review and 2025-26 Annual Plan 1a, 1b, 1c 5a 5a 3a, 3b, 3c 3b 3b, 3c All 1b, 2a Appetite (Category) Minimal (Safety) Current risk rating 4x5 20 Cautious (Experience) Minimal (Safety) 3x3 9 4x4 16 Open (Technology & Innovation) 3x3 9 Open (workforce) Open (workforce) Open (workforce) 4x5 20 4x3 12 4x4 16 Cautious (Effectiveness) 3x3 9 Cautious (Finance) 4x5 20 Target risk rating 4 x 2 Apr 6 27 3 x 2 Mar 6 26 2 x 3 Apr 6 27 3 x 2 Dec 6 25 4 x 3 Mar 12 26 4 x 2 Mar 8 27 3 x 2 Mar 6 29 3 x 2 Dec 6 25 3 x 3 Apr 9 30 Cautious (Effectiveness) Open (Technology & Innovation) Open (Technology & Innovation) 4x5 20 3x4 12 2x3 6 4 x 2 Apr 8 30 3 x 2 Apr 6 27 2 x 2 Dec 4 27 Does this item facilitate movement towards or away from the intended target risk score and appetite? Towards Away Neither X X X X X X X X Minutes Trust Board – Open Session Date Time 11/03/2025 9:00 – 13:00 Location Chair Conference Room, Heartbeat/Microsoft Teams Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Present Dave Bennett, NED (DB) Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer (GB) Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair (JD-T) Diana Eccles, NED (DE) Keith Evans, Deputy Chair and NED (KE) David French, Chief Executive Officer (DAF) Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer (PG) Steve Harris, Chief People Officer (SH) Jane Harwood, NED/Senior Independent Director (JH) Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer (IH) Duncan Linning-Karp, Interim Chief Operating Officer (DL-K) David Liverseidge, NED (DL) Tim Peachey, NED (TP) Alison Tattersall, NED (AT) In attendance Martin De Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships (MDeS) Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary (CM) Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager (LA) (item 6.2) Kelly Kent, Head of Strategy and Partnerships (KK) (item 6.1) 2 members of the public (item 2) 5 governors (observing) 7 members of staff (observing) 1 members of the public (observing) 1. Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting. There were no interests to declare in the business to be transacted at the meeting. 2. Patient Story Gregg and Serra [SURNAME] were invited to present their experience as the parents of a child who underwent successful open-heart surgery at Southampton General Hospital in September 2024, having been diagnosed with an atrioventricular septal defect in 2023. It was noted that: • The care provided by the Trust’s staff had been exceptional, including for being able to put matters into layman’s terms to assist understanding. • The interaction between staff and the child patient was also praised, with the parents reporting that their child had been viewed first of all as a person, rather than as simply another patient. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 7 January 2025 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 7 January 2025. Page 1 4. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions An update was provided in respect of the following actions: • 1200: it was noted that discussions had been had with Natasha Watts and Jenny Milner and the action was ongoing. • 1201: it was noted that an update would be presented in the closed session of the meeting. • 1202: the Trust had written to the Integrated Care Board. • 1203: it was noted that a meeting had been arranged to discuss Freedom to Speak Up on 21 March 2025. 5. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee The chair of the Audit and Risk Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Report in respect of the meeting held on 20 January 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The committee considered the accounting policies and management judgements for the 2024/25 annual accounts. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s compliance with the Code of Governance for NHS Provider Trusts, noting that the Trust was compliant in all areas or had appropriate explanations for the few areas of non-compliance. • The committee had received a report on cyber risk, noting that the main risk was from suppliers not having adequate protection and the Trust’s operations being impacted as a result of the loss of service. • The committee considered a report in respect of the risk of individuals impersonating agency staff and noted the Trust’s controls to mitigate against this risk. 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee The chair of the Finance and Investment Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Reports in respect of the meetings held on 27 January and 24 February 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 10 (item 5.8), noting that the Trust was forecasting a year-end deficit of £17.65m and delivery of £76m in efficiencies under the Cost Improvement Programme. • It was further noted that the Trust was anticipating that it would have carried out c.£40m of unpaid activity by the end of the year. • The committee considered a draft of the Trust’s annual plan submission, noting that 2025/26 would present a significant challenge. 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee The chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Reports in respect of the meetings held on 24 January and 24 February 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 10 (item 5.10), noting that whilst the Trust was forecasting to be 125 whole-time-equivalents (WTE) above its 2024/25 plan, the total substantive workforce would be 50 WTE lower than in March 2024. • There had been high levels of sickness absence over the period, which had resulted in increased use of bank staff. Concern was expressed in respect of the low uptake rate for vaccinations by staff compared to previous years. Page 2 • Appraisal rates were lower than anticipated, but it was possible that this was due to issues with the transfer of recording of appraisals to the Virtual Learning Environment system. 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee The chair of the Quality Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Report in respect of the meeting held on 27 January 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The committee had received an update in respect of the ‘Fundamentals of Care’ programme and noted that the programme was progressing well. • The committee reviewed the progress of the Always Improving outpatients and discharge programmes. • The committee reviewed the interim Maternity and Neonatal Safety Report, noting that there was nothing to escalate to the Board. 5.5 Chief Executive Officer’s Report David French was invited to present the Chief Executive Officer’s Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There had been significant changes in the leadership of NHS England with effectively all executive directors having resigned. Furthermore, there were expected to be significant reductions in the NHS England workforce and changes in the relationship between NHS England and the Department for Health and Social Care. • The Trust had received a request to provide feedback on a proposed management and leadership standard for the NHS. The Trust intended to respond to the consultation. • Concerns had been raised in respect of the Trust’s adult cardiac waiting list due to a mismatch in referrals against operations performed, which had resulted in an improvement plan being submitted to NHS South East Region and a quality visit on 4 February 2025. The Trust’s congenital cardiac team was also under pressure due to insufficient capacity. • Positive feedback had been received following a visit to the Trust’s maternity services by NHS South East Region and the Local Maternity and Neonatal System team. • On 28 February 2025, the Trust had announced the opening of the refurbished Muslim prayer room facilities. • The Trust’s mechanical thrombectomy service was now a 24/7 service and that it was expected that the service would treat up to 1,200 patients a year over the next five years. • Dr Stephen Harden, a consultant in cardiothoracic radiology at the Trust, had been elected as the incoming president of the Royal College of Radiologists for a three-year term commencing on 1 September 2025. 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 Duncan Linning-Karp was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 10, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Emergency Department remained under significant pressure due to the level of attendances (11,728 during January 2025), with performance against the four-hour wait target being 61% in January 2025 and 55% in February 2025. • The average number of patients having no criteria to reside was 232 during January 2025. • The Trust’s performance in respect of the 62- and 28-day cancer targets remained high at 79.1% and 83.6% respectively for December 2024. The Page 3 Trust’s performance in these areas was higher than the national targets for March 2026. • Compared to equivalent teaching hospitals, the Trust was second in the country for 65-week waits and joint first in the country for 78-week waits. It was expected that the outstanding 65-week wait patients at March 2025 would be limited to those awaiting material for corneal transplants, of which there was a national shortage, and a small number of complex patients. • The Trust’s mortality rate had fallen as expected and the Trust was ranked as having one of the lowest mortality rates in England. • There had been an increase in the number of incidents of pressure ulcers during January and February 2025. It was noted that often there was an increased number of patients with co-morbidities during the winter months, who were at greater risk of developing pressure ulcers. • Whilst staffing levels had been problematic during September and October 2024 in the Maternity service, the situation had since improved as newlyqualified nurses became substantive. • Further work was ongoing to promote wider use of virtual clinics as an alternative to face-to-face appointments. • The Trust was intending to spend £1.5m on hardware by the end of the year to address the issues caused by the average age of the Trust’s IT estate. Action Craig Machell agreed to add A/I to a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Gail Byrne agreed to present a deep-dive on pressure ulcers to the Quality Committee. 5.7 Break 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 10, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had been working with system partners to agree a ‘landing plan’ for the system for 2024/25 to deliver a break-even position. The Trust’s forecast was for a year-end deficit of £17.65m. • The Trust had recorded a £7.5m in-month surplus and a year-to-date deficit of £15.2m, £11.8m behind its plan. However, there remained an underlying deficit of c.£6.5m, which would pose a significant challenge for 2025/26. • The Trust was forecasting to have insufficient cash in May 2025 and therefore would require additional cash support. It was noted that cash support would require certain commitments from applicants and that requests were not always fulfilled. • The messaging from NHS England appeared to be that difficult decisions would be required to deliver a financially sustainable NHS and that there would be no additional funding. It was noted that a number of these decisions would be better made at a national level to ensure consistency across the country. 5.9 ICB Finance Report for Month 10 The ICB Finance Report for Month 10 was noted. 5.10 People Report for Month 10 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 10, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: Page 4 • Unison had put an offer to its members to resolve the dispute over Band 2/3 pay. It was expected that the vote would conclude at the end of March 2025. • The consultation in respect of the transfer of staff to UHS Estates Limited had progressed well, with the transfer expected to take place on 1 April 2025. • Progress continued to be made in respect of the action plan agreed with portering staff. • The Trust had exceeded its workforce plan by 153 whole-time-equivalents (WTE) at the end of January 2025. There had been a significant increase in use of bank staff due to continued high levels of sickness absence and the need to open surge capacity. • It was forecast that the Trust would be 125 WTE above its plan for 2024/25. It was noted that the Trust had anticipated a reduction in staffing numbers of c.220 WTE due to reductions in patients having no criteria to reside and delivery of system transformation programmes. However, these assumptions had not materialised. 5.11 Mortuary Standards Compliance Update Gail Byrne was invited to provide an update in respect of the actions required following the Fuller Inquiry, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The action plan and outputs from the Fuller Inquiry had been presented to the Board at its meeting held on 6 June 2024. • It was noted that all the actions identified had been completed. 6. STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Corporate Objectives 2024-25 Quarter 3 Review Martin De Sousa and Kelly Kent were invited to present the ‘Corporate Objectives 2024-25 Quarter 3 Review’, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that fifty per cent of objectives were on track to be delivered in full (a reduction compared to the second quarter), 37.5% were amber and 12.5% were red. 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Lauren Anderson was invited to present the Board Assurance Framework Update, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There were six risks rated as ‘critical’ (i.e. 15 or above), with one risk (risk 3c) having been upgraded from 12 due to increased likelihood given reductions in the available funding and workforce. • The target dates for six risks had also been extended, including two out to April 2030 due in part to uncertainty in respect of funding availability. 7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors’ (CoG) meeting 29 January 2025 The Chair presented a summary of the Council of Governors’ meeting held on 29 January 2025. It was noted that the meeting had considered the following matters: • Chief Executive Officer’s Performance Report Page 5 • Chair and Non-Executive Director Appraisal Process • Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference • Governors’ Nomination Committee Terms of Reference • Annual Business Plan • Noting the appointment of David Liverseidge following the original approval given in 2024. • Governor Attendance • Membership Engagement 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report The paper ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’ was presented to the meeting, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that the following items had been sealed on 7 March 2025: • TP1 Land Registry between University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Prime Infrastructure Management Services 4 Limited (the Transferor) and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (Transferee) relating to Land forming part of an accessway adjoining Plot 2, Bargain Farm, Frogmore Lane, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 0XS. Seal number 291 on 7 March 2025 • TP1 Land Registry between University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and Prime Infrastructure Management Services 4 Limited (Transferor) and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (the Transferee) relating to Land forming part of an accessway adjoining Plot 2, Bargain Farm, Frogmore Lane, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 0XS. Seal number 292 on 7 March 2025. • Underlease between Just Retirement Limited (the Landlord) and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (the Tenant) relating to Aseptic Pharmacy and Offices on the Ground, 1st and 2nd Floors at Plot 2 Adanac Health and Innovation Campus, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 0XS. Seal number 293 on 7 March 2025. • Reversionary Underlease between Just Retirement Limited (the Landlord) and University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (the Tenant) relating to Ground and first Floor Sterile Services Unit and Offices at Plot 2 Adanac Health and Innovation Campus, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 0XS. Seal number 294 on 7 March 2025. • Underlease between Just Retirement Limited (the Landlord), IHSS Limited (the Tenant) and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (the Trust) relating to Ground and first Floor Sterile Services Unit and Offices at Plot 2 Adanac Health and Innovation Campus, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 0XS. Seal number 295 on 7 March 2025. • Sub-Underlease between University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Landlord) and UHS Estates Limited (Tenant) of Aseptic Pharmacy and Offices on the Ground, 1st and 2nd Floors at Plot 2 Adanac Health and Innovation Campus, Nursling, Southampton, Hampshire SO16 0XS. Seal number 296 on 7 March 2025. Page 6 Decision: The Board agreed to ratify the application of the Trust Seal to the documents listed in the ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’ and in respect of the items listed above. 7.3 Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference Craig Machell was invited to present the proposed changes to the Audit and Risk Committee’s Terms of Reference, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Audit and Risk Committee had reviewed its terms of reference at its meeting on 20 January 2025, following which input had been sought from the Council of Governors at its meeting held on 29 January 2025. • It was proposed to amend a reference in paragraph 10.2 and to update Appendix A. Decision Having considered the proposed amendments to the Audit and Risk Committee’s Terms of Reference, the Board approved the changes. 7.4 Finance and Investment Committee Terms of Reference Craig Machell was invited to present the proposed changes to the Finance and Investment Committee’s Terms of Reference, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Finance and Investment Committee had reviewed its terms of reference at its meeting on 27 January 2025. • It was proposed to update Appendix A. Decision Having considered the proposed amendments to the Finance and Investment Committee’s Terms of Reference, the Board approved the changes. 7.5 Quality Committee Terms of Reference Craig Machell was invited to present the proposed changes to the Quality Committee’s Terms of Reference, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Quality Committee had reviewed its terms of reference at its meeting on 27 January 2025. • It was proposed to amend a reference in paragraph 10.2 and to update Appendix A. Decision Having considered the proposed amendments to the Quality Committee’s Terms of Reference, the Board approved the changes. 7.6 Remuneration and Appointment Committee Terms of Reference Craig Machell was invited to present the Remuneration and Appointment Committee’s Terms of Reference, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: Page 7 • The Remuneration and Appointment Committee had reviewed its terms of reference at its meeting on 11 March 2025. • No changes were proposed. Decision Having considered the Remuneration and Appointment Committee’s Terms of Reference, the Board approved the terms of reference. 7.7 Trust Executive Committee Terms of Reference Craig Machell was invited to present the proposed changes to the Trust Executive Committee’s Terms of Reference, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust Executive Committee (TEC) had reviewed its terms of reference at its meeting on 12 February 2025. • It was noted that the most significant amendments were in respect of the following: o Introduction of the pre-TEC process for business cases requiring additional expenditure; o The role of the TEC as a forum for discussion of significant strategic matters; o The TEC’s role in identification of opportunities for system collaboration; o Updates to reflect the current role of the Trust Investment Group and the TEC under the Standing Financial Instructions; and o Other amendments to add clarity about the TEC’s operation and reports received. Decision Having considered the proposed amendments to the Trust Executive Committee’s Terms of Reference, the Board approved the changes. 8. Any other business There was no other business. 9. Note the date of the next meeting: 13 May 2025 10. Items circulated to the Board for reading The item circulated to the Board for reading was noted. There being no further business, the meeting concluded. 10. Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Decision: The Board resolved that, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust’s Constitution and the Standing Orders of the board of directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. The meeting was adjourned. Page 8 List of action items Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 25/07/2024 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee (Oral) 1163. Impact of technology Machell, Craig 03/06/2025 Pending Explanation action item Craig Machell agreed to add an item covering the impact of technology over the next 5-10 years to a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Update: Item deferred to Study Session on 03/06/2025. Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 5.13 Infection Prevention and Control 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report 1204. Infection prevention Byrne, Gail 03/06/2025 Pending Explanation action item Gail Byrne agreed to include an item on infection prevention control at a future Trust Board Study Session to include details of an Australian study, point of care testing, and progress on the roll out of the Fundamentals of Care programme. Update: Item tentatively scheduled for TBSS on 03/06/2025. Trust Board – Open Session 11/03/2025 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 1217. Artificial Intelligence (A/I) Machell, Craig Explanation action item Craig Machell agreed to add A/I to a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. 03/06/2025 Pending Update: Tentatively scheduled for TBSS on 03/06/2024. Agenda item Assigned to Trust Board – Open Session 11/03/2025 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 1218. Pressure ulcers Byrne, Gail Explanation action item Gail Byrne agreed to present a deep-dive on pressure ulcers to the Quality Committee. Deadline Status 13/05/2025 Pending Page 2 of 2 Agenda item 5.1 Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 May 2025 Committee: Audit & Risk Committee Meeting Date: 17 March 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • The committee considered the going concern assessment for the 2024/25 accounts and agreed that the accounts should be prepared on a ‘going concern’ basis. The external auditor reported that there had been no significant issues resulting from the transfer to a new finance system. The committee received a report on losses and special payments during 2024/25 and noted that the levels were similar to previous years. These payments were generally related to lost patient property. The committee reviewed the Trust’s Treasury Policy, confirmed the current bank mandate and approved certain minor changes to the Treasury Policy. An update was received in respect of Information Governance. It was noted that the Trust – in common with most others – was not expected to meet the standards set out in the Data Security and Protection Toolkit for 2024/25 due to the introduction of the Cyber Assurance Framework. The Trust had reported six breaches to the Information Commissioner since 1 January 2024, but none of the incidents resulted in further action on the part of the regulator. The committee agreed the Fraud team’s work plan for 2025/26. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial N/A • All risks had been reviewed with the relevant executive director(s). • It was suggested that Risk 3c should be reconsidered in terms of what the main risk was given the increase in risk rating to 16, particularly whether the main concern was running out of trained staff as opposed to being unable to deliver training and development. Any Other Matters: • The committee reviewed the outputs from the internal audit reports in respect of rostering, the discharge process, and core financial controls noting that there was nothing significant which required escalation to the Board. Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. Page 1 of 2 No Assurance Not Applicable Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.2 i) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 May 2025 Committee: Finance & Investment Committee Meeting Date: 24 March 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s 2025/26 annual plan. It was noted that the NHS in England was forecasting a deficit of £6.6bn, which had resulted in significant intervention by Government, including the abolition of NHS England and 50% reductions in integrated care boards’ costs. These reductions would be supplemented by a national mutually agreed resignation scheme. The Trust anticipated running out of cash in May 2025, but it was understood that cash support would no longer be provided. The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System was aiming to reach a breakeven position in 2025/26. This would necessitate additional controls on recruitment and 5-10% reductions in expenditure/headcount as well as achievement of challenging Cost Improvement Programme targets. The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 11. It was noted that the Trust had recorded an in-month surplus of £8.2m due to a number of one-off items. There had been an increase in the use of bank staff due to the need to open surge capacity and the demand resulting from patients with mental health issues. The committee received an update in respect of the transformation plans regarding the ‘living within our means’, urgent and emergency care, and elective care recovery workstreams. The committee reviewed the quarterly update from Estates, Facilities and Capital Development. It was noted that there was a plan for removal of all reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) on the Southampton General Hospital site. It was further noted that the steam ducts on the site continued to be an issue and there was a risk that the Trust was at the limit for electricity usage on the site. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) N/A Any Other Matters: The committee considered a business case in respect of a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Elective Hub in Winchester. It was noted that this proposal was reviewed and approved at the Trust Board meeting on 25 March 2025. Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Page 1 of 2 Reasonable Assurance Limited Assurance No Assurance Not Applicable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.2 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 May 2025 Committee: Finance and Investment Committee Meeting Date: 28 April 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • • The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 12 (see below). The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s cash position, noting that the Trust’s cash position had been relatively stable during the fourth quarter due to receipt of additional one-off funding and careful supplier payment management. However, the Trust was highly likely to require cash support in either Q1 or Q2. The committee noted the report from the Trust’s digital services, noting the successful negotiation of a discount for purchasing new laptops due to the number required. In addition, there had been a leak in GICU which had impacted the switch network, but which had since been rectified. It was further noted that, during the first months of the year, the Trust had blocked more attempted cyber attacks than in the whole of 2024. It was noted that trusts had been set challenging targets for reducing the size of their corporate services, and as such were expected to reduce the size of these services by 50% of the growth since 2018/19. The committee received an update on the Trust’s 2025/26 capital plan, noting that the plan was under review owing to the Trust’s cash position. In addition, it had been agreed to prioritise maintaining the Trust’s level of expenditure on strategic maintenance and to defer the refurbishment of the neuro theatres. The committee reviewed the update from the Trust’s commercial team, including in respect of private and overseas patients, the proposed private patient unit, and Adanac Park. The committee supported the Trust’s participation in the proposed Elective Hub at Winchester. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 5.8 Finance Report for Month 12 Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial High • The Trust had successfully ended the year at where it expected to do so with a deficit of £7m at year end. • The Trust’s underlying position remained a concern with a £6.9m deficit recorded during the month. • The committee reviewed the high use of bank staff during months 8 to 12, noting that the Trust had opened surge capacity during this period and was experiencing significant demand. • The Trust had achieved 127% elective recovery performance against the national target of 113%, and had also delivered its 2024/25 Cost Improvement Programme target in full (£85m). • The Trust had also spent £96m of capital during 2024/25. 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial N/A • Risks 5a, 5b and 5c have been updated, following discussions with the respective Executive Director(s). Page 1 of 2 Any Other Matters: • The committee discussed whether the 2030 target for risk 5b was realistic and whether the rating to be achieved by 2030 should be increased. N/A Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. No Assurance There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Not Applicable Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.3 i) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 May 2025 Committee: People & Organisational Development Committee Meeting Date: 24 March 2025 Key Messages: • • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 11. It was noted that February 2025 had continued to be challenging due to high sickness rates, with the Trust close to calling a critical incident. This had driven much higher bank rates. There had been a lower than forecast number of leavers during the month (44 whole-timeequivalents (WTE) against a forecast of 100). The Trust was 267 WTE above its plan. The Trust’s draft Workforce Plan for 2025/26 was reviewed. The Trust was required to deliver a breakeven plan. Accordingly, the Trust was anticipating a freeze on all non-clinical vacancies and holding 30% of clinical vacancies. In addition, there would potentially be a target to reduce headcount by 5-10% as well as additional reductions in use of bank and agency staff. It was further proposed to reorganise the four existing Divisions into three in order to deliver efficiencies. It was noted that even if the Trust achieved fully against all performance targets and implemented the restrictions and reductions above, there would still be a deficit. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 5.11 UHS Staff Survey Results 2024 Report Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Reasonable Low • The committee reviewed the Staff Survey results for 2024. • The Trust had maintained its above average position across all of the People Promise domains. • The Trust’s results remained broadly similar to those in 2023, although there had been improvements in some areas, such as satisfaction with immediate managers, flexible working, appraisals, and confidence in reporting unsafe practice, violence, bullying and harassment. • The participation rate was low at 39%, which gave rise to some concern about how reflective of the workforce the results were. A significant difference in engagement between non-clinical and clinical staff was noted. 6.2 Board Assurance Framework Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Update Substantial N/A • Risks 3a, 3b and 3c had been updated, following discussions with the respective Executive Director(s). • Risk 3c had been upgraded from 12 to 16 to reflect the reduction in national funding for education and training and the more restrictive funding framework. In addition, it was noted that the intended reduction in NHS corporate infrastructure would impact training and development staff. • The committee agreed to review the Board Assurance Framework again once the 2025/26 plan had been approved. Any Other Matters: • The committee received an update in respect of the Band 2/3 pay dispute and in respect of the portering department. Page 1 of 2 Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. No Assurance There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Not Applicable Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.3 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 May 2025 Committee: People & Organisational Development Committee Meeting Date: 25 April 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 12 (see below). The committee noted the significant challenges for 2025/26 in delivering the Trust’s Annual Plan and the implications for its workforce. In particular, the Trust was anticipating having to reduce its overall workforce by 6% during the year, coupled with a 20% reduction in bank staff and 30% reduction in agency staff. It was noted that the organisational changes would need to happen at pace, but that there was not presently central funding to support this. The Trust had implemented strict recruitment controls, including a freeze on all non-clinical recruitment and would hold 30% of clinical vacancies. Delivery of the Trust’s 2025/26 plan also assumed significant reductions in the numbers of mental health patients and in patients having no criteria to reside. It had been announced that the Trust would be restructuring its divisions, reducing from four to three. It was anticipated that this would be completed by 1 July 2025. Furthermore, the Trust had a medium- to long-term objective of developing and implementing shared services with other organisations in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System. The organisational and workforce changes envisaged were to be supported by both an equality and a quality impact asse
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Papers Trust Board - 11 March 2025
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Date Time Location Chair Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 11/03/2025 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Jenni Douglas-Todd 1 Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest 9:00 Note apologies for absence, and to hear any declarations of interest relating to any item on the Agenda. 2 Patient Story The patient story provides an opportunity for the Board to reflect on the experiences of patients and staff within the Trust and understand what the Trust could do better. 3 Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 7 January 2025 9:15 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 January 2025 4 Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions To discuss any matters arising from the minutes, and to agree on the status of any actions assigned at the previous meeting. 5 QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE Quality includes: clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee 9:20 Keith Evans, Chair 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee 9:25 Dave Bennett, Chair 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:30 Committee Jane Harwood, Chair 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee 9:35 Tim Peachey, Chair 5.5 Chief Executive Officer's Report 9:40 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 10:10 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.7 Break 10:45 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 11:00 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 5.9 ICS Finance Report for Month 10 11:15 Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 5.10 People Report for Month 10 11:20 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer 5.11 Mortuary Standards Compliance Update (Oral) 11:35 Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer 6 STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Corporate Objectives 2024-25 Quarter 3 Review 11:40 Review and feedback on the corporate objectives Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Attendees: Martin De Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships/Kelly Kent, Head of Strategy and Partnerships 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update 11:50 Review and discuss the update Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary/Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager 7 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors' (CoG) meeting 29 January 2025 12:00 (Oral) Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair's Actions Report 12:05 Receive and ratify In compliance with the Trust Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation. Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair Page 2 7.3 Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference 12:10 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7.4 Finance and Investment Committee Terms of Reference 12:15 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Dave Bennett, Committee Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7.5 Quality Committee Terms of Reference 12:20 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsors: Tim Peachey, Committee Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7.6 Remuneration and Appointment Committee Terms of Reference 12:25 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7.7 Trust Executive Committee Terms of Reference 12:30 Approve the proposed amendments to the Terms of Reference Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 8 Any other business 12:35 Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda 9 Note the date of the next meeting: 13 May 2025 10 Items circulated to the Board for reading 29 January 2025 Message from Ian Howard re Update on legal dispute with BAM 10.1 South Central Regional Research Delivery Network (SC RRDN) 2024-25 Q3 Performance Report Note the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Page 3 11 Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair To agree, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust's Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Board of Directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. 12 Follow-up discussion with governors 12:45 Page 4 Agenda links to the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) 11 March 2025 – Open Session Overview of the BAF Risk 1a: Lack of capacity to appropriately respond to emergency demand, manage the increasing waiting lists for elective demand, and provide timely diagnostics, that results in avoidable harm to patients. 1b: Due to the current challenges, we fail to provide patients and their families / carers with a high-quality experience of care and positive patient outcomes. 1c: We do not effectively plan for and implement infection prevention and control measures that reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections and limit the number of nosocomial outbreaks of infection. 2a: We do not take full advantage of our position as a leading University teaching hospital with a growing, reputable, and innovative research and development portfolio, attracting the best staff and efficiently delivering the best possible treatments and care for our patients. 3a: We are unable to meet current and planned service requirements due to the unavailability of staff to fulfil key roles. 3b: We fail to develop a diverse, compassionate, and inclusive workforce, providing a more positive staff experience for all staff. 3c: We fail to create a sustainable and innovative education and development response to meet the current and future workforce needs identified in the Trust’s longer-term workforce plan. 4a: We do not implement effective models to deliver integrated and networked care, resulting in sub-optimal patient experience and outcomes, increased numbers of admissions and increases in patients’ length of stay. 5a: We are unable to deliver a financial breakeven position, resulting in: inability to move out of the NHS England Recovery Support Programme, NHS England imposing additional controls/undertakings, and a reducing cash balance impacting the Trust’s ability to invest in line with its capital plan, estates/digital strategies, and in transformation initiatives. 5b: We do not adequately maintain, improve and develop our estate to deliver our clinical services and increase capacity. 5c: Our digital technology or infrastructure fails to the extent that it impacts our ability to deliver care effectively and safely within the organisation, 5d: We fail to prioritise green initiatives to deliver a trajectory that will reduce our direct and indirect carbon footprint by 80% by 2028-2032 (compared with a 1990 baseline) and reach net zero direct carbon emissions by 2040 and net zero indirect carbon emissions by 2045. Agenda links to the BAF No Item Linked BAF risk(s) 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 5.9 ICS Finance Report for Month 10 5.10 People Report for Month 10 5.11 Mortuary Standards Compliance Update 5.11 Corporate Objectives 2024-5 Quarter 3 Review 1a, 1b, 1c 5a 5a 3a, 3b, 3c 1b All Appetite (Category) Minimal (Safety) Current risk rating 4x5 20 Cautious (Experience) Minimal (Safety) 3x3 9 4x4 16 Open (Technology & Innovation) 3x3 9 Open (workforce) Open (workforce) Open (workforce) 4x5 20 4x3 12 4x4 16 Cautious (Effectiveness) 3x3 9 Cautious (Finance) 4x5 20 Target risk rating 4 x 2 Apr 6 27 3 x 2 Mar 6 26 2 x 3 Apr 6 27 3 x 2 Dec 6 25 4 x 3 Mar 12 26 4 x 2 Mar 8 27 3 x 2 Mar 6 29 3 x 2 Dec 6 25 3 x 3 Apr 9 30 Cautious (Effectiveness) Open (Technology & Innovation) Open (Technology & Innovation) 4x5 20 3x4 12 2x3 6 4 x 2 Apr 8 30 3 x 2 Apr 6 27 2 x 2 Dec 4 27 Does this item facilitate movement towards or away from the intended target risk score and appetite? Towards Away Neither x x x x x x Minutes Trust Board – Open Session Date Time 07/01/2025 9:00 – 13:00 Location Chair Conference Room, Heartbeat/Microsoft Teams Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Present Dave Bennett, NED (DB) Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer (GB) Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair (JD-T) Diana Eccles, NED (DE) Keith Evans, Deputy Chair and NED (KE) David French, Chief Executive Officer (DAF) Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer (PG) Steve Harris, Chief People Officer (SH) Jane Harwood, NED/Senior Independent Director (JH) Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer (IH) David Liverseidge, NED (DL) Tim Peachey, NED (TP) Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer (JT) Alison Tattersall, NED (AT) In attendance Martin De Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships (MDeS) Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary (CM) James Allen, Chief Pharmacist (JA) (item 5.14) Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager (LA) (item 6.1) Julie Brooks, Deputy Director of Infection Prevention & Control (JB) (item 5.13) Rosemary Chable, Head of Nursing for Education, Practice and Staffing (RC) (item 5.15) Diana Hulbert, Guardian of Safe Working Hours and Emergency Department Consultant (DH) (item 5.11) Christine Mbabazi, Equality & Inclusion Adviser/Freedom to Speak Up Guardian (CMb) (item 5.10) John Mcgonigle, Emergency Planning & Resilience Manager (JMc) (item 7.1) Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience (JM) (item 5.12) Danielle Sinclair, Deputy Emergency Planner (DS) (item 7.1) Julian Sutton, Lead Infection Control Director (JS) (item 5.13) Fatemeh Jenabi, Specialty Registrar (FJ) (shadowing JT) 1 member of the public (item 2) 6 governors (observing) 4 members of staff (observing) 1. Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting. There were no interests to declare in the business to be transacted at the meeting. The Board welcomed David Liverseidge, who had been appointed as an independent non-executive director with effect from 1 January 2025. Page 1 It was noted that Joe Teape had accepted an appointment as chief executive officer of Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, and, accordingly Joe Teape would be leaving the Trust in February 2025. It was further noted that Jenni Douglas-Todd had been appointed as chair of the partnership between Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and Isle of Wight NHS Trust, commencing on 1 April 2025. 2. Patient Story Gillian Muir, one of the Trust’s ‘involved patients’, was invited to relate their experience of treatment for tongue and thyroid cancer in 2022. It was noted that: • Both the treatment received and staff were rated positively. However, the referral process was open to criticism. • In addition, it was considered that it would be beneficial to have a single point for information for patients as well as more information about self-help and on the patient journey. • The importance of the emotional aspect of treatment was noted as was the benefit of using patients to help other patients. Action Gail Byrne agreed to consider how the recommendations made in patient stories could be captured and action taken as a result. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 5 November 2024 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 5 November 2024. 4. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions It was noted that all actions were either closed or not yet due for completion. 5. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee The chair of the Finance and Investment Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Reports in respect of the meetings held on 25 November and 16 December 2024, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s financial position remained challenging with additional cost pressures due to the pay awards and non-delivery of system-wide transformation programmes resulting in a year-to-date deficit of £18.2m. • There was a shortfall of £17m in respect of delivery of the Trust’s Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), largely due to non-delivery of system transformation programmes. • The Trust benchmarked well against comparator organisations in terms of its value-for-money and elective recovery delivery. • As at the end of November 2024, the Trust had carried out £21m in unfunded activity. • The Trust’s cash balance remained a concern, as it was being eroded by the Trust’s underlying monthly deficit and was expected to fall below the minimum required level in the first quarter of 2025/26. Page 2 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee The chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Report in respect of the meeting held on 13 December 2024, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • As anticipated, the Trust’s workforce had grown slightly in November 2024. However, the main challenge to meeting the Trust’s 2024/25 plan remained the non-delivery of system-wide transformation programmes in mental health and non-criteria to reside, which the Trust had assumed would enable a reduction in its workforce by 218 whole-time-equivalents (WTE). • The committee received an update in respect of the ongoing industrial dispute with portering staff and in respect of the Band 2/3 pay dispute. • The committee reviewed the Board Assurance Framework and suggested that the rating of risk 3c should be increased to reflect the financial situation and uncertainty around the NHS long-term workforce plan (item 6.1). • Issues such as ongoing industrial disputes were impacting the Trust’s capacity to make progress on other areas such as organisational and cultural development and transformation. 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee including Maternity and Neonatal Safety 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report The chair of the Quality Committee was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Report in respect of the meeting held on 25 November 2024, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There had been seven ‘never events’ during 2024/25. • The committee had reviewed the Learning from Deaths 2024-25 Quarter 2 report (item 5.12), and it was noted that the risk rating attributable to this area in the Chair’s Report was aggregated. • The committee had reviewed the Infection Prevention and Control 2024-25 Quarter 2 report (item 5.13). • The committee had scrutinised the Maternity and Neonatal Safety 2024-25 Quarter 2 report in detail. 5.4 Chief Executive Officer’s Report David French was invited to present the Chief Executive Officer’s Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There had been a water supply failure on 18 December 2024 due to a technical problem at a nearby water treatment works, which resulted in a loss of water for three days. Southern Water supplied the Trust with water via tankers during this period to ensure that soft (non-potable) water was available throughout the interruption. The Trust’s Estates team managed this incident well. • It had been a difficult start to 2025 with high Emergency Department attendance levels and ambulance volumes, exacerbated by the national prevalence of seasonal illnesses such as influenza, which impacted both patient and staff numbers. • In order to manage Emergency Department attendances as high as 450 patients per day, the Trust had been required to situate patients in other areas of the hospital, which placed additional logistical burdens on staff. • The high rates of attendance meant that the Trust was close to declaring a critical incident, noting that other local providers had already done so. • There were 263 patients having no criteria to reside awaiting discharge. Page 3 • The Government had made a number of announcements prior to Christmas in respect of possible reforms, including introduction of a league table for NHS providers. • In addition, the Government had announced its targets for the NHS, including a commitment that 92% of patients were seen within 18 weeks, which would likely pose a significant challenge, as currently only around 60% of patients were seen within this timeframe. There was also a possibility that a cap would be introduced on Elective Recovery Funding. • Based on discussions with NHS England, it was understood that the £22bn of additional funding announced in the Autumn Statement had already been allocated to address pay awards and other cost pressures, and accordingly 2025/26 would likely feel like a 1-2% decrease in terms of funding. The messaging from NHS England appeared to have also altered to one of providers doing what they could within the available funding envelope, rather than attempting to deliver against all targets whilst at the same time delivering a break-even financial position. • It was proposed to regulate NHS managers, and a consultation, closing on 18 February 2025, had been launched on 26 November 2024. It was agreed that any such regulation needed to be fair and equitable. • The Trust had opened a new state-of-the-art special care baby unit, designed to increase capacity and offer enhanced specialist care. 5.5 Performance KPI Report for Month 8 Joe Teape was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust continued to perform well when compared to other equivalent organisations. • During November 2024, there had been an average of 450 patients per day attending the Emergency Department, and four-hour performance at Southampton General Hospital was 56.1%. • There had been improvements in cancer waiting times against the 28-day faster diagnosis and 31-day targets. • The Trust’s Referral To Treatment waiting list had reduced slightly, and the Trust’s performance against the 18-week target was top-quartile. • Between August and October 2024, the Trust’s performance against the six- week diagnostic standard was 87%, which although below the national target, was top-quartile. 5.6 Break 5.7 Finance Report for Month 8 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had reported a £5.7m in-month deficit (£18.2m year-to-date) and was £14.8m behind its 2024/25 plan. • The Trust had submitted its financial recovery plan to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and was on track with this plan, with the exception of the pressures due to the pay award. • Based on the national month 7 productivity data, average national increased productivity was 1.7% whereas the Trust had recorded 4% during the same period. • The Trust’s cash position continued to deteriorate and there was a significant risk that additional cash support would be required in the fourth quarter. Page 4 • There was a risk that a cap would be applied to Elective Recovery funding in 2024/25 based on month 8 performance. 5.8 ICB Finance Report for Month 8 Ian Howard was invited to present the ICB Finance Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Integrated Care System had reported a year-to-date deficit of £39.71m, compared to a planned year-to-date deficit of £10.23m. • £70m of cash support had been received and the ICS was forecasting achieving break-even at the end of the year. The Board discussed the ICB Finance Report for Month 8 and challenged the requests contained in the report in respect of the assurance to be given by Executive Directors regarding the system-wide transformation programmes. It was noted that whilst Executive Directors would be able to provide assurance regarding the Trust’s contribution, it would not be reasonable to expect them to provide assurance regarding matters outside their control. The Board additionally challenged the assertion that the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System would achieve break-even at the end of 2024/25, noting that there was no expectation that the system transformation programmes would deliver significant benefits in the final quarter. Actions Ian Howard agreed to coordinate a report to the Board in respect of the Trust’s contribution to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System transformation programmes. The Chair and David French agreed to discuss the requests of the Board in the ICB Finance Reports with the Integrated Care Board’s chair. 5.9 People Report for Month 8 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust was 77 whole-time-equivalents (WTE) above its 2024/25 plan and was projecting to be 186 WTE above plan at year end. The plan assumed a reduction of 218 WTE linked to improvements in mental health and patients having no criteria to reside through successful delivery of system-wide transformation programmes. These transformation programmes had yet to deliver any significant benefit. • An update was provided in respect of the industrial dispute with portering staff. It was noted that an ACAS-facilitated deal had been brokered and agreed with staff, although the mandate for strike action remained in force until May 2025. • An update was provided regarding the ongoing pay dispute relating to Band 2 and 3 staff. 5.10 Freedom to Speak Up Report The Freedom to Speak Up Report was tabled to the meeting, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There had been 97 cases reported during 2024, most of which related to allegations of bullying or issues with team dynamics. Only one report related to a patient safety issue. Page 5 • It would be necessary to review responses to the staff survey regarding attitudes toward speaking up. • A ‘heatmap’ to triangulate safety, quality and wellbeing concerns was under consideration. The Board discussed the report and queried why staff felt unable to utilise line or senior management to resolve many of the issues reported via the Trust’s Freedom to Speak Up process. The importance of visibility on the part of the leadership team was noted. Actions Gail Byrne agreed to consider how Freedom to Speak Up can be used for its original purpose of raising concerns of safety. 5.11 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report Diana Hulbert was invited to present the Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The vacancy rate for resident doctors was 9.16%, which was in line with previous years and low compared with peers. • There had been an average of 48 exception reports per month over the past 12 months. The most common reason had been due to working hours breaches and the majority had been in relation to F1 grades. • A lack of office space and lockers remained an issue. • The generation of a sense of belonging amongst resident doctors posed a challenge. • The session on resident doctors at the Trust Board Study Session in November 2024 was a welcome opportunity to speak to the Board about the lives of resident doctors. 5.12 Learning from Deaths 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report Jenny Milner was invited to present the Learning from Deaths 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s relative mortality rate was lower than expected compared with national figures. The Trust was one of 12 other trusts (out of 119) in this position. • The Independent Medical Examiners Group had commenced work during the second quarter and was responsible for reviewing all deaths. • An electronic application was being developed to assist in disseminating the outputs from Mortality and Morbidity meetings. • There had been an increased number of reports of patients dying in bays rather than side-rooms, which correlated with complaints received. 5.13 Infection Prevention and Control 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report Julian Sutton and Julie Brooks were invited to present the Infection Prevention and Control 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • In line with a more general national trend, the Trust was not expecting to meet its targets in respect of infection prevention and control. Page 6 • However, the Trust compared favourably with peers. • A hand-washing campaign had been carried out in October and November 2024. • Rates of clostridioides difficile were increasing both nationally and internationally. • The situation with regard to the candida auris outbreak appeared to be improving following the interventions made by the Trust. The screening arrangements would likely be required indefinitely and the maintaining of the fundamentals of care programme expectations was crucial to preventing future outbreaks. Action Gail Byrne agreed to include an item on infection prevention control at a future Trust Board Study Session to include details of an Australian study, point of care testing, and progress on the roll out of the Fundamentals of Care programme. 5.14 Annual Medicines Management 2023-24 Report James Allen was invited to present the Annual Medicines Management 2023-24 Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • During 2023/24, the Trust spent £219m on medicines, a four per cent increase compared to 2022/23. • Training continued successfully, although operational pressures had led to some challenges in this area. • The pharmacy team’s support to clinical trials had improved. • Improvements were required to the Trust’s estate to make it more suitable for the safe storage of medicines, especially given the increased volume and acuity of mental health in-patients and the resulting challenges in terms of security of patients’ medication. • The aseptic site at Adanac Park was expected to be ready in the coming months • Consideration was being given as to whether to stop prescribing over-thecounter medicines on discharge in order to accelerate the discharge process. 5.15 Annual Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2024 Gail Byrne was invited to present the Annual Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2024, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • It was a requirement from the National Quality Board that the Establishment Review be discussed by the Board in open session. • Out of the 37 recommendations which were made following the Francis inquiry in 2013, the Trust was compliant with 35. The areas of non-compliance related to the allocation of time for supervision time for statutory and mandatory training and in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion. Progress was being made in these areas, but further action was required to achieve full compliance. • The Trust was compliant with 37 out of 38 of the recommendations included in the NICE guideline on safe staffing for in-patient wards. An action plan was in place to address the single area of non-compliance. Page 7 • The Trust had conducted a robust six-monthly ward staffing review. Areas of challenge related to night shifts and the increasing number of patients with enhanced care needs. 6. STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Lauren Anderson was invited to present the Board Assurance Framework Update, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Five of the Trust’s risks were rated ‘critical’ and five were outside of appetite. • The rating of risk 5a had been increased from 15 to 20 due to the continuing financial pressures and the erosion of the Trust’s cash balance. • A new scoring matrix was being rolled out for the operational risk register and BAF risks. 7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) John Mcgonigle was invited to present the Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had reported full compliance in 60 out of 62 core standards as part of the self-assessment, with an overall assurance rating of ‘substantially compliant’. • The two key areas for improvement were in respect of lockdown procedures and the Trust’s approach to business continuity. • The Trust had also carried out a deep-dive into its cyber security arrangements. 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report The paper ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’ was presented to the meeting, the content of which was noted. Decision: The Board agreed to ratify the application of the Trust Seal to the documents listed in the ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’. 8. Any other business The Board expressed its thanks to Joe Teape for his time as Chief Operating Officer, noting that this would be his last Board meeting at the Trust. 9. Note the date of the next meeting: 11 March 2025 Page 8 10. Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Decision: The Board resolved that, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust’s Constitution and the Standing Orders of the board of directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. The meeting was adjourned. Page 9 List of action items Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 25/07/2024 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee (Oral) 1163. Impact of technology Machell, Craig 01/04/2025 Pending Explanation action item Craig Machell agreed to add an item covering the impact of technology over the next 5-10 years to a future Trust Board Study Session agenda. Update: Item tentatively scheduled for 01/04/2025 Study Session. Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 2 Patient Story 1200. Recommendations Byrne, Gail 11/03/2025 Pending Explanation action item Gail Byrne agreed to consider how the recommendations made in patient stories could be captured and action taken as a result. Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 5.8 ICB Finance Report for Month 8 1201. Transformation programmes Howard, Ian 11/03/2025 Pending Explanation action item Ian Howard agreed to coordinate a report to the Board in respect of the Trust’s contribution to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System transformation programmes. Page 1 of 2 Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 5.8 ICB Finance Report for Month 8 1202. ICB Finance Reports Douglas-Todd, Jenni French, David 11/03/2025 Pending Explanation action item The Chair and David French agreed to discuss the requests of the Board in the ICB Finance Reports with the Integrated Care Board’s chair. Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 5.10 Freedom to Speak Up Report 1203. Raising concerns of safety Byrne, Gail 11/03/2025 Pending Explanation action item Gail Byrne agreed to consider how Freedom to Speak Up can be used for its original purpose of raising concerns of safety. Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 5.13 Infection Prevention and Control 2024-25 Quarter 2 Report 1204. Trust Board Study Session Byrne, Gail 03/06/2025 Pending Explanation action item Gail Byrne agreed to include an item on infection prevention control at a future Trust Board Study Session to include details of an Australian study, point of care testing, and progress on the roll out of the Fundamentals of Care programme. Update: Item tentatively scheduled for TBSS on 3 June 2025. Page 2 of 2 Agenda item 5.1 Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 11 March 2025 Committee: Audit & Risk Committee Meeting Date: 20 January 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • The committee considered the accounting policies and management judgements in respect of the 2024/25 annual accounts, noting that most of these were consistent with previous years. It was further noted that a full re-valuation was due to take place this year in respect of the Trust’s property, plant and equipment, a process which occurs every five years. The impact of IFRS16 was also noted. The committee reviewed the Trust’s compliance with the Code of Governance for NHS Provider Trusts, noting that the Trust was compliant in all areas or had appropriate explanations for areas of non-compliance, of which there were only a few. These had also been areas of non-compliance during 2023/24. The committee received a report on cyber risk, including recent trends and the steps that both the NHS and the Trust were taking to counter the threat posed. The committee received updates in respect of the internal audit programme, including the reports in respect of an audit of the Fit and Proper Persons framework and of Data Quality. An update was provided in respect of the work of the counter-fraud team, including an update on the work being undertaken to manage the risk impersonation fraud by those pretending to be agency/temporary staff. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial N/A • All risks had been reviewed with the relevant executive director(s). • It was suggested that the BAF needed to more adequately reflect the Trust’s estate risk and the target date should be reconsidered. 7.3 Audit and Risk Committee Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Terms of Reference Substantial N/A • The committee reviewed its Terms of Reference, proposing to only make minor changes. • The committee recommended that the Board approve the revised Terms of Reference. Any Other Matters: • The committee received an update in respect of the tenders for internal and external auditors. Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Page 1 of 2 Limited Assurance No Assurance Not Applicable Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda item 5.2 i) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 11 March 2025 Committee: Finance and Investment Committee Meeting Date: 27 January 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • • • • • The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 9. The Trust’s financial position remained challenging with a £4.5m in-month and £22.7m year-to-date deficit recorded against a plan of £3.3m. Furthermore, the Trust’s cash position remained challenging. The underlying position had deteriorated during December 2024 due to lower than expected Elective Recovery income. In addition, there had been up to 500 Emergency Department attendances per day and circa 250 patients having no criteria to reside. The Trust was anticipating a year-end deficit of circa £35m once additional pay pressures had been taken into account. There were concerns that a cap would be applied to Elective Recovery funding based on month 8 figures. A significant proportion of the Trust’s undelivered Cost Improvement Programme related to non-delivery of system-wide transformation programmes. The Trust’s capital programme was £11.6m behind plan with £50.4m due to be spent during the remainder of the financial year. The committee received a report on the management of leases from an accounting perspective, noting that further work on reviewing leases was required. An update was received in respect of the annual planning and budgetsetting process, noting that no national planning guidance had yet been received. It was expected that 2025/26 would be challenging due to an anticipated real terms reduction in funding and possible cap on Elective Recovery funding. The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s project to optimise operating services as part of the Always Improving programme, noting good progress being made in this area. The committee received an update in respect of Digital, noting the progress being made in respect of system developments and laptop upgrades as well as the latest position regarding the proposed system-wide Electronic Patient Record system and the planned go-live for the new Emergency Department system in April 2025. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 7.4 Finance and Investment Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Committee Terms of Reference Substantial Low • The committee reviewed its Terms of Reference, proposing to only make minor changes. • The committee recommended that the Board approve the revised Terms of Reference. Any Other N/A Matters: Page 1 of 2 Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. No Assurance There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Not Applicable Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda item 5.2 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 11 March 2025 Committee: Finance and Investment Committee Meeting Date: 24 February 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • • The committee considered a draft of the Trust’s annual plan submission to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board. The draft plan identified significant financial challenges continuing from the underlying financial pressures reported during 2024/25. The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s inpatient flow programme, noting that whilst a 5% improvement in length of stay had been achieved, much of this had been offset by increased demand. The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 10 (see below). The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s cash position, noting that it appeared likely that additional revenue support would be required in the first quarter of 2025/26. The committee received an update regarding the Trust’s 2024/25 Cost Improvement Programme. The Trust had identified £89.3m of schemes and forecast delivery of £76.3m of improvements. The committee received an update on the Trust’s decarbonisation programme, including on proposals for installing heat pumps, solar panels and renewing/replacing infrastructure. The committee noted an update in respect of UHS Estates Limited, including the risk associated with the management of endoscopy scopes and their replacement. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial High • The Trust’s underlying monthly deficit was c.£6.5m. There was a year-to-date deficit of £15.2m, £11.8m behind plan. • The Trust had reported a £7.5m surplus during the month due to oneoff items. • The Trust was forecasting an year-end deficit of £17.65m following work to agree a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System ‘landing plan’ for 2024/25. • The Trust’s capital programme was £12m behind plan, with £39.3m due to be spent during the remainder of 2024/25. 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial N/A • Risks 5a, 5b and 5c have been updated, following discussions with the respective Executive Director(s). • It was proposed to extend the target date for risk 5a, but to include an interim target as at April 2026 between the current position and the ultimate objective of reducing this risk to 9. Any Other N/A Matters: Page 1 of 2 Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. No Assurance There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Not Applicable Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda item 5.3 i) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 11 March 2025 Committee: People & Organisational Development Committee Meeting Date: 24 January 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • • As forecast, the Trust’s workforce was seven whole-time-equivalents (WTE) above its plan at the end of December 2024. However, the total workforce had decreased by 90 WTE, owing to the impact of Christmas resulting in deferral of start dates until January 2025. It was forecast that the Trust would be 146 WTE above plan at the end of 2024/25, noting that the Trust had assumed a reduction of 220 WTE due to the impact of system-wide transformation programmes including Non-Criteria to Reside and mental health. The Trust was experiencing particularly high sickness levels due to the impact of seasonal illnesses. The committee received a presentation on the Trust’s internal leadership development programmes, including those relating to senior, operational, and emerging leaders as well as programmes targeted at under-represented groups. The committee received an update on staff health and wellbeing, noting that uptake for influenza and Covid-19 vaccinations was low at 50% and 30% respectively. The committee was updated on the status of the disputes with UNITE for Portering and with UNISON regarding Band 2 and Band 3 pay. The committee noted that the formal consultation in respect of transfer of staff to UHS Estates Limited had commenced. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) Not applicable. Any Other Matters: The committee noted that an action plan had been agreed with the porters and that the team had moved from Estates, Facilities and Capital Development to the Site team. Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. Page 1 of 2 No Assurance Not Applicable Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda item 5.3 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 11 March 2025 Committee: People & Organisational Development Committee Meeting Date: 24 February 2025 Key Messages: • • • • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 10 (see below). It was noted that January 2025 had been challenging, especially in terms of managing high levels of staff sickness due to seasonal illnesses as well as the impact of increased demand on the Trust’s services. Furthermore, the increasing number of patients requiring enhanced care placed further pressure on the Trust’s workforce numbers. It was expected that difficult decisions would be required to meet the financial and workforce expectations for 2025/26. As part of this, it would be necessary to ensure that quality indicators were monitored. In addition, the Trust will need to be focused on ensuring that staff still feel valued and supported to deliver the first class care they aspire to. This would
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Papers Trust Board - 7 January 2025
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Date Time Location Chair Observing Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 07/01/2025 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat/Microsoft
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Papers Trust Board - 9 September 2025
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Date Time Location Chair Apologies Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 09/09/2025 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education
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Papers Trust Board - 10 March 2026
Description
Date Time Location Chair Apologies Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 10/03/2026 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Jenni Douglas-Todd Steve Peacock 1 Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest 9:00 Note apologies for absence, and to hear any declarations of interest relating to any item on the Agenda. 2 Patient Story The patient story provides an opportunity for the Board to reflect on the experiences of patients and staff within the Trust and understand what the Trust could do better. 3 Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 13 January 2026 9:15 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 13 January 2026 4 Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions To discuss any matters arising from the minutes, and to agree on the status of any actions assigned at the previous meeting. 5 QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE Quality includes: clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee 9:20 Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer, for Chair 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance, Investment & Cash Committee 9:25 David Liverseidge, Chair 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:30 Committee Jane Harwood, Chair 5.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee 9:35 including Interim Maternity and Neonatal Safety Report Tim Peachey, Chair 5.5 Chief Executive Officer's Report 9:40 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 10:10 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Andy Hyett, Chief Operating Officer 5.7 Break 10:40 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 10:55 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 5.9 ICB System Report for Month 10 11:05 Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 5.10 People Report for Month 10 11:10 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer 5.11 Freedom to Speak Up Report 11:20 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Natasha Watts, Acting Chief Nursing Officer Attendee: Christine Mbabazi, Equality & Inclusion Adviser/Freedom to Speak Up Guardian 5.12 11:35 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report and Update on 10-Point Plan Review and discuss the report and update Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Diana Hulbert, Guardian of Safe Working Hours and Emergency Department Consultant 6 STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Corporate Objectives 2025-26 Quarter 3 Update 11:50 Review and feedback on the corporate objectives Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer Attendee: Martin de Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update 12:00 Review and discuss the update Sponsor: Natasha Watts, Acting Chief Nursing Officer Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors' (CoG) Meeting 29 January 2026 12:15 (Oral) Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair Page 2 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair's Actions Report 12:20 Receive and ratify the report In compliance with the Trust Standing Orders, Financial Instructions, and the Scheme of Reservation and Delegation. Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair 7.3 Audit and Risk Committee Terms of Reference 12:25 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer, for Committee Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7.4 Quality Committee Terms of Reference 12:30 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Tim Peachey, Committee Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 7.5 Remuneration and Appointment Committee Terms of Reference 12:35 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 8 Any other business 12:40 Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda 9 Note the date of the next meeting: 14 May 2026 10 Items circulated to the Board for reading 10.1 South Central Regional Research Delivery Network (SC RRDN) 2025-26 Q3 Performance Report Note the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer 11 Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Sponsor: Jenni Douglas-Todd, Trust Chair To agree, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust's Constitution and the Standing Orders of the Board of Directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. 12 Follow-up discussion with governors 12:45 Page 3 Agenda links to the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) 10 March 2026 – Open Session Overview of the BAF Risk 1a: Lack of capacity to appropriately respond to emergency demand, manage the increasing waiting lists for elective demand, and provide timely diagnostics, that results in avoidable harm to patients. 1b: Due to the current challenges, we fail to provide patients and their families / carers with a high-quality experience of care and positive patient outcomes. 1c: We do not effectively plan for and implement infection prevention and control measures that reduce the number of hospital-acquired infections and limit the number of nosocomial outbreaks of infection. 2a: We do not take full advantage of our position as a leading University teaching hospital with a growing, reputable, and innovative research and development portfolio, attracting the best staff and efficiently delivering the best possible treatments and care for our patients. 3a: We are unable to meet current and planned service requirements due to the unavailability of staff to fulfil key roles. 3b: We fail to develop a diverse, compassionate, and inclusive workforce, providing a more positive staff experience for all staff. 3c: We fail to create a sustainable and innovative education and development response to meet the current and future workforce needs identified in the Trust’s longer-term workforce plan. 4a: We do not implement effective models to deliver integrated and networked care, resulting in sub-optimal patient experience and outcomes, increased numbers of admissions and increases in patients’ length of stay. 5a: We are unable to deliver a financial breakeven position, resulting in: inability to move out of the NHS England Recovery Support Programme, NHS England imposing additional controls/undertakings, and a reducing cash balance impacting the Trust’s ability to invest in line with its capital plan, estates/digital strategies, and in transformation initiatives. 5b: We do not adequately maintain, improve and develop our estate to deliver our clinical services and increase capacity. 5c: Our digital technology or infrastructure fails to the extent that it impacts our ability to deliver care effectively and safely within the organisation, 5d: We fail to prioritise green initiatives to deliver a trajectory that will reduce our direct and indirect carbon footprint by 80% by 2028-2032 (compared with a 1990 baseline) and reach net zero direct carbon emissions by 2040 and net zero indirect carbon emissions by 2045. Agenda links to the BAF No Item Linked BAF risk(s) 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 10 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 5.9 ICB System Report for Month 10 5.10 People Report for Month 10 5.11 Freedom to Speak Up Report 5.12 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report and Update on 10-Point Plan 1a, 1b, 1c 5a 5a 3a, 3b, 3c 3b 3b Appetite (Category) Minimal (Safety) Current risk rating 4x5 20 Cautious (Experience) Minimal (Safety) 4x4 16 4x4 16 Open (Technology & Innovation) 3x4 12 Open (workforce) Open (workforce) Open (workforce) 4x5 20 4x3 12 4x4 16 Cautious (Effectiveness) 3x3 9 Cautious (Finance) 5x5 25 Target risk rating 4 x 2 Apr 6 27 3 x 2 Apr 6 27 2 x 3 Apr 6 27 3 x 2 Mar 6 27 4 x 3 Mar 12 30 4 x 2 Mar 8 30 3 x 2 Mar 6 29 3 x 2 Dec 6 25 3 x 3 Apr 9 30 Cautious (Effectiveness) Open (Technology & Innovation) Open (Technology & Innovation) 4x5 20 4x4 16 2x4 8 4 x 2 Apr 8 30 3 x 2 Apr 6 27 2 x 2 Dec 4 27 Does this item facilitate movement towards or away from the intended target risk score and appetite? Towards Away Neither x x x x x x Minutes Trust Board – Open Session Date Time Location Chair 13/01/2026 9:00 – 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Present Jenni Douglas-Todd, Chair (JD-T) Keith Evans, Non-Executive Director (NED) (KE) David French, Chief Executive Officer (DAF) Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer (PG) Steve Harris, Chief People Officer (SH) Jane Harwood, NED/Senior Independent Director and Deputy Chair (JH) Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer (IH) Andy Hyett, Chief Operating Officer (AH) David Liverseidge, NED (DL) Tim Peachey, NED (TP) Alison Tattersall, NED (AT) Natasha Watts, Acting Chief Nursing Officer (NW) In attendance Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary (CM) James Allen, Chief Pharmacist (JA) (item 5.12) Julie Brooks, Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control (JB) (item 5.11) Blue Cunningham, Patient Engagement & Involvement Officer (item 2) John Mcgonigle, Emergency Planning & Resilience Manager (JMc) (item 6.1) Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience (JM) (item 5.10) Julian Sutton, Clinical Lead, Department of Infection (JS) (item 5.11) 4 governors (observing) 5 members of staff (observing) 2 members of the public (observing) Apologies Diana Eccles, NED (DE) 1. Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting. There were no interests to declare in the business to be transacted at the meeting. It was noted that apologies had been received from Diana Eccles. The Chair provided an overview of meetings she had held and events that she had attended since the previous Board meeting. 2. Patient Story Blue Cunningham was invited to present the Patient Story on behalf of Jade […], whose nine-year-old daughter, Lucy, had had a bowel resection at the Trust. It was noted that: • Lucy was a very structured child, who relied heavily on planning and knowing outcomes as well as having sensitivities to lots of different sensory inputs. Page 1 • In their treatment of Lucy, staff paid particular attention to Lucy’s needs and adapted their behaviour and took the time to make Lucy’s stay in hospital as comfortable as possible. • This Patient Story clearly demonstrated the Trusts’ values and the time taken in the handling of Lucy by staff likely saved time and effort in the long run by not distressing the patient and then having to manage this situation. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 11 November 2025 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 11 November 2025, subject to reassigning action 1296 to James Allen. 4. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions The matters arising and actions were noted. • Action 1293: work had commenced on a broader MRI strategy. This work would be presented to the Quality Committee in due course – the action remained open. • Action 1294: this formed part of a larger piece of work, which would be addressed through the planning cycle. The action could be closed. • Action 1295: a solution had been developed, but the Trust was waiting on a third party to be able to implement the solution. The action could be closed. • Action 1296 was addressed as part of item 5.12 below. It was explained that the metric was based on day cases and national statistics and was intended to show usage levels of the most critical antibiotics. 5. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance, Investment & Cash Committee David Liverseidge was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Reports in respect of the meetings held on 24 November and 15 December 2025, the contents of which were noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had reported an in-month deficit of c.£5m and, at the end of November 2025, had reported a year-to-date deficit of £40m. • The committee had received an update in respect of the Trust’s theatres improvement plans, noting that there had been a 3% increase in utilisation and a 3% reduction in cancellations. • The committee had received a report on the Trust’s productivity based on the national framework and noted that further work was required to understand the metrics behind the national framework. • The committee had reviewed the Trust’s cash position and supported a proposal to request further cash support for January 2026. • The committee noted that whilst the Trust’s transformation plans were ambitious, they were nonetheless grounded in reality. • In its review of the proposed capital plans for 2026/27-2029/30, the committee noted the challenge of having to balance the Trust’s allocation of Capital Departmental Expenditure Limit (CDEL) with the cash available to the Trust. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s medium-term plan ahead of the first submission to NHS England on 17 December 2025. It was noted that the assumed reductions in patients with no criteria to reside and mental health Page 2 patients were those reasonably considered to be within the Trust’s control rather than reductions which were dependent on third parties. • The committee supported a proposal for transforming the Southern Counties Pathology network. 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development Committee Jane Harwood was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Reports in respect of the meetings held on 21 November and 15 December 2025, the contents of which were noted. It was further noted that: • Whilst there had been reductions in the size of the substantive workforce, this had been offset by an increase in temporary staff due to a combination of demand, sickness absence, patients with no criteria to reside, and mental health patients. • The committee noted changes with respect to statutory and mandatory training, which would facilitate ‘passporting’ between NHS organisations. • The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s Inclusion and Belonging strategy, noting that progress had been slower than anticipated due to available resource. It was further noted that the external political environment had also created additional challenges in this area. • The committee received an update regarding the Trust’s refreshed approach to violence and aggression, noting a greater willingness to take action against violent/abusive patients and members of the public. It was further noted that the communications accompanying the new approach would be key. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s performance against the ten-point plan for resident doctors, noting that the Trust was, subject to a few exceptions, in a good position. • Whilst the results of the Staff Survey were still under an embargo, early indications were that the participation rate was lower than hoped for. • The Trust’s seasonal vaccination campaign had been successful with over 50% of staff having been vaccinated against influenza. 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee Tim Peachey was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Report in respect of the meeting held on 24 November 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The committee noted that the Trust’s Complaints service, particularly Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS), was fragile. There was a backlog of c.500 emails due to resource constraints. • The committee noted that despite the financial pressure the Trust was under, it had sought to maintain staff numbers to ensure patient safety. A significant proportion of the reduction in staff during the year had been from administrative staffing groups. Whilst the Trust had successfully reduced the size of the clinical administrative workforce, it had not been possible to transform how this service was delivered through technical or other means. Therefore, there was a risk of bottlenecks due to insufficient administrative staff with the high level of demand falling on a smaller number of staff. • NHS England had launched changes to maternity care reporting with additional reporting requirements with the aim of developing national standards and approaches. • The committee had reviewed the Trust’s Maternity and Neonatal Safety report for the second quarter and noted that the Trust had demonstrated compliance with the requirements for the NHS Resolution Maternity Incentive Scheme. Page 3 5.4 Chief Executive Officer’s Report David French was invited to present the Chief Executive Officer’s Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • NHS England had published latest segmentation and league tables under the NHS Oversight Framework for Quarter 2. The Trust had fallen slightly from 48 out of 134 to 51 out of 134. The Trust remained in segment 5 due to being in the Recovery Support Programme. • The number of patients waiting over 65 weeks in October 2025 had resulted in the Trust entering Tier 1 for elective performance. However, since that time, the Trust had successfully reduced the number of patients waiting over 65 weeks to c.80, with a target to reduce this number to nil by the end of March 2026. • The Employment Rights Bill received Royal Assent on 18 December 2025. The Act included a number of changes which would impact the Trust. These changes were to be reviewed in detail by the People and Organisational Development Committee. • During further strike action by resident doctors between 17 December and 22 December 2025, the Trust had met the national target of maintaining 95% of activity. Roughly one-third of resident doctors had taken part in the industrial action, which compared favourably to other trusts – some had reported a participation rate of 80-90%. • University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust had been fined in connection with the death of a patient with severe mental health problems who had absconded from a ward at the trust and subsequently committed suicide. This case was pertinent for the Trust given the number of mental health patients currently being cared for at the Trust in the absence of a more appropriate setting. It was noted that the Trust’s policy was clear on the approach to be taken in the event of a similar situation to that faced by University Hospitals Sussex NHS FT. • On 2 January 2026, the Trust had been informed that its endoscopy service had had its accreditation renewed until 1 November 2026 following an annual review by the Royal College of Physicians’ Joint Advisory Group on Gastro- Intestinal Endoscopy. • Alison Tattersall had been appointed as the Trust’s second Nominated Trustee on the board of the Southampton Hospitals Charity. • The Trust’s department of clinical law – a service established to deal with clinical questions relating to regulatory and legal principles within the Trust – had been in existence for 16 years. 5.5 Performance KPI Report for Month 8 Andy Hyett was invited to present the ‘spotlight’ report in respect of Cancer waiting time targets, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • There had been an increase in referrals over recent years, but despite this increase, the Trust had maintained performance, particularly in respect of the 28-day faster diagnosis pathway. • Consideration was being given in terms of demographic groups to be targeted in view of the success of the Targeted Lung Health Check programme and its efforts to target particular sections of the population. • The main challenge in terms of improving performance was in terms of diagnostic capacity, including access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and other imaging services. Improving the diagnostics services remained a key priority, including development of a longer-term strategy for imaging. It was noted that MRI and computed tomography (CT) scan capacity in the UK was lower than that in comparable nations such as those in the US and EU. Page 4 • The Trust maintained a good relationship with the Wessex Cancer Alliance, which was an effective route for obtaining additional funding for cancer care. Action Andy Hyett agreed to provide Jane Harwood with further data regarding the stage at which cancer was diagnosed by socio-economic group. Andy Hyett was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s overall Referral To Treatment (RTT) waiting list for November 2025 had decreased by 0.9% and the Trust had made significant progress in reducing the number of patients waiting more than 65 weeks. • The number of patients waiting for diagnostics marginally increased, but the Trust had maintained its previous performance with c.80% of patients waiting under six weeks for the fourth month in a row. • The Trust’s performance against the four-hour emergency department target had improved by 5.8% since October 2025, achieving 60.4% in November 2025, which was above its in-year performance plan submitted at the beginning of 2025/26. The Board discussed the Performance KPI Report for Month 8. This discussion is summarised below: • In terms of the Trust’s RTT waiting list, it was forecast that there would be c.60,000 patients on this list by the end of March 2026 with performance against the 18-week target expected to be c.67%. • The Trust’s performance in respect of the number of mental health patients spending over 12 hours in accident and emergency was considered to be reflective of the need to admit mental health patients where there was no more appropriate venue available. This situation also gave rise to increased use of agency staff. A workshop had been held with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (HIOWH) and an action plan had been agreed. It was noted that HIOWH was also experiencing challenges in terms of its ability to discharge patients. • The reduction in the percentage of virtual appointments as a proportion of all outpatient consultations compared to 2024/25 was being looked at. • As of 13 January 2026, there were 295 patients with no criteria to reside – equivalent to 12 wards – at Southampton General Hospital. Work was ongoing to create wards specifically for this cohort of patients. It was noted that Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System was ranked 39 out of 42 in terms of its number of patients with no criteria to reside. 5.6 Break 5.7 Finance Report for Month 8 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had reported a £4.9m deficit for Month 8 (£40.8m deficit, year-to- date), which was in line with its Financial Recovery Plan. This in-month deficit had also been maintained for Month 9, with the year-to-date deficit increasing to £45.6m. • The Trust’s underlying deficit remained at c.£6m per month with continued high numbers of patients with no criteria to reside and mental health patients coupled with operational pressures. Page 5 • The Trust had carried out between £20m and £30m of unfunded work during the year and had incurred £10m-15m of costs associated with patients with no criteria to reside and mental health patients. • The Trust expected to deliver £90m of savings under its Cost Improvement Programme against its target of £110m. • The Trust had requested £8.4m of additional cash support for January 2026 and expected to require a further £3m of support in March 2026. 5.8 ICS System Report for Month 8 Ian Howard was invited to present the ICS System Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care System had reported a year- to-date deficit of £65m, which represented a variance of £36m from plan. It was noted that the Trust was a significant contributor to this variance, but that other organisations were also now reporting variances to plan. • The Trust had achieved the best ambulance handover time performance in the system, but further work was ongoing across the system with South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) to improve performance. 5.9 People Report for Month 8 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 8, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The overall workforce fell marginally during November 2025, with reduction in substantive staff of 52 whole-time-equivalents (WTE) being partially offset by an increase in temporary staff usage due to operational pressures and sickness absence. • The Trust remained above its 2025/26 plan by 214 WTE despite a decrease of nearly 400 WTE since 31 March 2025. In order to meet its Financial Recovery Plan, the Trust’s workforce needed to reduce by a further 137 WTE. • Sickness absence continued to increase with 4.2% being reported during November and 4.8% being reported for December 2025. • The 2025 Staff Survey had closed. It was noted that the results were expected to be challenging. • The Trust had hit its target of 58% of staff having been vaccinated against flu, which placed the Trust in the top 15 nationally and second in the South East. • There was a significant amount of work ongoing to refresh the Trust’s approach and policies in respect of violence and aggression, including policy changes, training and communications. 5.10 Learning from Deaths 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report Jenny Milner was invited to present the Learning from Deaths report for the second quarter, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust continued to benchmark well against other organisations. It was one of only 11 trusts nationally with a lower than anticipated mortality rate based on its summary hospital-level mortality indicator (SHMI) score. • The Medical Examiner Service had reviewed a total of 1,078 deaths, of which 36% had occurred at the Trust’s sites. • Patients with learning disabilities remained an area of concern, although progress was being made in this area. The Trust was one of only a few Page 6 organisations to hold separate meetings to discuss deaths of patients with learning disabilities. • The Trust had procured a system to support organisation-wide learning from Morbidity and Mortality outcomes. 5.11 Infection Prevention and Control 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report Julian Sutton and Julie Brooks were invited to present the Infection Prevention and Control report for the second quarter, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • For the period covered by the report (July-September 2025), the Trust had exceeded all measures in terms of the annual limits for incidences of bacteraemia. The Trust was in a similar position to other organisations nationally. • There had been two cases of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and 34 cases of Clostridioides difficile (C-diff) during the period. • There had been a focus on invasive device care management (such as cannulas and catheters) and on hand hygiene. • The Trust had successfully managed the Candidozyma auris outbreak, with only three new cases identified since the beginning of 2025, the last of which was identified in April 2025. 5.12 Medicines Management Annual Report 2024-25 James Allen was invited to present the Medicines Management Annual Report 2024/25, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s expenditure on medicines during 2024/25 was £215m, a 2% reduction compared to 2023/24 and was on track to spend only £207m during 2025/26. These reductions indicated that the strategy of using less expensive generic and biosimilar medicines had been effective in reducing costs. • The number of approvals for clinical trials and research activity had continued to improve. • The Trust had completed work to decommission nitrous oxide manifolds, which was expected to reduce the Trust’s nitrous oxide emissions by 600,000 litres per year, equivalent to 354 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. • An area of focus was the deployment of digital systems. Action Ian Howard agreed to look at the level of savings achieved in terms of medicines costs and how costs of medicines were budgeted for. 5.13 Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2025 Natasha Watts was invited to present the Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The report set out the results of the ward staffing review undertaken between July and October 2025. • There was a renewed national focus on safe staffing. • Overall, the Trust’s staffing establishments remain appropriate and within recommended guidelines. Page 7 • Continued high levels of enhanced care demand, a significantly more junior workforce, managing additional surge areas, and the impact of financial controls had been highlighted as ongoing challenges. 6. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 6.1 Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Jon Mcgonigle was invited to present the Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • NHS England required all trusts to complete an annual self-assessment against a number of core standards. In its assessment against 62 applicable core standards, the Trust was fully compliant with 56 and not yet fully compliant with 6 standards. • Of the areas where the Trust was not yet fully compliant, these related primarily to governance maturity, exercising and testing, workforce training consistency, and assurance evidence, rather than the absence of emergency response arrangements. • Since an initial report had been submitted to the Trust Executive Committee in November 2025, the Trust had completed development and approval of the Business Continuity Management System, completed the consultation and adoption of Protective Security and Emergency Lockdown arrangements, and had commenced consultation and system engagement for Evacuation and Shelter. • Training was scheduled to take place between February and May 2026 for on- call staff in charge. It was intended to hold a tabletop exercise during 2027. • It was noted that it had been some time since the Trust had practised a major incident response with other partners. • The Trust was on schedule to embed the ‘protect’ duty under the Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Act 2025 by March 2027. Action John Mcgonigle agreed to look at scheduling a major incident response exercise with other partners involved. 7. Any other business It was noted that the Trust had declared a critical incident on 10/11 December 2025 due to an IT system failure. It was noted that this was Keith Evans’ final formal meeting, as his second threeyear term as a non-executive director was due to expire on 31 January 2026. The Board expressed its thanks to Keith Evans for his service and support. 8. Note the date of the next meeting: 10 March 2026 Page 8 9. Resolution regarding the Press, Public and Others Decision: The Board resolved that, as permitted by the National Health Service Act 2006 (as amended), the Trust’s Constitution and the Standing Orders of the board of directors, that representatives of the press, members of the public and others not invited to attend to the next part of the meeting be excluded due to the confidential nature of the business to be transacted. The meeting was adjourned. Page 9 List of action items Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 11/11/2025 - 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 6 1293. MRI scanners and imaging Hyett, Andy 10/03/2026 Pending Explanation action item Andy Hyett agreed to work on and present at either a future Board meeting or Trust Board Study Session the Trust’s longer-term strategy with respect to MRI scanners and imaging. TB 13/01/26: work had commenced on a broader MRI strategy. This work would be presented to the Quality Committee in due course – the action remained open. Trust Board – Open Session 09/09/2025 - 8 Any other business 1286. Organ donation Machell, Craig Explanation action item Craig Machell agreed to add organ donation to the agenda of a future Trust Board Study Session. 16/04/2026 Pending Update: Item deferred to TBSS on 16/04/26. Trust Board – Open Session 15/07/2025 - 5.11 Freedom to Speak Up Report 1267. Data Mbabazi, Christine 10/03/2026 Pending Explanation action item Christine Mbabazi to include data from other mechanisms for reporting concerns in future Freedom to Speak Up reports. Page 1 of 2 Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 13/01/2026 - 5.5 Performance KPI Report for Month 8 1311. Cancer diagnosis Hyett, Andy 10/03/2026 Pending Explanation action item Andy Hyett agreed to provide Jane Harwood with further data regarding the stage at which cancer was diagnosed by socio-economic group. Trust Board – Open Session 13/01/2026 - 5.12 Medicines Management Annual Report 2024-25 1312. Medicines costs Howard, Ian 10/03/2026 Pending Explanation action item Ian Howard agreed to look at the level of savings achieved in terms of medicines costs and how costs of medicines were budgeted for. Trust Board – Open Session 13/01/2026 - 6.1 Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) 1313. Major incident response exercise Mcgonigle, John Hyett, Andy 10/03/2026 Pending Explanation action item John Mcgonigle agreed to look at scheduling a major incident response exercise with other partners involved. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.1 Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 10 March 2026 Committee: Audit & Risk Committee Meeting Date: 27 January 2026 Key Messages: Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) • The committee considered the accounting policies and management judgements in respect of the 2025/26 annual accounts, noting the impact of the review of the Modern Equivalent Asset valuation estimation methodology. This review was to ensure that the valuation reflects specialised assets based on a modern, functionally equivalent facility at an alternative location, rather than simply replicating the current buildings and equipment. • The committee received an update in respect of the work on the Trust’s interim accounts, noting that there had been significant improvements in terms of use and recording of manual adjustments, with an objective of further reducing the use of manual adjustments in future. • The committee noted the work undertaken to address the issues identified in the production of the 2023/24 and 2024/25 accounts. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s compliance with the Code of Governance for NHS Provider Trusts, noting that the Trust was compliant in all areas or had appropriate explanations for areas of non-compliance, of which there were only a few. • The committee received a report on compliance with the Trust’s Standards of Business Conduct Policy, noting that the level of declarations of interest had remained largely static and that further work would be required to review the Trust’s approach in this area. • The committee received updates in respect of the internal audit programme, including the reports in respect of an audit of cyber security and the Trust’s core financial systems. • An update was provided in respect of the work of the counter-fraud team. It was noted that the risk of temporary worker impersonation was a particular area of focus. In addition, the committee noted the work undertaken to review the Trust’s compliance with the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial N/A • All risks had been reviewed with the relevant executive director(s). • There had been no significant changes in ratings or target dates since the BAF had been last reviewed in October 2025. However, the committee challenged how realistic some of the target dates were on the basis that many of the actions required were reliant on third parties. • The committee suggested that the rating for risk 5c should be reconsidered in view of the increasing cyber risk. • It was noted that the actions from the internal audit on the Trust’s risk management maturity were on track. Page 1 of 2 Any Other Matters: 7.4 Audit and Risk Committee Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Terms of Reference Substantial N/A • The committee reviewed its Terms of Reference and no changes were proposed. • The committee recommended that the Board approve the revised Terms of Reference. N/A Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Limited Assurance Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. No Assurance There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Not Applicable Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.2 i) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 10 March 2026 Committee: Finance, Investment and Cash Committee Meeting Date: 26 January 2026 Key Messages: Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) • The committee received the Finance Report for Month 9. The Trust had reported an in-month deficit of £4.9m and continued to report in line with the Financial Recovery Plan. The Trust had also delivered £10.3m of savings under the Cost Improvement Programme during the month. The modern equivalent assets review had been completed, which delivered £3m of benefit during the month. • The committee carried out a deep-dive into the Trust’s underlying financial position, noting that there had been £15.8m of one-off adjustments and that the underlying deficit was £61.4m year-to-date. The monthly underlying deficit continued to be c.£6m and therefore the 2025/26 exit position was assessed to be £72m. • The committee received an update on the Trust’s medium term planning submission, noting that it was expected that the Trust would submit a non-compliant plan. There remained a significant gap between the level of performance required under the framework and the available funding and an absence of proposals from Specialised Commissioning. It was noted that the assumptions regarding noncriteria to reside numbers were based on factors within the Trust’s control, rather than those dependent on third parties. • The committee received an update on financial improvement, noting that the Trust was £4m behind its CIP plan for 2025/26, expecting to deliver £88m of savings by year end compared to the £110m target. The Trust was targeting £50m of CIP savings for 2026/27. Based on national data, the Trust had the tenth smallest opportunity for productivity savings. • The committee considered the Trust’s cash position as at 31 December 2025 and the forecast cash position for the remainder of the financial year. The Trust expected to require a further £2.9m of cash support in March 2026, which the committee supported. • The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s outsourced cleaning and catering services contract. N/A Any Other N/A Matters: Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Page 1 of 2 Reasonable Assurance Limited Assurance No Assurance Not Applicable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trust might not be able to fully meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. There is a significant risk that the Trust will not be able to meet its stated objectives and/or plans based on the information contained in the report considered by the committee. Where risk rating is not relevant. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.2 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 10 March 2026 Committee: Finance, Investment and Cash Committee Meeting Date: 23 February 2026 Key Messages: • • • • • • • • • The committee received the Finance Report for Month 10 (see below). The committee received an update in respect of the impact of the fire at Southampton General Hospital on 1 February 2026, including in respect of the actions being taken to restore the lost services and the Trust’s claims under the NHS Resolution Property Expenses Scheme and under its commercial insurance policy. The committee received an update following the submission of the Trust’s medium term plan on 12 February 2026, noting that the Trust’s current proposed deficit made it an outlier. There remained a significant gap between the level of funding available from commissioners and the performance required under the framework. The committee enquired as to the possible route to resolve and supported the view that pricing of activity needed to be set at a level which did not create an increasing deficit as it currently does in critical care areas. Following the external review recommendations, the committee look forward to a deeper dive into the drivers of the increases in the Trust’s cost base over the past 5-6 years as this has increased at a greater rate than activity levels. This is planned for the March 2026 meeting. The committee received an update in respect of the Always Improving programme, noting that the fire had prompted something of a re-think in terms of organisational and system fundamentals. It was noted that there had been changes in the Trust’s risk appetite in terms of management of patients having no criteria to reside and outpatient appointments. Sustaining the improvements in these areas was considered to be a key priority. The committee received a report on the roll out of the MIYA system in the Trust’s emergency department, which went live on 8 October 2025. It was noted that whilst there had been some initial impact on performance during the first weeks, this had been expected, and the issues appeared to have been largely resolved. The system had delivered improvements in clinical management and in terms of data analytics. The committee noted that the Trust had been awarded £39m in capital funding for 2025/26. It was noted that this was a significant amount of funding to be used during the final months of 2025/26 and that work was ongoing to secure this funding through placing of orders and other activity. The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s proposed tender for car parking services. The committee supported the proposals to obtain mobile endoscopy units to address the loss of the Trust’s endoscopy service in the fire on 1 February 2026. The committee noted proposals in respect of changes to NHS Property Services. Page 1 of 3 Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) Any Other Matters: 5.8 Finance Report for Month 10 Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial High • The Trust had submitted a revised forecast to NHS England of a deficit of £49.9m following a request for an ‘art of the possible’ reforecast. The Trust had since received additional funding, which reduced the 2025/26 forecast deficit to c.£45m. • The Trust had reported a year-to-date deficit of £44.8m, with the underlying monthly deficit remaining between £5.5-6m. The Trust expected additional one-offs during the final months, but there was significant risk associated with this. • The Trust was forecasting CIP delivery of £94m for 2025/26, with £78m achieved year-to-date. • Whilst there had been some increase in workforce numbers in December 2025 and January 2026, it was considered normal for this to occur during this period, however this was creating a deviation from the planned workforce numbers. This was explained as the result of the decision taken to address 65- and 52-week waits which had therefore impacted staff numbers. The resulting increased income from additional work had yet to register in the Trust's revenue numbers but was expected in February and March.. 6.2 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: N/A • Risk 5a remained the Trust’s highest-rated risk at 25 and the target date for reduction had been extended by six months due to continued uncertainty around the funding available during 2026/27 and the impact of the fire on 1 February 2026. • Risk 5b had been assessed following the fire, but it was considered that whilst there had been significant disruption, the event and subsequent activities had been well-managed and demonstrated the effectiveness of the Trust’s evacuation and business continuity plans. Accordingly, no changes were proposed to the rating. • There had been an increase in the rating of risk 5c, largely due to risks surrounding the age of the Trust’s digital infrastructure and uncertainty regarding the OneEPR programme. The committee reviewed the Trust’s cash position and forecast, and the committee supported the additional request to be submitted in February 2026 for cash support up to a maximum of £10m to be received in April 2026. The trajectory for cash support in 2026/27 was to be reviewed at the March 2026 meeting. Assurance Rating: Substantial There is a robust series of suitably designed internal controls in place upon Assurance which the organisation relies to manage the risk of failure of the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process, which at the time of our review were being consistently applied. Reasonable There is a series of controls in place, however there are potential risks that Assurance may not be sufficient to ensure that the individual objectives of the process are achieved in a continuous and effective manner. Improvements are required to enhance the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls to mitigate these risks. Page 2 of 3 Limited Assurance No Assurance Not Applicable Controls in place are not sufficient to ensure that the organisation can rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Significant improvements are required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of the controls. There is a fundamental breakdown or absence of core internal controls such that the organisation cannot rely upon them to manage the risks to the continuous and effective achievement of the objectives of the process. Immediate action is required to improve the adequacy and effectiveness of controls. Where assurance is not required and/or relevant. Risk Rating: Low Medium High Not Applicable Based on the report considered by the committee, there is little or no concern that the Trust will be unable to meet its stated objectives and/or plans. There is some concern that the Trus
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Last updated: 14 September 2019
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University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust
Tremona Road
Southampton
Hampshire
SO16 6YD
Telephone: 023 8077 7222
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