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Papers Council of Governors 20 July 2022

Description: Agenda attachments 1 CoG Agenda - 20.07.2022.docx Date Time Location Chair Agenda Council of Governors 20/07/2022 14
Url: /Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/2022-Trust-documents/Papers-Council-of-Governors-20-July-2022.pdf

University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust Constitution

Description: Read our constitution here.
Url: /Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/University-Hospital-Southampton-NHS-Foundation-Trust-Constitution.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 - 11 March 2025

Description: Date Time Location Chair Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 11/03/2025 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre
Url: /Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/2025-Trust-documents/Papers-Trust-Board-11-March-2025.pdf

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

Standing Financial Instructions

Description: These Standing Financial Instructions (SFIs) are issued for the regulation of the conduct of Trust members and officers in relation to all financial matters with which they are concerned.
Url: /Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Finance/StandingFinancialInstructions.pdf

Papers Trust Board - 30 January 2024

Description: Date Time Location Chair Apologies Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 30/01/2024 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat/Microsoft Teams Jenni Douglas-Todd Diana Eccles 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 Break 9:15 4 Minutes of Previous Meeting held on 30 November 2023 9:25 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 November 2023 5 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. 6 QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE Quality includes: clinical effectiveness, patient safety, and patient experience 6.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee (Oral) 9:35 Keith Evans, Chair 6.2 Briefing from the Chair of the Finance and Investment Committee (Oral) 9:40 Dave Bennett, Chair 6.3 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:45 Committee (Oral) Jane Harwood, Chair 6.4 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee (Oral) 9:50 Tim Peachey, Chair 6.5 Chief Executive Officer's Report 9:55 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 6.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 9 10:25 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 6.7 Finance Report for Month 9 10:55 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer 6.8 People Report for Month 9 11:15 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer 6.9 11:35 Break 6.10 Maternity Safety 2023-24 Quarter 3 Report 11:45 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Emma Northover, Director of Midwifery/Marie Cann, Maternity/Neonatal Safety Lead/Alison Millman, Safety & Quality Assurance Matron 7 STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 7.1 Corporate Objectives 2023-24 Quarter 3 Review 12:00 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 7.2 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 8 CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 8.1 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 Page 2 8.2 Review of Standing Financial Instructions 2023-24 12:25 Review and approve the SFIs Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer Attendee: Phil Bunting, Director of Operational Finance 8.3 Finance and Investment Committee Terms of Reference 12:30 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsor: Dave Bennett, Committee Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 8.4 Quality Committee Terms of Reference 12:35 Review and approve the Terms of Reference Sponsors: Tim Peachey, Committee Chair Attendee: Craig Machell, Associate Director of Corporate Affairs and Company Secretary 9 Any other business 12:40 Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda 10 Note the date of the next meeting: 28 March 2024 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 30/11/2023 9:00 – 13:00 Location Chair Present Microsoft Teams Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Dave Bennett, NED (DB) Gail Byrne, Chief Nursing Officer (GB) 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) Duncan Linning-Karp, Deputy Chief Operating Officer (DL-K) (for J Teape) Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer (IH) Femi Macaulay, Interim NED (FM) Tim Peachey, NED (TP) 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 5.12) Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager (LA) (item 6.2) Julie Brooks, Head of Infection Prevention Unit (JB) (item 5.13) Marie Cann, Maternity/Neonatal Safety Lead (MC) (item 5.9) 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 (CM) (item 5.15) John Mcgonigle, Emergency Planning & Resilience Manager (JM) (item 7.1) Alison Millman, Safety & Quality Assurance Matron (AM) (item 5.9) Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience (JM) (item 5.10) Emma Northover, Director of Midwifery (EN) (item 5.9) Danielle Sinclair, Deputy Emergency Planner (DS) (item 7.1) Julian Sutton, Interim Lead Infection Control Director (JS) (item 5.13) 1 member of the public (item 2) 5 governors (observing) 1 member of staff (observing) 5 members of the public (observing) Apologies Diana Eccles, NED (DE) Joe Teape, Chief Operating Officer (JT) 1. Chair’s Welcome, Apologies and Declarations of Interest The Chair welcomed attendees to the meeting. Tim Peachey informed the Board that he now sits on the combined Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust and Isle of Wight NHS Trust board, following the recent organisational changes. There were no further interests to declare in the business to be transacted at the meeting. Page 1 The Chair provided an overview of her activities since October 2023, including visits to hospital departments, meetings with peers and other key stakeholders. 2. Patient Story Karol Muir was invited to speak about her experience as a patient when she was diagnosed with neck and tongue cancer in early 2021. It was noted that: • Ms Muir’s experience was mixed with some poor experiences when given the diagnosis and by a staff member lacking compassion when addressing her claustrophobia. • In other instances, Ms Muir received a good service such as when a mask was being made for her radiotherapy and her experience on the acute oncology ward. • The Board acknowledged that kindness and compassion was very important. • The Board also noted that it was important to hear both good and bad aspects of patients’ experiences to enable the Trust to improve its services. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 28 September 2023 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 28 September 2023, subject to one minor amendment to item 5.2. 4. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions It was noted that all actions had either been completed or were not yet due. 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 provide an overview of the meeting held on 27 November 2023. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the Finance Report for Month 7 (item 5.5), much of which formed the basis of the Trust’s submission for the second half of 2023/24. • The committee examined the Trust’s capital re-prioritisation plans along with proposals for 2024/25 and 2025/26. • The Trust had identified £71.3m of Cost Improvement Programme schemes, which, when adjusted for risk, represented approximately £59m of savings. It was noted that the Trust was underweight in terms of recurrent savings. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s productivity on the basis of both the NHS methodology and a revised methodology, which took into account factors such as an appropriate rate of inflation. Under the NHS methodology, the NHS’s underperformance was 16% compared to 2019/20 and the Trust was 18% below that in 2019/20. However, under the revised model, the Trust was under-performing by only 6-7%. • The committee reviewed a proposal for an Integrated Care System-wide electronic patient record system. 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 provide an overview of the meeting held on 22 November 2023. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 7 (item 5.7). It was noted that the Trust’s substantive workforce continued to grow and whilst Page 2 agency use was under control, there had been an increase in use of bank staff, particularly due to demands in the Emergency Department, mental health nursing and staffing of surge areas. • It was noted that self-reporting of disabilities by staff and the rate of appraisals had both declined. • The initial indication in terms of the response rate to the staff survey showed a lower response rate than in previous years. 5.3 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 27 November 2023. It was noted that: • The committee reviewed the Trust’s quality indicators and noted that the rate of falls and infections gave rise to concerns about the application of fundamentals of care principles. It was considered possible that the different focus during Covid-19 was a possible contributory factor. • The Trust had reported an increase in the number of complaints, although much of this increase was due to a change in the criteria of what was deemed to be a complaint. • The committee reviewed the results of the Experience of Care survey. Although the national picture had worsened, the Trust’s position remained essentially as before. • The Trust’s approach to end-of-life care was generally very good, although consideration needed to be given to the delivery of mandatory training to all staff. • In view of the general election due to take place before the end of 2024, it was considered likely that the Trust would receive an increased number of Freedom of Information Act requests. 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: • The Chancellor of the Exchequer had delivered his autumn statement on 22 November 2023, and although there were no specific announcements concerning the health and care sector, there was an expectation of increased public sector productivity. It was noted that the Government had previously announced £800m of additional winter funding for the NHS, although this was mostly repurposed existing funding. • A proposed pay settlement for senior doctors was expected to be voted on by British Medical Association members. • The Care Quality Commission had commenced a roll out of its new single assessment framework in the South region. • The public hearings for module 2 of the UK Covid-19 Inquiry had commenced on 3 October 2023. • The Trust had identified 181 cases of lung cancer through the Targeted Lung Health Check Programme. The financial impact of this programme was difficult to quantify, as it had led to a higher surgical workload, but reduced need for chemo- and radiotherapy. Other conditions had also been discovered through the screening programme. 5.5 Performance KPI Report for Month 7 Duncan Linning-Karp was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 7, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • In terms of benchmarking against other trusts, the Trust was in the top quartile in all areas except one. Page 3 • There had been 23 breaches of the target for long-waiters. • The Trust was facing challenges in meeting the 31-day cancer treatment target due to increases in demand for radiotherapy and demand for prostate cancer treatment. The Board noted the spotlight on the Emergency Department. It was further noted that: • There had been a 17% increase in demand since 2019/20. • The Trust was targeting 76% of type 1 patients being seen within four hours, but this would be challenging and dependent on the General Practitioners (GPs) working at the Emergency Department and on a reduction in the number of patients with no criteria to reside. • The Trust was reviewing its processes to free up space and provide options to bypass the Emergency Department when individuals were referred by their GP. In addition, admission and discharge processes were also being reviewed. • It was noted that the GP ‘village’ in the Emergency Department would be insufficient on its own to reach the 76% target. • The biggest constraints in terms of performance were the speed of decisionmaking and the availability of beds. 5.6 Finance Report for Month 7 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 7, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had submitted to the Integrated Care Board its plans for the second half of the financial year, which anticipated a revised end-of-year deficit of £31.5m. • The Trust had a year-to-date deficit of £25m, although this was prior to receipt of anticipated additional funding for the costs of industrial action. • The Trust was consistently delivering above the ceilings agreed for services under ‘block’ contracts, which meant that the additional activity was unfunded. • The Trust’s Elective Recovery performance remained good, and the resultant funding received was £4.5m above the Trust’s plan. 5.7 People Report for Month 7 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 7, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The workforce grew by 93 whole-time equivalents during the month, and the total workforce was 270 over the plan submitted to NHS England. This increase was driven in particular by newly qualified nurses still within the supernumerary period, increased temporary staffing and a small increase in sickness absence. • Participation in the NHS staff survey was lower than that in previous years at around 40% compared to 55% during 2022/23. • Turnover and sickness rates remained lower than the Trust’s target levels. • There continued to be a high demand for mental health nursing staff, and it seemed likely that a system approach would be necessary to address this issue. 5.8 Break Page 4 5.9 Midwifery, Neonatal and Obstetric Anaesthetic Workforce Report Emma Northover, Marie Cann and Tim Peachey were invited to present the Midwifery, Neonatal and Obstetric Anaesthetic Workforce Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Oversight of the midwifery, neonatal and obstetric workforce was a requirement of the NHS Resolution Maternity Incentive Scheme. It was noted that the obstetric element of the report would be provided at the next Board meeting on 19 December 2023. • The workforce faced a number of challenges, particularly in terms of recruiting to specialisms where there was a national shortage, and that activity in the service was unpredictable. • The Trust had in place a number of strategies to recruit staff and was also focusing on growing its own workforce in terms of skills where these were unobtainable in the market. • There were staff shortages in both maternity and neonatal teams. The maternity team was on a trajectory to fill its current vacancies and the shortages in the neonatal team were to be addressed through upskilling the Trust’s own workforce. • There had been a significant increase in the number of elective caesarean births, possibly driven by reduced confidence on the part of the public in maternity services due to recent media stories. • Due to the nature of the Trust’s services, it received a high number of high-risk patients, which placed further demands on its capacity. 5.10 Learning from Deaths 2023-24 Quarter 2 Report Jenny Milner was invited to present the Learning from Deaths Report for Quarter 2, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • In-patient deaths had fallen by 10% compared to the previous year, with deaths below the national average. • Five cases had been referred to internal morbidity and mortality meetings. • The Medical Examiner’s Office and Bereavement teams had been moved into the same structure in order to reduce administration and to also reduce the number of calls to families. 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 Trust had been fined for the first time since 2016 due to seven breaches of the maximum 13-hour shift length. There was considered to be a possible issue with the handover process, which resulted in the breaches of shift duration. • Suggestions had been sought from staff in order to improve the Trust’s processes. Page 5 5.12 Medicines Management Annual Report 2022-23 James Allen was invited to present the Medicines Management Annual Report for 2022/23, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Over the course of the year, the Trust had improved its resilience in areas such as oncology pharmacy and had an increased focus on research. In addition, the aseptic site programme at Adanac Park was progressing. • The Trust was facing challenges in terms of its IT infrastructure and in filling clinical trials. • The next area of focus was to be on the storage of medicines. • There had been flooding in radio-pharmacology, but there had been minimal impact due to interventions undertaken and use of mutual aid. 5.13 Infection Prevention and Control 2023-24 Quarter 2 Report Julian Sutton and Julie Brooks were invited to present the Infection Prevention and Control Report for Quarter 2, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust continued to not meet the national standards for E-coli and C-Diff, although it compared reasonably well with comparator organisations. • Rapid gastro-intestinal testing continued to be of significant benefit in preventing norovirus outbreaks. • Respiratory testing time had increased, and the amount of time required for a person to be deemed a Covid-19 contact had been increased. • Approximately 50 patients had been impacted by a candida auris outbreak since March 2023. It was proving difficult to eradicate the source of the infections, and there was little understanding globally as yet of the pathogen. • The importance of adhering to fundamentals of care principles was emphasised, as there had been a number of preventable incidents due to poor hygiene practices. • The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board was focusing on overprescribing of antibiotics, particularly by GPs. 5.14 Annual Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2023 Rosemary Chable and Gail Byrne were invited to present the Annual Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2023, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • It was a requirement for the Board to undertake a systematic ward staffing establishment review. • The Trust’s staffing levels were generally in line with expectations and staffing numbers have improved due to the Trust’s success in recruiting new staff. However, the influx of new, less experienced members of staff was placing pressure on more senior members of staff. When challenged on how staffing requirements were determined, it was noted that this assessment was based on analysis of data from multiple sources along with professional judgement. Page 6 5.15 Freedom to Speak Up Report Christine Mbabazi was invited to present the Freedom to Speak Up Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Eighty-one cases had been raised in 2023/24. • Consideration was being given to publishing lessons learned from some of the Freedom to Speak Up cases on the staff intranet. • Additional support to line managers was also being examined such that staff were comfortable in approaching their managers, rather than utilising the Freedom to Speak Up process. • Some groups, such as junior doctors and some ethnic minorities, were generally less likely to engage with the Freedom to Speak Up process. • The Trust was recruiting more Freedom to Speak Up champions, especially from less engaged groups of staff. 6. STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Board Assurance Framework (BAF) Update The Board Assurance Framework Update was noted. It was further noted that the Board Assurance Framework was due to be discussed in detail at the Trust Board Study Session scheduled to take place on 19 December 2023. 7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Duncan Linning-Karp and John Mcgonigle were invited to present the paper, ‘Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response Delivery Group (EPRR-DG) – Assurance Report’, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s preparedness had been assessed within ten domains, covering 62 core standards and multiple performance indicators within each. • The Trust was fully compliant with 60 of the 62 standards and was therefore ‘substantially compliant’. • The main area for improvement was in preparedness for a mass evacuation of the hospital. The Trust was working through a scenario for a full evacuation. • The Trust was also non-compliant in the area of a mass casualty scenario, as there had been new guidance released in this area. Work was ongoing to align with this new guidance. • Training in incident management had been delivered to senior leaders. 8. Any other business There was no other business. 9. Note the date of the next meeting: 30 January 2024 10. Items Circulated to the Board for reading The item circulated to the Board for reading was noted. Page 7 11. 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 28/09/2023 6.2 Health and Safety Annual Report 2022-23 1041. Violence and aggression update Byrne, Gail Harris, Steve Machell, Craig 29/02/2024 Pending Explanation action item Gail Byrne, Steve Harris and Craig Machell agreed to schedule a further update in respect of violence and aggression at a future Trust Board Study Session. 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 6.5 David French, Chief Executive Officer 30 January 2024 Assurance Approval or reassurance Ratification Information X My report this month covers updates on the following items: • Operational Update • National Audit Office qualification of DHSC accounts • External Recruitment Status • South Hampshire College Group • DHSC Consultation on New Nursing Spine Pay Points • NHS Providers Governance Survey 2023 • Intensive Care Society’s 2023 National Awards 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 5 Operational Update January 2024 has been a very challenging month operationally for everyone within the Trust. Having safely navigated the period of industrial action by doctors in training between the 2nd and 8th January 2024, the Trust has experienced a period of heightened operational pressures which has seen record levels of patients within the hospital without criteria to reside (medically fit). These reached record levels on one day of 270 (over 25% of adult inpatient general acute bed base) coupled with significant infection outbreaks resulting in further wards closed (three at the time of writing) and closure of 23 bays across the wards. This in turn has caused a significant backlog of patients within the emergency department and has also sadly resulted in a significant increase in ambulance handover delays and queues within the adult emergency department footprint. The Trust has continued to manage these pressures as best as it can through hospital incident management arrangements and significant oversight of available beds and discharges daily. Unfortunately, the Trust has also had to cancel some elective operations due to lack of available beds despite all surge bed areas in the hospital being fully open. The Chief Nursing Officer has also implemented a number of enhanced infection prevention measures including wearing surgical masks in adult clinical areas and has also introduced temporary visitor restrictions to further limit the risk of spreading infection. Looking forward, the Trust continues to do all it can to respond to the current challenges and has invited the Emergency Care Intensive Support Team from NHS England to review its processes via an invited visit during January 2024. The Trust is also currently reframing its flow programme to focus on operational oversight. In addition, the Trust is rigorously eliminating all discharge delays within its control as well as continuing to work with community partners across health and social care to try and deal with the longer-term issues of capacity outside of the hospital. According to ‘Winter Watch’ published by NHS Providers, an overview of the situation in NHS England, during the week commencing 8 January 2024: • 93.3% of general and acute beds were occupied and 586 beds were closed due to diarrhoea and vomiting and norovirus. • A total of 90,294 patients arrived by ambulance, an increase of 25% compared to the previous year. • There was an average of 23,645 patients each day who no longer met the criteria to reside. Of these, over half (57.7%) remained in hospital. • An average of 49,039 staff were absent each day. National Audit Office qualification of DHSC accounts The NAO has qualified DHSC accounts for financial year 2022/23 due to the way in which the elective recovery fund (ERF) was administered. The Government established the ERF in 2022/23 to incentivise trusts to increase their activity after Covid-19. The money was paid to trusts and ICBs on the assumption targets would be met, but there were intended to be financial penalties if the activity goal (104% of 2019/20 baseline) was not met. However, the clawback mechanism was suspended over fears this would destabilise local systems, most of which were underperforming on their elective targets. As a result, local organisations were allowed to keep the funding, regardless of the number of patients they treated. Page 2 of 5 In their audit statement, NAO state “ERF was required to be ‘earned’ by integrated care systems hitting elective recovery targets. Where elective recovery targets were not met, the cash received by the department should have been returned to the consolidated fund.” NHSE’s 2022/23 accounts state: “The lower levels of elective activity were due to ongoing Covid19 pressures and longer lengths of stay, factors for which no additional funding had been provided. Therefore, we decided to allow providers to retain the elective funding to cover these costs, which the government has now deemed to be irregular.” UHS was one of only a handful of providers which achieved the ERF target of 104%; UHS achieved 108% whereas the average performance for the country was 97%. Of course, like all providers, UHS incurred the costs described in the NHS accounts for Covid-19 pressures and longer lengths of stay for which the ERF money was used to cover, but also incurred the costs of delivering additional elective activity which others did not. No income was received to cover the UHS cost of activity between 104% and the national average of 97%, whereas other providers were able to keep the money originally intended to fund the 104% target. We estimate the UHS cost of this 7% additional activity to be around £10m. The £10m cost of this activity has subsequently been ‘baked’ into the UHS baseline and is therefore a significant contributor to UHS’s current financial challenge and a strong headwind affecting the Trust’s ability to return to financial break-even. External Recruitment Status The Board is aware that following an update to the Trust’s forecasted headcount for 31 March 2024, additional recruitment controls were introduced on 22 December 2023 which remain in place. The executive team has been working through the detail of how the controls operate effectively but also with due regard to clinical quality and safety. One of the major challenges has been the dissonance between how it feels on the ground (busier than ever) and the explicit financial direction received from the Centre. This has been a fast-moving and dynamic situation and we will update the Board during the Board meeting on how we are navigating that challenge and how we are ensuring that clinical safety and quality is protected. South Hampshire College Group During January 2024, the Chief People Officer and Head of Education met the senior leadership team from the newly formed South Hampshire College Group (SHCG). This new organisation is the result of a merger between Eastleigh, Southampton City, and Fareham colleges, bringing together over 3,000 students across the area. The Trust will be working to create an overarching partnership with the group focused on growing vocational and entry-level opportunities for students into roles at the Trust (health-related, estates, business administration and digital). This supports the Trust’s People Strategy objectives of extending the diversity of our relationships with education providers to support a wider range of education to employment opportunities. It also supports the ambitions of the NHS long-term workforce plan, particularly around apprenticeship opportunities for non-graduate entry roles. SHCG can play an important role in the career promotion of the Trust, including working in partnership on industry placements. Senior leads from SHCG and the Trust will be meeting again in the Spring to take these activities forward. Department of Health and Social Care Consultation on New Nursing Spine Pay Points In May 2023, the government agreed a deal for the Agenda for Change (AfC) workforce through the NHS Staff Council. During negotiations, concerns were raised about how the AfC pay structure is affecting the career progression and professional development of nurses, and the direct impact that this is having on recruitment and retention. The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) Page 3 of 5 suggested that a separate pay spine for nursing staff could address these concerns. At present the same pay scales are used for all roles covered by Agenda for Change with banding (pay grade) determined through job evaluation. This call for evidence is being published to explore these specific concerns, to understand the benefits and challenges of a separate nursing pay spine, and to explore other potential approaches to addressing any issues identified. This exploration does not form part of the AfC deal that was agreed with the NHS Staff Council. The consultation is public and can be responded to as an individual (within or outside healthcare) or as an NHS organisation. The Trust will be participating in the consultation through evidence sessions being organised by NHS Employers and through its own written response. NHS Providers Governance Survey 2023 In September and October 2023, NHS Providers invited chairs, company secretaries and other corporate governance leads in NHS trusts and foundation trusts to complete a survey in relation to boards, their assurance committees and how trusts are developing in relation to the systems they are part of. The results of the survey were published on 15 December 2023. In summary: • 86% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the board has time to focus on key risks and issues, but the comments provided gave a clear sense that it can be challenging to prioritise and effectively cover everything. • Almost all respondents (99%) agreed or strongly agreed that the way the committees report to the board can provide it with assurance. • However, many respondents stated that space on agendas is under pressure, often attributing this to initiatives from the centre as well as new system and partnership-working related matters. This contributes to reduced bandwith for those producing and seeking to digest reporting and assurance information and putting pressure on the time available for effective discussion and scrutiny. • The pressures on executive directors were highlighted and there were concerns about too much detail coming through to boards and committees. • More than half of respondents (58%) said that their trust has associate non-executive directors, with the most common reason being developmental and to aid succession-planning. • Trusts’ experience in systems remains variable and whilst there has been some improvement, for the most part, the picture remains one of considerable variation. Of 36 comments in relation to this subject, 23 were critical of the way systems are working at present and a further eight said it was too soon to say. • Improvements were reported in relation to trust boards’ ability to influence the development of the systems they are part of, and in non-executive directors’ perceived confidence about their role and responsibilities in systems. • Only 20% of respondents expressed confidence about approaches to continuous improvement across systems and the lowest level of confidence was reported for how risk was managed across systems (12%, compared to 20% in the prior year). • 42% of respondents have a board member who is also a trust partner member on an Integrated Care Board, and chairs and governance leads were positive about the influence and access they felt having a board member in this role gave them. The full report can be read at: https://nhsproviders.org/resources/surveys/governance-surveyresults-2023 Page 4 of 5 Intensive Care Society’s 2023 National Awards The neuro-physiotherapy team, who work closely with the Trust’s Neuro Intensive Care Unit, were awarded ‘Team of the Year’ at the Intensive Care Society’s national awards. Footage of the award ceremony can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHPem9G_JGo (watch from 9 minutes 35 seconds in). I would like to congratulate the team on this achievement. Page 5 of 5 Report to the Trust Board of Directors Title: Agenda item: Sponsor: Author Date: Purpose Performance KPI Report 2023-24 Month 9 6.6 David French, Chief Executive Officer Sam Dale, Associate Director of Data and Analytics 30 January 2024 Assurance or Approval reassurance Y Ratification Information Issue to be addressed: 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: This report covers a broad range of trust performance metrics. It is (Clinical, intended to assist the Board in assuring that the Trust meets Organisational, regulatory requirements and corporate objectives. Governance, Legal?) Risks: (Top 3) of carrying out the change / or not: This report is provided for the purpose of assurance. Summary: Conclusion and/or recommendation This report is provided for the purpose of assurance. Page 1 of 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 Performance KPI Board Report Covering up to December 2023 Sponsor – David French, Chief Executive Officer Author – Sam Dale, Associate Director of Data and Analytics Page 2 of 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 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 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 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 earlier timing of the December 2023 Board, at the time of publishing last months’ report several of the validated IPR data points were not yet available but have now been updated within this report. • 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) • 36 - Patients waiting for diagnostics • 37 - % of patients waiting over 6 weeks for diagnostics Other changes of note within the report include: • 7 –MRSA bacteraemia: A correction in the November 2023 data, which was reported as 1 case, but on review has been changed to 2 cases. • 13 – Serious Incidents Requiring Investigation: As part of the move to the new Patient Safety Incident Response Framework (PSIRF) from October 2023, the metrics have removed the reporting of SIRIs, although Patient Safety Incident Investigations (PSII) are still being reported in this measure. • 38 – Cancer 2 Week Wait: In December 2023 NHS England stopped publishing 2 week wait data. Benchmark data is available for the period up until October 2023 for other hospitals. UHS will continue to publish our own performance against this metric. • 41 / 42 – Cancer 31 Day Performance / Cancer 31 Day Subsequent Treatment performance: From December 2023, NHS England measurement methodology changed, and published data from October 2023 onwards for 31 Day Cancer Performance combines both First and Subse quent treatment performance. As a result, metric 42 (Cancer 31 Day Subsequent Treatment) has been removed. Page 4 of 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 Summary This month’s spotlight covers Cancer performance. It highlights how UHS has seen improving levels of performance against the three new national cancer metrics, and the interventions that have been made to improve performance despite the ongoing challenges of increased demand. Detail is also provided by tumour site, outlining the specific challenges and actions taken by Care Groups to address performance. Areas of note in the appendix of performance metrics include: 1. As outlined within the Cancer spotlight, our increased focus on Cancer performance has led to significant improvements in 2 Week Wait performance (increasing to 88.9% in November 2023), UHS being in the top three teaching hospitals for 62 Day performance, and being the top teaching hospital for 28 Day Faster Diagnosis for the last three months – with an improvement in performance to 85.4%. 2. The Emergency Department (ED) four hour performance saw a small improvement in performance in December 2023 to 58.0%, although this remains below our H2 recovery ambitions. The GP programme has also led to some diversions away from the department which might otherwise have further improved performance. However, ED performance continues as a national issue, as illustrated by UHS remaining within the top quartile of teaching hospitals. 3. We have seen a further increase in the number of patients not meeting the Criteria to Reside in hospital which remains extremely high at an average of 203 patients through December 2023 – even though we would normally see a reduction over the Christmas period. 4. A positive ongoing reduction in the proportion of patients being readmitted within 28 days of discharge continues, with this standing at 10.6%. 5. There was a second consecutive month in the reduction of the waiting list to just over 58,000 patients. However, this remains significantly higher than pre-COVID, and there is often a softening of demand over the Christmas period. 6. We have also seen a continued reduction in the Diagnostic waiting list, which now stands at under 8,000 patients. The size of this waiting list is now broadly in line with pre-COVID levels, although the proportion of patients breaching the six week diagnostic standard is still higher. Ambulance response time performance The latest unvalidated weekly data is provided by the South Coast Ambulance Service (SCAS). Due to the significant challenges within the ED department, and the wider challenge with flow experienced in the trust since the New Year, we have seen an increase in handover times. In the week commencing 15 January 2024, our average handover time was 22 minutes 38 seconds across 675 emergency handovers, and 32 minutes 26 seconds across 35 urgent handovers. There were 73 handovers over 30 minutes, and 44 handovers taking over 60 minutes within the unvalidated data. Page 5 of 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 Spotlight Spotlight: Cancer performance 1. Introduction Cancer is a large basket of disparate diseases across every organ and tissue type of the body, unified by its biology in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body. These cancerous diseases have very different treatments and prognoses. The other uniting factor underlying this name is that for many patients the word cancer generates significant anxiety and fear and recognising this, UHS works hard to provide the most streamlined service that we can offer to patients referred to our service. UHS is one of 12 regional cancer centres in the UK offering treatment for rare and complex cancers as well as children's cancer and brain cancer. We offer a wide range of treatments including novel therapies. UHS has historically benchmarked in the upper quartile, relative to our teaching hospital peers. We continue to perform well against the 28 day faster diagnosis and 62 day standards, but face challenges in meeting the 31 day standard. Recovery plans are in place focusing on the three key areas affecting this standard, radiotherapy, prostate surgery and skin (plastics). More d etail follows below. We continue to monitor cancer performance through regular performance meetings. However, there is an ongoing risk, with many tumour sites dependant on relatively few individuals to deliver, meaning that unexpected or unplanned absences can quickly affect performance. 2. Changes to Cancer Waiting Time Standards (CWT) In August 2023, NHS England received government approval to implement changes to the cancer waiting times standards from 1 October 2023. These changes were the outcome of a long term consultation which had the full support of NHS staff, patient groups and cancer. The proposed standards are in line with recommendations made by the Independent Cancer Taskforce in 2015 and the subsequent clinical review which was started in 2018. The three new standards (detailed below) are aligned to the requirements of modern cancer care, with a greater focus on outcomes and ensuring equitable access to care. The new treatment standards will measure waiting time for all patients regardless of their route into the system, rather than just those who were urgently referred by their GP. 1. The 28-day faster diagnosis standard (FDS). Patients with suspected cancer who are referred for urgent cancer checks from a GP, screening programme or other route should be diagnosed or have cancer ruled out within 28 days 2. A 62-day referral to treatment standard. Patients who have been referred for suspected cancer via any route and go on to receive a diagnosis should start treatment within 62 days of their referral. Page 6 of 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 Spotlight 3. A 31-day decision to treat to treatment standard. Patients, regardless of how they came to be diagnosed with cancer, should receive their treatment within a month of a decision to treat their cancer. These changes will still set the same high-performance bar for the same groups of patients as were covered by the previous standards and will increase the number and proportion of patients covered by the standards. They are designed to focus on two clear goals: achieving the fastest possible diagnosis, and for those who are diagnosed and require treatment, ensuring they receive treatment as quickly as possible. The new standards will also put all patients on a level playing field, regardless of the origin of their referral. Trusts do not need to make significant changes in terms of their data submissions – the only change of note in terms of overall process will be their reporting of performance against the 62-day standard to include patients who’ve entered cancer pathways via screening or consultant upgrades as well as those who were referred by their GP. In this paper, we explore early performance against the national targets in place for each of the new standards, UHS position compared to comparator Trusts and an exploration of the drivers and actions in place to improve performance for key tumour sites. 3. Cancer Referral Volumes At the start of the 2023 calendar year, the Trust experienced a 3000 period of significant volatility on cancer referrals which reached a five year high when 2,524 referrals were received in June 2023. 2500 2000 This high volume of referrals has remained since, but with some stabilisation of the monthly variance seen in the first half of the 1500 year. As expected, the festive period sees a reduction with 1000 December 2023 at 1,774. Despite this levelling off in recent 500 months, the referral volumes in 2023 averaged at 2,213 per month which overall is 7% higher than 2022 and 21% higher than 0 the 2021 calendar year. Ja n-22 Fe b -22 Ma r-22 Apr-22 Ma y-22 Jun-22 Jul -22 Aug-22 Se p -22 Oct-22 Nov-22 D e c-22 Ja n-23 Fe b -23 Ma r-23 Apr-23 Ma y-23 Jun-23 Jul -23 Aug-23 Se p -23 Oct-23 Nov-23 D e c-23 2022 2023 Graph 1: Cancer referral volumes by month Page 7 of 29 Report to Trust Board in January 2023 Spotlight 3,000 2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Au g Sep Oct Nov Dec 2020 2021 2022 2023 Graph 2: Cancer Referrals – historic monthly comparison 4. Overall cancer waiting list (PTL) and patients waiting over 62 days (backlog) The overall waiting list size is heavily dependent on the number of two week wait referrals and the speed of seeing these patients, as the large majority of patients will leave the cancer waiting list at the point of being told that they don’t have cancer. Throughout
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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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Papers Trust Board - 13 January 2026

Description: Date Time Location Chair Apologies Agenda Trust Board – Open Session 13/01/2026 9:00 - 13:00 Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Jenni Douglas-Todd Diana Eccles 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 11 November 2025 9:15 Approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 11 November 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 Finance, Investment & Cash Committee 9:20 David Liverseidge, Chair 5.2 Briefing from the Chair of the People and Organisational Development 9:30 Committee Jane Harwood, Chair 5.3 Briefing from the Chair of the Quality Committee 9:40 including Maternity and Neonatal Safety 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report Tim Peachey, Chair 5.4 Chief Executive Officer's Report 9:50 Receive and note the report Sponsor: David French, Chief Executive Officer 5.5 Performance KPI Report for Month 8 10:20 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Andy Hyett, Chief Operating Officer 5.6 11:00 5.7 11:15 5.8 11:25 5.9 11:30 5.10 11:45 5.11 11:55 5.12 12:05 5.13 12:15 6 6.1 12:25 7 12:35 8 Break Finance Report for Month 8 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer ICB System Report for Month 8 Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Ian Howard, Chief Financial Officer People Report for Month 8 Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Steve Harris, Chief People Officer Learning from Deaths 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: Jenny Milner, Associate Director of Patient Experience Infection Prevention and Control 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Natasha Watts, Acting Chief Nursing Officer Attendees: Julian Sutton, Clinical Lead, Department of Infection/Julie Brooks, Deputy Director of Infection Prevention and Control Medicines Management Annual Report 2024-25 Receive and discuss the report Sponsor: Paul Grundy, Chief Medical Officer Attendee: James Allen, Chief Pharmacist Annual Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2025 Discuss and approve the review Sponsor: Natasha Watts, Acting Chief Nursing Officer CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) Review and discuss the report Sponsor: Andy Hyett, Chief Operating Officer Attendee: John Mcgonigle, Emergency Planning & Resilience Manager Any other business Raise any relevant or urgent matters that are not on the agenda Note the date of the next meeting: 10 March 2026 Page 2 9 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. 10 Follow-up discussion with governors 12:45 Page 3 Agenda links to the Board Assurance Framework (BAF) 13 January 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) 5.5 Performance KPI Report for Month 8 5.7 Finance Report for Month 8 5.8 ICB System Report for Month 8 5.9 People Report for Month 8 5.10 Learning from Deaths 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report 5.11 Infection Prevention and Control 2025-26 Quarter 2 Report 5.12 Medicines Management Annual Report 2024-25 5.13 Annual Ward Staffing Nursing Establishment Review 2025 6.1 Annual Assurance for the NHS England Core Standards for Emergency Preparedness, Resilience and Response (EPRR) 1a, 1b, 1c 5a 5a 3a, 3b, 3c 1b 1c 1b 1b, 3a 1b 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 3x4 12 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 x x x Minutes Trust Board – Open Session Date 11/11/2025 Time 9:00 – 13:00 Location Conference Room, Heartbeat Education Centre Chair Jenni Douglas-Todd (JD-T) Present 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) 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) Lauren Anderson, Corporate Governance and Risk Manager (LA) (item 6.2) Martin de Sousa, Director of Strategy and Partnerships (MdS) (item 6.1) Lucinda Hood, Head of Medical Directorate (LH) (item 5.13) Diana Hulbert, Guardian of Safe Working Hours and Emergency Department Consultant (DH) (item 5.12) Vickie Purdie, Head of Patient Safety (VP) (item 7.3) Kate Pryde, Clinical Director for Improvement and Clinical Effectiveness (KP) (item 5.13) Scott Spencer, Health and Safety Advisor (SS) (item 7.3) 4 governors (observing) 2 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. It was noted that no apologies had been received. The Chair provided an overview of meetings she had held and events that she had attended since the previous Board meeting. 2. Patient Story Item deferred to the next meeting. 3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 9 September 2025 The draft minutes tabled to the meeting were agreed to be an accurate record of the meeting held on 9 September 2025, subject to a minor correction at 5.10. Page 1 4. Matters Arising and Summary of Agreed Actions The matters arising and actions were noted. • Actions 1281, 1283 and 1284 were closed. • Action 1282 was to be addressed through item 5.6 below. • In respect of action 1285, the Quality Committee would monitor progress on complaints response times. 5. QUALITY, PERFORMANCE and FINANCE 5.1 Briefing from the Chair of the Audit and Risk Committee Keith Evans was invited to present the Committee Chair’s Report in respect of the meeting held on 13 October 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • In terms of the internal audit reports, which had been received by the committee, whilst there were a number of points for the Trust to address, no areas of significant concern had been identified. • There was a focus on ‘imposter fraud’ whereby individuals who had turned up to carry out a shift were not who they claimed to be. Whilst there had been no reported incidents at the Trust, the Trust had implemented controls at the ward level, which would be subject to testing during 2025/26. 5.2 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 22 September and 3 November 2025, the contents of which were noted. It was further noted that: • In September 2025, the Trust had reported that it was in line with its Financial Recovery Plan. Of the £110m Cost Improvement Programme (CIP) target, 76% had been fully developed. • The committee had reviewed the Finance Report for Month 6 (item 5.8), noting that the Trust had reported an in-month deficit of £5.4m, which was in line with the Financial Recovery Plan. • The committee had expressed concern that 17% of the CIP target was not fully developed and that the Trust was £2.5m off-track in terms of delivery of the target at Month 6. • Whilst progress had been made in terms of addressing patients with no criteria to reside and mental health patients, this remained an area of concern. • The committee considered the NHS England Medium Term Planning Framework, noting that the first submission by the Trust was due prior to Christmas 2025. 5.3 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 22 September and 3 November 2025, the contents of which were noted. It was further noted that: • There continued to be little improvement in terms of the number of patients with no criteria to reside or mental health patients, which impacted staffing numbers. • The Trust was adopting a harder line in respect of its approach to violence and aggression, which included a greater willingness to exclude individuals. • The current participation rate in the Staff Survey was lower than the national average, which was likely indicative of staff morale and engagement. Page 2 • The Trust’s workforce numbers remained above plan, with limited options available to address this issue, especially in the absence of funding for restructuring costs. 5.4 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 13 October 2025, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The committee received an update in respect of mental health patients, noting that although there were significant issues in the Emergency Department, the whole pathway for these patients remained a problem. • The committee carried out a six-monthly review of the Trust’s progress against its Quality Priorities, noting that good progress had been made on four of the six priorities and two were slightly behind. 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: • NHS England had published the Medium Term Planning Framework, which was intended to encourage organisations to think beyond a 12-month time horizon and to progress the NHS 10-Year Plan. The Trust was expected to provide its first submission prior to Christmas 2025, but the detailed planning assumptions had yet to be received from NHS England. It was noted that a more detailed report on the Medium Term Planning Framework was to be received as part of the closed session of the meeting. • The Strategic Commissioning Framework had been published by NHS England, which provided welcome clarifications about the future role of integrated care boards. • The Trust had been placed into Tier 1 for both Urgent and Emergency Care and for Elective performance. There was a national expectation that trusts would have no patients waiting over 65 weeks for elective care by 21 December 2025. Where organisations had more than 100 such patients at the end of October 2025, they had been placed into Tier 1. The Trust was taking steps, including mutual aid, to attempt to address the number of long waiters, but there was insufficient capacity in the system. • Resident doctors were due to strike for a further five-day period commencing on 14 November 2025, having rejected the Government’s latest offer to resolve the ongoing dispute with the British Medical Association. • The Hampshire and Isle of Wight Integrated Care Board and NHS England South East Region had carried out a visit to the Trust’s paediatric hearing services in May 2025. The report, received in October 2025, had been positive about the service. • The Trust and the University of Southampton had been awarded £16.3m by the National Institute for Health and Care Research. The Trust was one of only four organisations out of 15 applications to receive an award. • The NHS Business Services Authority had announced the award of a £1.2bn contract to Infosys to deliver a new and enhanced workforce management system for the NHS to replace the existing Electronic Staff Record system. The 2030 target date for implementation was considered ambitious. Further details would be considered by the People and Organisational Development Committee when available. Page 3 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 6 Andy Hyett was invited to present the ‘spotlight’ report in respect of Diagnostics, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Diagnostics performance was a key element of the pathway, as delays in diagnosis had a consequential impact on the overall length of pathways such as those for cancer and patients on a Referral To Treatment pathway. • Although there were some concerns with Diagnostics in the Trust, the Trust, generally, performed better than other organisations. The Board discussed the matters raised in the Diagnostics ‘spotlight’. This discussion is summarised below: • There had been a long-standing issue with waiting times for cystoscopy due to insufficient capacity. However, a plan was being developed to improve the situation, although it was considered appropriate that the plan should also address broader issues with urology as a whole. • There was concern regarding the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners, particularly as two scanners were out-of-action. It was noted that the current set-up in terms of MRI scanners was not fit for the longer term and a strategy for the future needed to be developed. • There was a disparity between capacity and demand in respect of the neurophysiology service, as this service had previously relied on outsourcing. • Generally, activity was increasing, but overall performance appeared to be declining. There was also the additional financial challenge that Diagnostics was funded under a ‘block’ contract arrangement which did not fully take into account the demand for these services. • There were concerns about the electrical supply capacity at the Southampton General Hospital site and the ability of the Trust to expand its Diagnostic capacity with this limitation. It was considered that a better longer-term model would be for scanners at local community diagnostics centres. Actions 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. Andy Hyett agreed to develop a longer-term plan for cystoscopy/urology and to report back to the Board during Quarter 4. Andy Hyett agreed to develop a long-term solution to the neurophysiology service. Andy Hyett was invited to present the Performance KPI Report for Month 6, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust’s Emergency Department had recorded performance of 67.6% against the four-hour standard during September 2025. The department remained busy with c.450 patients and 120 ambulance attendances per day. • There had been some initial performance impacts with the roll out of the MIYA system in the Emergency Department, but this appeared to have now been addressed with performance up to previous levels. • A number of initiatives were being introduced into the Emergency Department in order to improve performance. These included the layout of the service, pathway re-designs, having General Practitioners in the department, and arranging with non-urgent patients to attend at a scheduled time rather than waiting in the department. Page 4 • In October 2025, the Trust had recorded 363 patients waiting over 65 weeks on a Referral To Treatment pathway against a national target of no such patients by the end of December 2025. • The Trust was making use of the independent sector, weekend working, and was requesting capacity from other providers to address the number of patients waiting over 65 weeks. • The planned industrial action by resident doctors posed a challenge, noting that the national expectation was that trusts maintain 95% of their capacity during this period. It was noted that, in contrast to previous instances of industrial action, resident doctors were apparently less forthcoming in terms of whether they intended to participate in the industrial action. • The Trust continued to report one of the lowest Hospital Standardised Mortality Rates in England. • The Trust’s cancer performance, based on a BBC article, was 21 out of 121 trusts. It was noted that whilst the number of patients being referred on a cancer pathway had increased significantly, the number of patients diagnosed with cancer had not materially changed. • There appeared to have been an increase in the number of pressure ulcers and ‘red flag’ incidents. Work was ongoing to address the findings of the pressure ulcer audit which had been presented to the Quality Committee on 2 June 2025. • The number of patients having no criteria to reside and mental health patients remained high. Actions Andy Hyett agreed to clarify the basis of the calculation of the ‘Watch & Reserve antibiotics usage per 1,000 adms’ metric. 5.7 Break 5.8 Finance Report for Month 6 Ian Howard was invited to present the Finance Report for Month 6, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The Trust had submitted its Financial Recovery Plan to NHS England in August 2025, which committed to an additional £23m improvement in the Trust’s financial position to deliver a full-year position of a £54.9m deficit. In the absence of these additional improvements, the Trust had been forecasting a year-end position of a £78m deficit. The revised target was subject to a number of assumptions, including the need for demand management and improvements in non-criteria to reside and mental health patient numbers. • There were a number of risks to the achievement of the Financial Recovery Plan, including whether there would be improvements in mental health and non-criteria to reside and/or steps taken to manage demand, high levels of activity, and whether it would be possible to reduce the workforce and close theatres. The need for the Trust to focus on achieving the 65-week wait target in particular could impact the Trust’s ability to close capacity. • The Trust had reported an in-month deficit of £5.4m (£30.8m year-to-date), which was in line with the trajectory set out in the Financial Recovery Plan. The Trust’s underlying deficit had seen some marginal improvement during the period. • The Trust’s cash position remains an area of significant concern. Cash requests had been made to NHS England, but the latest request for November 2025 had been rejected. It was therefore likely that the Trust would need to manage its supplier payments in accordance with its available cash. Page 5 5.9 ICS System Report for Month 6 Ian Howard was invited to present the ICS System Report for Month 6, 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 £48m. • A significant improvement in the run-rate would be required for the system to be able to deliver its 2025/26 plan. • The system was one of the worst in England in terms of the number of beds occupied by patients having no criteria to reside with approximately 23% of beds being occupied by such patients compared with a national average of 12%. • The system was also below plan in terms of its targets for access to General Practitioners and targets relating to mental health patients. It was noted that the performance in these areas had a consequential impact on the Trust’s performance in areas such as urgent and emergency care performance. 5.10 People Report for Month 6 Steve Harris was invited to present the People Report for Month 6, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The overall workforce fell by 73 whole-time-equivalents (WTE) during September 2025 and was reported as being 54 WTE above the Trust’s 2025/26 plan. The reduction in workforce had been driven through a combination of the impact of the recruitment controls, mutually agreed resignation scheme (MARS) leavers, and a significant drop in use of temporary staff during the month. • On 15 October 2025, the Trust had heard the collective grievance brought by the Royal College of Nursing in respect of the removal of enhanced NHS Professionals rates. It was decided not to reverse the decision in order to maintain equity with the rest of the workforce and consistency across other local providers. A number of actions had been agreed following the hearing. • Sickness rates had increased to 3.8%, although the Trust still benchmarked well against peers. • There were concerns about the potential impact of influenza during the winter period and therefore the Trust was taking a number of actions to promote vaccination of staff. The Trust was currently third in terms of uptake in the Region. • The level of participation in the national Staff Survey remained a challenge with only 32% of staff having completed the survey compared with a national average of 38%. It was considered likely that the recent difficult decisions taken and the impact on staff was impacting staff experience and engagement. • The People and Organisational Development Committee would be examining statutory and mandatory training levels together with the latest proposed national changes. Page 6 5.11 NHSE Audit and review of 'Developing Workforce Safeguards' including UHS Self-Assessment Return Natasha Watts was invited to present the NHS England audit and review of ‘Developing Workforce Safeguards’ (2018), including the Trust’s Self-Assessment Return, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • ‘Developing Workforce Safeguards’ was published in October 2018 and included a range of standards to assure safe staffing across the workforce. NHS England had initiated an audit, review and improvement plan amidst concern about a national reduction in compliance. • The Trust had submitted a self-assessment as part of this NHS England review. This assessment showed that the Trust continued to comply with the majority of the standards. • The audit exercise has been used as an opportunity to identify opportunities for improvement. Twelve recommendations have been developed, of which nine were assessed as ‘green’ and three as ‘amber’. 5.12 Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report and Update on 10-Point Plan Diana Hulbert was invited to present the Guardian of Safe Working Hours Quarterly Report and Update on the 10-Point Plan, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Resident doctors were due to strike for five days from 14 November 2025. This would be the thirteenth strike in recent years. It was noted that, in addition to pay, the dispute also concerned working conditions and the shortage of posts and consequent risk to resident doctors of unemployment. • The Trust had performed a self-assessment against the 10-Point Plan and it was noted that the majority of the plan’s contents had been considered by the Trust for some time. There were also a number of dependencies on the part of NHS England in areas such as lead employer models. • A national review of statutory and mandatory training was expected to enable portability of training records to facilitate staff moving between NHS organisations. • There had been significant improvements in respect of gaps in rotas. 5.13 Annual Clinical Outcomes Summary Luci Hood and Kate Pryde were invited to present the Annual Clinical Outcomes Summary Report, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The paper provided an overview of the clinical outcomes reviewed by the Clinical Assurance Meeting for Effectiveness and Outcomes (CAMEO) over the 12-month period to September 2025. • The majority of specialities provide reports to CAMEO, although outcome data can be more difficult in some areas to capture than in others. • The outcomes reviewed by the CAMEO and outputs from this body were also influencing the development of the Trust’s clinical strategy. • The strains on the capacity of services posed a risk to clinical outcomes. Page 7 • There was potential that a ‘quality’ override could form part of the NHS Oversight Framework in the future, operating in a similar manner to the ‘financial’ override by limiting the segmentations available to an organisation. 6. STRATEGY and BUSINESS PLANNING 6.1 Corporate Objectives 2025-26 Quarter 2 Review Martin De Sousa was invited to present the review of Corporate Objectives 2025/26 for the second quarter, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • Of the 12 objectives agreed for 2025/26, six were rated ‘green’, four were ‘amber’ and two were ‘red’. • The ‘red’ rated risks were that relating to the Trust’s financial performance and that relating to the Trust’s achievement of its workforce plan for 2025/26. 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: • BDO had completed its audit of the Trust’s risk maturity and had presented its report to the Audit and Risk Committee on 13 October 2025. The audit had highlighted a number of strengths including the Board Assurance Framework, risk definition, and use of risk in decision-making. In terms of opportunities for improvement, the audit report suggested some improvements in articulation of operational risks and use of ‘SMART’ methodology for actions. • The Board Assurance Framework had been reviewed by relevant executive directors and committees since it was last presented to the Board. There had been no changes to the ratings or target dates. 7. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE, RISK and INTERNAL CONTROL 7.1 Feedback from the Council of Governors’ (COG) Meeting 28 October 2025 The Chair presented a summary of the Council of Governors’ meeting held on 28 October 2025. It was noted that the meeting had considered the following matters: • Chief Executive Officer’s Performance Report • Governor attendance at Council of Governors’ meetings • Review of the Council of Governors’ Expenses Reimbursement Protocol • Appointment of Jane Harwood as Deputy Chair with effect from 1 October 2025 • Membership engagement • Feedback from the Governors’ Nomination Committee It was noted that the Trust’s work on violence and aggression received particular attention from the Governors. 7.2 Register of Seals and Chair’s Action Report The paper ‘Register of Seals and Chair’s Actions Report’ was presented to the meeting, the content of which was noted. Page 8 It was further noted that one further item had been sealed on 7 November: Deed of Guarantee between University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust (Guarantor) and CHG-Meridian UK Limited (Beneficiary) regarding the payment and due performance obligations of UHS Estates Limited (UEL) under the Guaranteed Contract and specifically the Stryker Power Tools delivered to UEL under the pre-contract open build period with CHG. Seal number 307 on 7 November 2025. 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 to the additional document referred to above. 7.3 Health and Safety Services Annual Report 2024-25 Spencer Scott was invited to present the Health and Safety Services Annual Report 2024/25, the content of which was noted. It was further noted that: • The number of incidents reportable pursuant to the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) had increased substantially to 68 such incidents compared to 39 in 2023/24. The majority of these incidents related to moving and handling or exposure to infectious diseases. • There was a concern that there had been a reduction in the number of health and safety related reports and escalations whilst at the same time the number of RIDDORs had increased. • Four areas of concern were highlighted: Entonox surveillance of maternity staff, display screen equipment compliance, the Southampton General Hospital loading bay, and workplace temperatures during the summer. 8. Any other business There was no other business. 9. Note the date of the next meeting: 13 January 2026 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. 11. 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 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. Trust Board – Open Session 09/09/2025 - 8 Any other business 1286. Organ donation Machell, Craig 03/02/2026 Pending Explanation action item Craig Machell agreed to add organ donation to the agenda of a future Trust Board Study Session. Update: Scheduled for TBSS on 03/02/26. Trust Board – Open Session 11/11/2025 - 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 6 1293. MRI scanners and imaging Hyett, Andy 13/01/2026 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. 1294. Cystopscopy/urology Hyett, Andy 13/01/2026 Pending Explanation action item Andy Hyett agreed to develop a longer-term plan for cystoscopy/urology and to report back to the Board during Quarter 4. Page 1 of 2 Agenda item Assigned to Deadline Status Trust Board – Open Session 11/11/2025 - 5.6 Performance KPI Report for Month 6 1295. Neurophysiology Hyett, Andy 13/01/2026 Pending Explanation action item Andy Hyett agreed to develop a long-term solution to the neurophysiology service. 1296. Watch & Reserve antibiotics usage Hyett, Andy 13/01/2026 Pending Explanation action item Andy Hyett agreed to clarify the basis of the calculation of the ‘Watch & Reserve antibiotics usage per 1,000 adms’ metric. Page 2 of 2 Agenda Item 5.1 i) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 January 2026 Committee: Finance, Investment and Cash Committee Meeting Date: 24 November 2025 Key Messages: Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) Any Other Matters: • The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s commercial activities, noting that the Trust had robust systems in place to maximise cost recovery for private patient and overseas visitor income. The Trust’s private patient unit project continued to progress. The Trust was also seeking a partner to manage its parking provision. • The committee received the Finance Report for Month 7. The Trust had reported a £5.1m in-month deficit (£35.9m year-to-date), which was in line with the trajectory contained in the Financial Recovery Plan. The underlying deficit remained flat at £6.4m. Whilst there had been a slight reduction in the number of mental health patients, there were c.240 patients having no criteria to reside at any point during the period. There was an increased level of scrutiny in respect of non-pay expenditure. • The committee reviewed an update on the Trust’s measures for financial improvement, noting that the Trust was forecasting achievement of £85-95m against its target of £110m Cost Improvement Programme delivery for 2025/26. • The committee noted the Trust’s approach and the timelines associated with the Medium Term Planning submission. It was noted that the framework set ambitious financial and performance targets. • The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s Theatre Experience Programme, noting that there had been a 3% increase in utilisation and a 3% reduction in cancellations. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s productivity, noting that the Trust’s productivity had fallen by 3.3% compared to the prior year due to high-cost growth. • The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s cash position and forecast and supported a proposal to request further cash support for January 2026. • The committee received an update on Capital Planning for 2026/272029/30. It was noted that it was expected that the Trust would be allocated c.£40m per annum, although there were concerns about the impact of the Trust’s cash position and the ability of the Trust to meet this level of expenditure. N/A N/A 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 5.1 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 January 2026 Committee: Finance, Investment and Cash Committee Meeting Date: 15 December 2025 Key Messages: • • • • • • The committee received the Finance Report for Month 8 (see below). The committee discussed the Trust’s future transformation programmes, noting that the areas of focus would be: urgent and emergency care, elective care, and automation of administrative processes. The committee was assured that the programmes were felt to be suitably ‘bold and ambitious’ and were grounded in realistic opportunities, rather than ‘blue sky’ ideas. The committee reviewed the draft capital plan for 2026/27 – 2029/30, noting that the Trust had been allocated c.£40m of capital departmental expenditure limit (CDEL) per year. It was noted that the Trust’s cash position could place constraints on the Trust’s capital programme. The opportunity to secure funding from national programmes outside of CDEL should be pursued vigorously. The plan was to be discussed in a Trust Board Study Session prior to submission in February 2026. The committee reviewed, challenged and discussed the Trust’s medium-term plan ahead of the first submission to NHS England on 17 December 2025. The committee provided feedback in respect of the proposed submission noting that some of the assumptions within the 2025/26 plan had not materialised with regard to matters such as reductions in non-criteria to reside numbers and the committee sought assurance that learnings had been applied to the development of the medium-term plan submission. The committee was assured that such assumed reductions within the 2026/27 plan were based purely on actions which were deemed to be within the Trust’s control. The committee suggested some changes with regard to the plan, particularly around growth assumptions in the cost base, and agreed to recommend the revised plan to the Board for approval. It was noted that more detail and reviews would be required prior to the final submission date in February 2026. The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s cash position and supported a proposal to make a further request for cash support from NHS England for January 2026. The Trust reviewed and supported a proposal for transforming the Southern Counties Pathology network. Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 5.7 Finance Report for Month 8 Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial High • The Trust had reported an in-month deficit of £4.9m (£40m year-todate), which was consistent with the Trust’s Financial Recovery Plan. • November 2025 had been a challenging month due to costs associated with industrial action, patients with no criteria to reside and mental health patients. • The Trust had received c.£3m of income out of £6.1m for elective over-performance. • There had been a slight improvement in the Trust’s underlying deficit. Page 1 of 2 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. 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 13 January 2026 Committee: People & Organisational Development Committee Meeting Date: 21 November 2025 Key Messages: • • • • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 7 including progress against the workforce plan. During October 2025, the overall workforce grew by 14 whole-time-equivalents (WTE). Although the substantive workforce had reduced by 15 WTE, there had been lowerthan-expected turnover and increased temporary staffing usage due in part to high sickness levels. The Trust remained on track, however, with respect to its Financial Recovery Plan trajectory. There were concerns about the response rate to the Staff Survey, which was below the national average. The Trust’s vaccination campaign for staff had started well with the uptake rate for the flu vaccine amongst staff at 43%. The committee considered the outputs of the review by NHS England of statutory and mandatory training and the implications for UHS. It was noted that a revised framework would facilitate passporting of training between NHS organisations. The Trust was aligned to the Core Skills Training Framework across six out of eleven areas and ten out of eleven areas for the Utilising E-Learning for Health material. The committee received an update in respect of the Trust’s Inclusion and Belonging strategy. It was noted that resource constraints and the impact of the current financial and operational environment on staff morale had impacted progress towards achievement of the objectives set out in the strategy. The committee reviewed the People risks contained within the Trust’s Board Assurance Framework. Assurance: N/A (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) 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. 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 ii) Committee Chair’s Report to the Trust Board of Directors 13 January 2026 Committee: People & Organisational Development Committee Meeting Date: 15 December 2025 Key Messages: Assurance: (Reports/Papers reviewed by the Committee also appearing on the Board agenda) • The committee reviewed the People Report for Month 8 (see below) including progress against the workforce plan and Financial Recovery Plan. • The committee considered the workforce implications of the Trust’s medium term plan submission, noting that there were a number of national expectations and targets, such as those relating to sickness rates and elimination of agency spend. In addition, the committee noted the risks associated with the plan, including those where the Trust was reliant on progress with respect to non-criteria to reside and mental health numbers. • The committee received an update regarding the Trust’s Violence and Aggression workstream, noting that the Trust had adopted a revised approach to violence, aggression and abuse directed at staff with a greater willingness to take action against violent/abusive patients and members of the public. A violence and aggression board had been established to provide executive oversight and leadership, and the Trust’s policy was being revised. This work would be accompanied by a comprehensive communication plan for both staff and members of the public. • The committee reviewed the Trust’s progress against its objectives for Year 4 of its People Strategy. 5.9 People Report for Month 8 Assurance Rating: Risk Rating: Substantial High • The overall workforce fell during November 2025, with substantive numbers falling by 52 whole-time-equivalents (WTE). However, temporary staffing use had increased during the month due to increased sickness and operational pressures, which offset much of the reduction in substantive numbers. • The Trust was over its original plan by 214 WTE despite a decrease of nearly 400 WTE since 31 March 2025. In order to hit the Trust’s Financial Recovery Plan target, the overall workforce would need to fall by a further 137 WTE (including a 72 WTE reduction in temporary staffing) by the end of March 2026. • A forecast based on the previous year’s temporary staffing usage for the remaining months of the year indicated that the Trust would end the year approximately 500 WTE above the Trust’s 2025/26 plan. • The Trust had submitted a baseline assessment against the 10 Point Plan to improve Resident Doctors’ working lives in August 2025, which indicated that the Trust compared favourably against other organisations in the South East. The main issues concerned space available for doctors to work in and timeliness of reimbursement of course-related expenses. • The Trust was expected to meet a target of 95% of job plans having been signed off prior to 31 March 2026. At the start of December 2025, 55% of job plans had been signed off. Page 1 of 2 Any Other Matters: • Sickness absence had increased in November 2025 to 4.2% in month due to seasonal illnesses. • The staff survey closed on 28 November 2025. The completion rate for the staff survey had been lower t
Url: /Media/UHS-website-2019/Docs/About-the-Trust/Trust-governance-and-corporate-docs/2026-Trust-documents/Papers-Trust-Board-13-January-2026.pdf

Papers Trust Board - 13 May 2025

Description: 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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