Webforms Output: Core standards declaration 2008/2009 May 2009
Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 1 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Start Here
* Please enter your NHS code and click search. Then please 'select' the name of your RX6 organisation and click continue below:
This is the information that we have for your organisation.
If this information is incorrect please contact the Healthcare Commission at [email protected]
Organisation Name: North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Chief Executive's First Name: Simon
Chief Executive's Surname: Featherstone
Chief Executive's Email: [email protected]
Organisation Code: RX6
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 2 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Guidance
General guidance on how to complete the declaration form
You might find it helpful to print the following instructions (using the print function of your browser) so you can refer to them easily while you are completing the declaration form.
We have also published a guidance document titled "your guide to the core standards assessment 2008/09 "which you may find useful. This can be located by using the following link:
here
This guidance covers:
o How the declaration form is laid out o Guidance related to each section o FAQs
How the declaration form is laid out
The declaration form is divided into the following sections
1. General statement of compliance 2. Domain pages for core standards 3. Sign off 4. Comments from third parties
For the majority of sections there are multiples pages which require completion. You can save the form at any point, but you will not be able to submit a section until all questions are completed and you will not be able to submit the entire form until all sections have submitted.
General Guidance
The declaration you make will be the basis of your score for the assessment of core standards.
Your core standards declaration should cover the period from April 1st 2008 to March 31st 2009.
Please note, you will not be asked to make a statement on the Hygiene Code, nor is there a specific developmental standards assessment as part of the 2008/2009 annual health check.
When making your declaration you must consider whether your trust's board (or an appropriate officer with delegated authority from the board) has received reasonable assurance that the organisation has been compliant with the core standard for the entirety of the assessment year (1 April 2008 - 31 March 2009) and that no significant lapses have occurred.
When making your declaration you may find it helpful to keep a record or file of the evidence that your board considered when reaching its judgment. It is this evidence which will be required if your trust is selected for inspection in the summer.
Section 1. General statement of compliance
The general statement is an opportunity for trusts to place in context the detail of the domain pages and the comments received from the specified third parties. Each trust should use the general statement of compliance to present a summary of its declaration. It is important for the statement to be consistent with the detail presented in the rest of the declaration.
Section 2. Domain pages for core standards
This is the main body of the declaration form. Each standard your trust is required to declare against will be set out here, organised under the domain headings.
Initial questions: For each part standard you must categorise your trust under one of the following headings:
o Compliant: a declaration of compliant should be used where a trust's board determines that it has reasonable assurance that it has been meeting a standard, without significant lapses for the whole of the assessment year, from 1 April 2008 to 31 March 2009.
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o Not met: a declaration of 'not met' should be used where the assurances received by the trust's board make it clear that there have been one or more significant lapses in relation to a standard during the year.
o Insufficient assurance: a declaration of 'insufficient assurance' should be used where a lack of assurance leaves the trust's board unclear as to whether there have been one or more significant lapses during the year. However, in circumstances where a trust is unclear about compliance for a whole year but has good evidence about the occurrence of a significant lapse during the year that a declaration of "not met" may be more appropriate.
For each standard, the boards of trusts need to decide whether any identified lapses are significant or not. In making this decision, we anticipate that boards will consider any potential risks to patients, staff and the public, and the duration and impact of the lapse. The declaration should not be used for reporting isolated, trivial or purely technical lapses in respect of the core standards.
Subsequent questions if you declare 'not met" or 'insufficient assurance': If you declare 'not met', or 'insufficient assurance' for a particular standard, you must complete the subsequent questions in the declaration form which relate to action plans. Please note you are not required to complete these if you have declared compliant and therefore you will not be able to input data.
o Start date - This is the date from which the significant lapse occurred or the insufficient assurance was identified. The actual date should be given, even if this was before 1 April 2008.
o Date at which you expect to have assurance of compliance - this is the date from which the board was or will be reasonably assured that it is fully compliant with the standard. This date should reflect the details within the action plan and can be dated after the end of the 2008/2009 assessment year. If non compliance has not been resolved by the end of the year (31 March 2009), then the "end date of non compliance" should not be entered as 31 March 2009, but the appropriate later date. It should be noted that those standards with a date prior to 1st April 2009 may be inspected.
o Description of the issue - a short description of the significant lapse or why the trust does not have reasonable assurance.
o Action plan - a short summary of what action has been or is planned to be taken to rectify the issue by the stated end date of non compliance
We will also ask you for additional information where:
o in your 2007/2008 declaration the standard was declared as 'not met' or insufficient assurance' and o in your 2007/2008 declaration the corresponding action plan had an end date on or before 31st March 2008 and o the standard has again been declared as 'not met' or 'insufficient assurance' for 2008/2009
You will need to describe the circumstances for this second consecutive declaration of non-compliance in light of the action plan. You will not be able to access or be required to complete this text box unless the above criteria has been met.
Some standards are not included as part of the core standards assessment and you are therefore not required to declare against them. They are assessed separately elsewhere in the annual healthcheck. These standards are:
C7d - this relates to financial management and will be measured through the quality of financial management assessment for which we will rely on the findings of the Audit Commission or Monitor.
C7f - this relates to existing performance requirements and will be measured through the existing commitments and national priorities assessment.
C19 - this relates to access to services with nationally agreed timescales and will be measured through the existing commitments and national priorities assessment.
In addition three standards have been judged to be not applicable to ambulance trusts for the 2008/2009 core standards assessment and as such will only be shown on the declaration form for other trust types. The three standards are
C15a and C15b - regarding provision of food for patients.
C22b - regarding local health needs
Section 3. Sign off
The Healthcare Commission recommends that all members of the trust board, including the non-executive directors (for foundation trusts this should be the board of directors), should sign off the declaration in the space provided below. Here, sign off is achieved by recording the name(s) and position(s) of the individual(s) concerned. We do not require scanned signatures.
As a minimum, we require the declaration to be signed off by an appropriate officer(s) with delegated authority from the board.
The completion of the sign off page will be taken as verification that the individual(s) who are recorded as signing off the declaration have reviewed the contents of the declaration form and are certifying that:
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 4 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Guidance
- the general statement of compliance, and information provided for each standard, are a true representation of the trust's compliance for the core standards
- any commentaries provided by specified third parties have been reproduced verbatim (but with confidential and personal information removed). Specific third parties are: strategic health authority, and foundation trust board of governors, where relevant, local involvement networks, learning disability partnership boards, local safeguarding children boards and overview and scrutiny committees
- they are signing off the declaration form on their behalf and with delegated authority on behalf of all members of the trust board as referred to above
Section 4. Comments from specified third parties
Trusts are required to invite comments on their performance against the core standards from specified third parties. These comments must be reproduced verbatim in the relevant sections of the form. The specified partners are:
for all NHS trusts, except foundation trusts, third parties must include the strategic health authority, the local authority's overview and scrutiny committee, local involvement networks, learning disability partnership boards and local safeguarding children boards.
or foundation trusts, third parties must include the local authority's overview and scrutiny committee, local involvement networks, learning disability partnership boards and local safeguarding children boards. We also encourage foundation trusts to seek, if they wish, comments from their board of governors and strategic health authority. Only foundation trusts will be able to access the comments from boards of governors section of the declaration form.
A trust may have multiple bodies of each type of third party within its catchment area. If this is the case, it should invite comments from those committees, LINks or boards it deems most relevant. In addition, a committee may specifically ask to comment on the performance of a trust against a certain core standard. Where this is the case, the trust should accept comments from such a committee and include them on their declaration form. In some locations, overview and scrutiny committees will have joint working arrangements. Where this is the case, the trust may wish to use those arrangements to gain comment.
Where a specified local partner declines to comment, a statement to this effect must be included in the declaration, along with any reasons cited by the local partner for their lack of comment. A box will be provided on the declaration form for this purpose.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q1. What do you mean by reasonable assurance and significant lapse? Q2. Why can I not access all the sections of the form? Q3. How do I delegate to someone who isn't listed in the delegate list? Q4. How do I nominate someone to complete the form? Q5. How can I print a section of the form? Q6. How can I print all the form in one step? Q7. How can I print the form in the format it would be appear as submitted, so that it does not show all the not applicable questions? Q8. Some of the standards seem to be missing, why is this? Q9. What are the key dates with regard to the declaration form? Q10. I am still having trouble with the webform, where can I get further help? Q11. Where can I find further information on the core standards assessment for 2008/2009? Q12. How do I submit my declaration form? Q13. I need to resubmit my form, what do I do? Q14. My pdf shows standards and questions which are not relevant to my trust - what should I do? Q15. I've changed my declaration from not met to met, however the text I entered still appears on the form and the pdf - what should I do?
Q1. What do you mean by reasonable assurance and significant lapse?
Reasonable assurance
Reasonable assurance, by definition, is not absolute assurance. Conversely, reasonable assurance cannot be based on assumption. Reasonable assurance is based on documentary evidence that can stand up to internal and external challenge. In determining what level of assurance is reasonable, trusts must reflect that the core standards are not optional and describe a level of service which is acceptable and which must be universal. Our expectation is that each trust's objectives will include compliance with the core standards. This will be managed through the trust's routine processes for assurance.
Trusts' boards should consider all aspects of their services when judging whether they have reasonable assurance that they are meeting the published criteria for assessment. Where healthcare organisations provide services directly, they have primary responsibility for ensuring that they meet the core standards. However, their responsibility also extends to those services that they provide via partnerships or other forms of contractual arrangement (for example, where human resource functions are provided through a shared service). When such arrangements are in place, each organisation should have reasonable assurance that those services meet the requirements of the standards.
Significant lapse
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 5 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Guidance
Trusts' boards should decide whether a given lapse is significant or not. In making this decision, we expect that boards will consider the extent of risk of harm this lapse posed to people who use services, staff and the public, or indeed the harm actually done as a result of the lapse. The type of harm could be any sort of detriment caused by lapse or lapses in compliance with a standard, such as loss of privacy, compromised personal data or injury, etc. Clearly this decision will need to include consideration of a lapse's duration, its potential harmful impact and the likelihood of that harmful impact occurring. There is no simple formula to determine what constitutes a 'significant lapse'. This is, in part, because our assessment of compliance with core standards is based on a process of self-declaration through which a trust's board states that it has received 'reasonable assurance' of compliance. A simple quantification of the actual and/or potential impact of a lapse, such as the loss of more than ?1 million or the death of a patient or a breach of confidentiality, for example, cannot provide a complete answer.
Determining what constitutes a significant lapse depends on the standard that is under consideration, the circumstances in which a trust operates (such as the services they provide, their functions and the population they serve), and the extent of the lapse that has been identified (for example, the duration of the lapse and the range of services affected, the numbers exposed to the increased risk of harm, the likely severity of harm to those exposed to the risk (taking account their vulnerability to the potential harm, etc).
Note that where a number of issues have been identified, these issues should be considered together in order to determine whether they constitute a significant lapse.
Q2. Why can I not access all the sections of the form?
Some sections are only relevant to specific trust types. For instance the "PCT Guidance" section is only accessible to primary care trusts and the "Board of governors' comments" section is only accessible to mental health and acute trusts. Additionally some questions are dependent on your declaration, for instance if you declare "not met" or "insufficient assurance" we require you to submit details.
You will only have access to those sections relevant to your trust type and your declaration.
Q3. How do I delegate to someone who isn't listed in the delegate list?
You can only delegate to those people who have been nominated to complete the form. If you wish to nominate an additional individual please complete the registration form which is available within the forms website.
Q4. How do I nominate someone to complete the form?
If you are a "Lead" and wish to nominate another person within your organisation as a nominated lead or to delegate completion of the form, you must complete the registration form available through the online forms system at using your standard log in details
Once selected the registration form will prompt you to nominate and supply the name and e-mail address of a colleague you wish to delegate access to the declaration form.
You then have to indicate whether you wish this individual to be a "Lead" or a "Completer". A 'Lead' is able to fill in the form or delegate the form to other registered users in their trust to complete. A 'Lead' has the final review of the form and is able to submit the data. A 'Completer' can fill in the form or relevant sections of it but is unable to delegate access to the form or able to submit the completed form.
Please ensure you select the 'complete' option in order to submit your nomination.
It is possible to have more than one registered lead for your organisation, if you require this please ensure you use the duplicate allocation option on the registration form.
Information will be sent to each registered lead explaining how they can access the online declaration form. Nominated leads will not be able to access their online declaration form until their registration has been submitted.
Q5. How can I print a section of the form?
On the summary page of the form select the "pdf" button for the part of the form you wish to print. This then enables you to print just that section of the form. It will print out all the questions relevant to that question, not just the ones applicable to your trust.
Q6. How can I print all the form in one step?
You are able to print the declaration form as one document through the "Available forms" section of the myform website. Select the "pdf" button which is relevant to the form you wish to print, this then enables you to print the declaration form as one rather individual sections. Please note it will print out all the questions relevant to that question, not just the ones applicable to your trust.
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 6 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Guidance
Q7. How can I print the form in the format it would be appear as submitted, so that it does not show the questions that are not applicable?
In previous years, prior to submission, you were only able to print a "pre-submitted" version of the PDF form using the "view printable version in PDF" link. The pre-submitted version of the PDF shows all the questions, including those which are not applicable to the trust. The questions are hidden from view on the online form. This function is still available this year.
However, this year there is an additional section titled "draft submission form", which will become available once you start filling in the declaration form. Clicking on this link will open a PDF form based on the information provided on the online form so far. The version of the PDF provided in this section will hide any questions not applicable to the trust based on the information provided so far.
Once the submit button is pressed the form is frozen and the final PDF only shows those questions which are applicable and the answers selected. This final PDF can be accessed by selecting the "view printable version in PDF" link.
Q8. Some of the standards seem to be missing, why is this?
Some standards are not included in the declaration, as separate assessments for them are being undertaken elsewhere in our overall assessment process or where these have been judged to not be applicable to the trust type. Please see the "Domain pages for core standards" section of this guidance for more information.
Details can be found in the published criteria documents available at the follow link:
here
Q9. What are the key dates with regard to the declaration form?
Tuesday March 3rd 2009 the declaration form will be made available on our website for trusts to start entering their data. Nominated leads will not be able to access the online declaration form until their registration has been submitted.
From Wednesday April 15th 2009 trusts will be able to submit their completed declarations. Regional teams will carry out a set of checks against each submitted declaration. We aim to complete these checks, and to inform each trust of the outcome, within three working days of receiving the declaration.
The final date for submission of the 2008/2009 declarations is 12:00 noon on Friday Mary 1st 2009. Failure to submit a declaration by the deadline may result in your trust being penalised and will lead to a greater chance of being inspected in the summer.
By Friday 22nd May 2009 we expect all trusts to have published their declarations. If a trust does not make the declaration publicly available, we will publish it on our website indicating that it has not been shared with the local community.
Q10. I am still having trouble with the webform, where can I get further help?
If you are still having difficulties with the declaration webform please contact our helpline on 0845 601 3012 or [email protected].
Q11. Where can I find further information on the core standards assessment for 2008/2009?
Our guidance documents for the core standards assessment for the 2008/2009 annual healthcheck can be found:
here
Q12. How do I submit my declaration form?
Each section of the declaration form needs to be completed and the "finish" button selected, changing the status of the section to "finished". The "submit" button is then available on the main page of the web form and the form can be submitted.
Q13. My pdf shows standards and questions which are not relevant to my trust - what should I do?
The pre submitted pdf shows all questions including those, which are not applicable to the trust and are hidden from view on the online form. This is set up so that the "pre-submit" version of the pdf showed all questions in order that it could be consider in it's entirety in hard copy before being populated The hidden questions which do not apply to the trust and do not appear on the webform should be ignored.
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Once the submit button is pressed the form is frozen and the final pdf only shows those questions which are applicable and the answers selected.
Q14. I've changed my declaration from not met to met, however the text I entered still appears on the form and the pdf - what should I do?
The text entered will disappear once the submit button is pressed, the text will remain visible until this point. This is to prevent trusts accidentally changing their declaration and losing all the data they have previously entered. This information will not be submitted as part of your declaration and will not show on the final declaration form / pdf.
You can print off a pdf version of the form as it will display once submitted. Please see FAQ 7 for more information on how to do this
Q15. I need to resubmit my form, what do I do?
All trusts will be allowed to request one resubmission between the above dates, but to ensure that we treat all trusts fairly, we will not authorise requests for resubmission after midday on 1st May 2009.
The rules for requesting a resubmission of your declaration are published on our website. We advise you to refer to these rules before submitting your declaration, and before submitting a request for resubmission. A request for resubmission needs to be made by your trust's registered lead
If we have authorised a request for resubmission, your trust must resubmit its declaration within five working days of the authorisation, or by midday on Friday 8th May 2009 (whichever is earlier).
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 8 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter General statement of compliance
General statement of compliance
* Please enter your general statement of compliance in the text box provided. There is no word limit on this answer.
North East Ambulance Trust Board Meeting, held 26 March 2009 - minute number 14
14. HEALTHCARE COMMISSION ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK 2008/09 - PROPOSED STATEMENT OF COMPLIANCE WITH CORE STANDARDS
The Trust is required to submit a declaration of compliance with core standards with the Healthcare Commission's Annual Health Check by 1st May 2009.
Members noted the evidence provided in support of the core standards, supported by the relevant documentation, and reviewed the processes adopted to support the statement of compliance.
Taking into account the detailed supporting documentation, including the robust approach in the process supported by the independent audit report and papers presented to the Trust Assurance and Audit Committees, the Board approved the final declaration of full compliance with the core standards.
It was noted that a copy of the full declaration, including comments from the North East Strategic Health Authority, the newly formed patient representatives (LINks) and the Overview & Scrutiny Committees would be presented at the May Board meeting. R D French
It was highlighted that as part of the Annual Health Check, the Trust is required to publish verbatim the commentary from the above mentioned organisations and as such the Board approved delegated authority to the Chairman to make any response to the commentary received.
The Board endorsed the view that the report represented a significant piece of work and thanked all those involved, especially the Business Planning Manager whose close attention to detail and focus on process had contributed to this positive statement of compliance.
Members expressed concern with the inconsistent approach to the completion of the corporate cover sheets and the Head of Comms & Public Involvement agreed to share a briefing paper that would aid in this area.
The Audit Committee Chairman informed that one element that had been identified at the recent Audit Committee Development Workshop was the importance of being able to provide effective Minutes and corporate cover sheets that provided assurance and it was hoped that a training session would be arranged for those members of staff who had responsibilities in this field in the future. M Cotton
Independent Internal Audit report - as presented to the Trust Board 26 March 2009
North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust (Board Report - Appendix e) Internal Audit Report E2009/11
Standards for Better Health
Assurance rating this review Significant Assurance Assurance rating previous review Significant Assurance
Distribution list 1. Roger French - Director of Finance and Performance. 2. Judith Hurrell - Head of Financial Services, Risk and Claims Management. 3. John Pescott - Audit Committee Chairman.
Sunderland Internal Audit Services February 2009
1. Background and Scope
Background The purpose of the audit was to review the Trust's compliance with core Standards for Better Health and continuing progress towards developmental Standards. The audit was carried out as part of the 2008/09 Tactical Internal Audit Plan.
Scope The scope of the audit involved discussions with Trust staff, systems assessment and a review of relevant documents, minutes and reports.
The objectives of the audit were to ensure that: o There are adequate accountability arrangements in place for ensuring that the Trust complies with Standards for Better Health.
o The assessment of compliance with the Standards is consistent and appropriate.
o Ongoing compliance with the Standards is continuously monitored and reviewed.
o The content of the annual declaration in respect of each Standard is substantiated by appropriate evidence.
o The Trust has robust processes to facilitate continuing progress towards the attainment of developmental Standards.
Evidence was reviewed in respect of Standards C4c, C4d, C4e, C5c, C7e, C11a, C11b, C13a, C13b, C14a, C20a, C21, and C24.
2. Assurance Statement
Introduction The report summarises the findings of our audit of the Trust's process for gaining assurance on compliance with Standards for Better Health.
Good practice identified
We noted the following area of good practice: There are robust accountability arrangements in place for ensuring that the Trust complies with the Standards for Better Health. The Assurance
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 9 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter General statement of compliance
Committee takes an active role in monitoring the process of collating evidence to support the annual declaration.
Assurance statement Significant assurance can be given that there is a sound system of internal control, designed to meet the organisation's objectives, and that controls are generally being applied consistently.
Acknowledgements The cooperation and assistance of the staff during the course of the audit, in particular John Hehir, Business Planning Manager, is appreciated.
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 10 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Safety domain
Please note some standards may not appear on the declaration form as they are not applicable to your trust type. Please refer to the guidance for further information. Safety domain - core standards (C1a - C3)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C1a: Healthcare organisations protect patients through systems that identify and learn from all patient safety incidents and other reportable incidents, and make improvements in practice based on local and national experience and information derived from the analysis of incidents.
O compliant
* C1b: Healthcare organisations protect patients through systems that ensure that patient safety notices, alerts and other communications concerning patient safety which require action are acted upon within required timescales.
O compliant
* C2: Healthcare organisations protect children by following national child protection guidelines within their own activities and in their dealings with other organisations.
O compliant
* C3: Healthcare organisations protect patients by following National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) interventional procedures guidance.
O compliant
Safety domain - core standards (C4a - C4e)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C4a: Healthcare organisations keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that the risk of healthcare acquired infection to patients is reduced, with particular emphasis on high standards of hygiene and cleanliness, achieving year on year reductions in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).
O compliant
* C4b: Healthcare organisations keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that all risks associated with the acquisition and use of medical devices are minimised.
O compliant
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 11 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Safety domain
* C4c: Healthcare organisations keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that all reusable medical devices are properly decontaminated prior to use and that the risks associated with decontamination facilities and processes are well managed.
O compliant
* C4d: Healthcare organisations keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that medicines are handled safely and securely.
O compliant
* C4e: Healthcare organisations keep patients, staff and visitors safe by having systems to ensure that the prevention, segregation, handling, transport and disposal of waste is properly managed so as to minimise the risks to the health and safety of staff, patients, the public and the safety of the environment.
O compliant
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 12 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Clinical and cost effectiveness domain
Clinical and cost effectiveness domain - core standards (C5a - C6)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C5a: Healthcare organisations ensure that they conform to National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) technology appraisals and, where it is available, take into account nationally agreed guidance when planning and delivering treatment and care.
O compliant
* C5b: Healthcare organisations ensure that clinical care and treatment are carried out under supervision and leadership.
O compliant
* C5c: Healthcare organisations ensure that clinicians continuously update skills and techniques relevant to their clinical work.
O compliant
* C5d: Healthcare organisations ensure that clinicians participate in regular clinical audit and reviews of clinical services.
O compliant
* C6: Healthcare organisations cooperate with each other and social care organisations to ensure that patients' individual needs are properly managed and met.
O compliant
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 13 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Governance domain
Governance domain - core standards (C7a - C9)
Please note some core standards do not appear on the declaration form as they are assessed through other components of the annual health check:
Standard C7f is assessed through the existing commitments & national priorities component of the annual health check.
Standard C7d is assessed through our quality of financial management component which uses information from assessments undertaken by the Audit Commission and Monitor.
Standards C7f and C7d are not applicable to the Health Protection Agency, NHS Direct or NHS Blood and Transplant.
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C7a and C7c: Healthcare organisations apply the principles of sound clinical and corporate governance and Healthcare organisations undertake systematic risk assessment and risk management.
O compliant
* C7b: Healthcare organisations actively support all employees to promote openness, honesty, probity, accountability, and the economic, efficient and effective use of resources.
O compliant
* C7e: Healthcare organisations challenge discrimination, promote equality and respect human rights.
O compliant
* C8a: Healthcare organisations support their staff through having access to processes which permit them to raise, in confidence and without prejudicing their position, concerns over any aspect of service delivery, treatment or management that they consider to have a detrimental effect on patient care or on the delivery of services.
O compliant
* C8b: Healthcare organisations support their staff through organisational and personal development programmes which recognise the contribution and value of staff, and address, where appropriate, under-representation of minority groups.
O compliant
* C9: Healthcare organisations have a systematic and planned approach to the management of records to ensure that, from the moment a record is created until its ultimate disposal, the organisation maintains information so that it serves the purpose it was collected for and disposes of the information appropriately when no longer required.
O compliant
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 14 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Governance domain
Governance domain - core standards (C10a - C12)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C10a: Healthcare organisations undertake all appropriate employment checks and ensure that all employed or contracted professionally qualified staff are registered with the appropriate bodies.
O compliant
* C10b: Healthcare organisations require that all employed professionals abide by relevant published codes of professional practice.
O compliant
* C11a: Healthcare organisations ensure that staff concerned with all aspects of the provision of healthcare are appropriately recruited, trained and qualified for the work they undertake.
O compliant
* C11b: Healthcare organisations ensure that staff concerned with all aspects of the provision of healthcare participate in mandatory training programmes.
O compliant
* C11c: Healthcare organisations ensure that staff concerned with all aspects of the provision of healthcare participate in further professional and occupational development commensurate with their work throughout their working lives.
O compliant
* C12: Healthcare organisations which either lead or participate in research have systems in place to ensure that the principles and requirements of the research governance framework are consistently applied.
O compliant
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 15 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Patient focus domain
Please note some standards may not appear on the declaration form as they are not applicable to your trust type. Please refer to the guidance for further information. Patient focus domain - core standards (C13a - C14c)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C13a: Healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that staff treat patients, their relatives and carers with dignity and respect.
O compliant
* C13b: Healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that appropriate consent is obtained when required, for all contacts with patients and for the use of any confidential patient information.
O compliant
* C13c: Healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that staff treat patient information confidentially, except where authorised by legislation to the contrary.
O compliant
* C14a: Healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that patients, their relatives and carers have suitable and accessible information about, and clear access to, procedures to register formal complaints and feedback on the quality of services.
O compliant
* C14b: Healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that patients, their relatives and carers are not discriminated against when complaints are made.
O compliant
* C14c: Healthcare organisations have systems in place to ensure that patients, their relatives and carers are assured that organisations act appropriately on any concerns and, where appropriate, make changes to ensure improvements in service delivery.
O compliant
* C16: Healthcare organisations make information available to patients and the public on their services, provide patients with suitable and accessible information on the care and treatment they receive and, where appropriate, inform patients on what to expect during treatment, care and after care.
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 16 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Patient focus domain
O compliant
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 17 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Accessible and responsive care domain
Accessible and responsive care domain - core standards (C17 - C18)
Some core standards do not appear on the declaration form as they are assessed through other components of the annual health check.
Standard C19 is assessed through the existing commitments & national priorities component of the annual health check.
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C17: The views of patients, their carers and others are sought and taken into account in designing, planning, delivering and improving healthcare services.
O compliant
* C18: Healthcare organisations enable all members of the population to access services equally and offer choice in access to services and treatment equitably.
O compliant
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Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 18 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Care environment and amenities domain
Please note some standards may not appear on the declaration form as they are not applicable to your trust type. Please refer to the guidance for further information. Care environment and amenities domain - core standards (C20a - C21)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C20a: Healthcare services are provided in environments which promote effective care and optimise health outcomes by being a safe and secure environment which protects patients, staff, visitors and their property, and the physical assets of the organisation.
O compliant
* C20b: Healthcare services are provided in environments which promote effective care and optimise health outcomes by being supportive of patient privacy and confidentiality.
O compliant
* C21: Healthcare services are provided in environments which promote effective care and optimise health outcomes by being well designed and well maintained with cleanliness levels in clinical and non-clinical areas that meet the national specification for clean NHS premises.
O compliant
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Finish button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 19 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Public health domain
Please note some standards may not appear on the declaration form as they are not applicable to your trust type. Please refer to the guidance for further information. Public health domain - core standards (C22a - C24)
Please declare your trust's compliance with each of the following standards:
* C22a and C22c: Healthcare organisations promote, protect and demonstrably improve the health of the community served, and narrow health inequalities by cooperating with each other and with local authorities and other organisations and healthcare organisations promote, protect and demonstrably improve the health of the community served, and narrow health inequalities by making an appropriate and effective contribution to local partnership arrangements including local strategic partnerships and crime and disorder reduction partnerships.
O compliant
* C22b: Healthcare organisations promote, protect and demonstrably improve the health of the community served, and narrow health inequalities by ensuring that the local Director of Public Health's annual report informs their policies and practices.
O compliant
* C23: Healthcare organisations have systematic and managed disease prevention and health promotion programmes which meet the requirements of the national service frameworks (NSFs) and national plans with particular regard to reducing obesity through action on nutrition and exercise, smoking, substance misuse and sexually transmitted infections.
O compliant
* C24: Healthcare organisations protect the public by having a planned, prepared and, where possible, practised response to incidents and emergency situations, which could affect the provision of normal services.
O compliant
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 20 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Electronic sign off page
Electronic sign off page
The Healthcare Commission recommends that all members of the trust board, including the non-executive directors (for foundation trusts this should be the board of directors) should sign off the declaration in the space provided below. Here, sign off is achieved by recording the name(s) and position(s) of the individual(s) concerned. We do not require scanned signatures.
As a minimum, we require the declaration to be signed off by an appropriate officer(s) with delegated authority from the board.
The completion of the sign off page will be taken as verification that the individual(s) who are recorded as signing off the declaration have reviewed the contents of the declaration form and are certifying that:
- the general statement of compliance, and information provided for each standard, are a true representation of the trust's compliance
- any commentaries provided by specified third parties have been reproduced verbatim. Specified third parties are: strategic health authority, foundation trust board of governors (where relevant), LINks, overview and scrutiny committees, Learning Disability Partnership boards and local safeguarding children boards
- they are signing off the declaration form on their behalf and with delegated authority on behalf of all members of the trust board as referred to above.
Electronic sign off - details of individual(s) Title: Full name: Job title: 1 Mr Tony William Dell Chairman (Non - Executive Director) 2 Mr John McGregor Pescott Vice Chairman (Non - Executive Director) 3 Mr Peter Wood Non - Executive Director 4 Mrs Alison Care Non - Executive Director 5 Mrs Helen Tucker Non - Executive Director 6 Mrs Annie Elisabeth Hitchman Non - Executive Director (Resigned January 2009) 7 Mr Simon Mark Featherstone Chief Executive 8 Mr Roger David French Director of Finance & Performance 9 Mr Paul Leslie Liversidge Director of Ambulance Operations 10 Mr Colin Cessford Director of Strategy & Clinical Standards 11 Mr Christopher William Harrison Director of Human Resources & Organisational Development 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 21 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Comments from specified third parties
Comments from specified third parties Please select the numbers of each type of third party that you wish to enter comments from
* Strategic Health Authorities
O 1
* Local involvement networks
O 5
* Local child safeguarding boards
O 1
* Learning Disability Partnership boards
O 1
* Non-specified third party organisations:
O 0 O 1 O 2 O 3 O 4 O 5 O 6 O 7 O 8 O 9 O 10 O 11 O 12 O 13 O 14 O 15
Comments from specified third parties
Please enter the comments from the specified third parties below. Strategic Health Authority Comments
Please select the name of the first strategic health authority that has provided the commentary
O North East Strategic Health Authority
Strategic health authority comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust
The role of the Strategic Health Authority (SHA) as the local headquarters for NHS North East includes supporting local organisations to achieve local priorities and national standards. The North East is a high performing region in terms of our healthcare provision as evidenced in last year's annual health check and the SHA has few areas of concern. Patient Safety and Organisational Development.
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 22 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Comments from specified third parties
The NHS in the North East has a positive track record for the provision of safe care and services. Over recent years individual hospital and primary care trusts have developed robust systems and processes to ensure effective clinical governance and have taken forward a broad range of initiatives to learn from adverse events and to improve patient safety. Organisations in the region have agreed a common vision for patient care which focuses on a clear aim of excellence, safety and responsiveness.
The region has developed a Safer Care North East strategy focussing on specific clinical safety issues and on the development of the safe culture, systems and processes which must underpin all effective pathways of care.
The Trust in contributing actively to patient safety improvement both within the organisation itself and on a regional basis.
NETS
Within NESHA the North East Transformation System, (NETS) is the agreed vehicle to achieve the NE Vision of being the leaders of excellence in health care and leadership. The NETS philosophy incorporates an equal emphasis on vision, compact and method in order to achieve sustainable change. Subsequently a coalition of 7 pathfinder organisations using Virginia Mason Production System as their method has been formed. The Trust is one of the pathfinder organisations.
Health Care Acquired Infections The region continues to work actively to reduce the risks of health care acquired infections which has in the past proved challenging and the ambulance Trust is fully engaged in this important area of work.
Information Governance Trusts have continued to show improvements in the way that person identifiable information is handled, with significant progress being made in implementing encryption for electronic information, improving existing courier processes, reviewing contracts to ensure information governance arrangements are in place with external agencies and ensuring information governance staff are appropriately trained to implement improvements. Although confidential information breaches do occur, the Trust is working well with the SHA to ensure that lessons are learned from such incident and cascaded to North East trusts
Safeguarding Children Safeguarding children is a key priority for NHS Trusts and PCTs. In line with the Operating Framework, David Nicholson's' letter of 1st December and Monitors letter to NHS Foundation Trusts; the SHA has developed a local audit of child protection arrangements. The collection of information has included all NHS Trusts and the Ambulance Service. This work has been designed to complement the work of the HCC as part of their national review and work underway by Local Safeguarding Children Boards. The Trust has contributed to this work.
Core Standards The SHA has considered the performance on core standards only where evidence is available to the SHA through current working arrangements or where the previous annual health check highlighted an in year or a year end compliance issue. The following are the specific comments which the SHA has in relation to this trust with specific reference to: C1&b: Systems are in place to protect patients and to indentify and learn from all patient safety incidents. Systems are in place to action all patient safety notices and the evidence from the region with regard to Serious Untoward incidents indicates continuing improvement. C2: Systems are in place to review compliance with this standard. C7a&c: Clinical Governance and controls assurance are in place and comply with national guidance C7e: The Trust has a robust Single Equality Scheme that details how the organisation challenges discrimination, promotes equality and respects human rights. Implementation of this scheme is tracked through the region wide Single Equality Performance Framework C24: The trust has plans in place for managing major incidents and emergency situations. In particular this year the trusts have been working hard to develop their Pandemic Flu Plans. There has been excellent collaboration throughout this process with all organisations contributing to sharing best practice through a series of workshops. These plans and other plans continue to be exercised through a comprehensive programme of self assessments, tabletop and practical exercises. All organisations are regularly represented and contribute fully to the monthly regional meetings providing a rich forum of information to support each other.
Steve Page, Strategic Head of Patient Safety/ Deputy Director of Nursing
Local Involvement Network comments
* Please enter the name of the first Local involvement network that has provided the Newcastle LINk commentary
* Local involvement network comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
From: Angela Walls [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 12 March 2009 10:49 To: Mark Cotton Cc: Pam Jobbins Subject: Healthcare Commission
Hello there Mark
I am responding to the letter that you forwarded to Pam Jobbins regarding the Annual Healthcheck. We have informed the Healthcare Commission that we will not be contributing for the year 2008 to 2009.
Incidentally, I wonder whether you have any further information, please, regarding the payment of expenses to LINk members attending the NEAS meetings?
Regards
Angela Walls
------This email is from Angela Walls, Newcastle LINk Policy Officer at NCVS [email protected] Tel: 0191 232 7445
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 23 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Comments from specified third parties
www.newcastlelink.org.uk Newcastle LINk is supported by Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service and Community Action on Health Please let us know if you have received this email by mistake or if you wish to be removed from our emailing list We use SOPHOS Anti-Virus software to check for viruses, spam and spyware ? Please consider the environment before printing this email ------Newcastle Council for Voluntary Service MEA House, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8XS www.cvsnewcastle.org.uk Registered charity number 226263
Please enter the name of the second Local involvement network that has provided the Middlesbrough LINk commentary
Local involvement network comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
Hello Mark
Many thanks for your letter regarding the Annual Health Check. I have now had an opportunity to discuss this with the Chair of Middlesbrough LINk, who has indicated that she does not feel that Middlesbrough LINk is in a position to make any comments at this stage. She hopes that over this coming year, as the LINk develops further, we will be able to forge stronger working relationships with the Trust and looks forward to doing so.
Regards Anne Frizell Team Leader - Middlesbrough LINk
302/3 Vanguard Suite Broadcasting House Newport Road Middlesbrough TS1 5JA
Tel: 01642 230434 Mobile: 07525237740 Free Phone 0800 141 2642
FREEPOST MIDDLESBROUGH LINK www.middlesbroughlink.org.uk
Email: [email protected] Website: www.carersfederation.co.uk Registered Office: 1 Beech Avenue, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham, NG7 7LJ Registered Number: 3123142 Registered Charity Number: 1050779 This e-mail is intended solely for the named recipient(s), it may contain confidential or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient(s) please notify us immediately and delete the e-mail without taking copies, storing the e-mail, printing it or disclosing the contents of the e-mail to any other individual. Nothing contained in this e-mail is intended to create binding legal obligations between us. Any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and do not represent those of The Carers Federation Limited. Should you communicate with anyone at The Carers Federation Limited by e-mail, you consent to us monitoring and reading any such correspondence.
Please enter the name of the third Local involvement network that has provided the Redcar & Cleveland LINk commentary
Local involvement network comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
Redcar and Cleveland Local Involvement Networks Comments for Annual Health Check 2008/2009
The Redcar and Cleveland Local Involvement Network is still an interim group and has not yet agreed its work plan. It therefore feels it is not in a position to add commentaries to the North East Ambulance Service declaration.
We will be in a position to give a more complete and full commentary in twelve months time. The LINk will be launching itself in Redcar and Cleveland on the 24th April 2009
Please enter the name of the fourth Local involvement network that has provided the SOUTH TYNESIDE LINk commentary
Local involvement network comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
Hi Mark
South Tyneside feel the same especially as we are the youngest LINk in the area.
Steve Steve Young LINks Project Manager Bliss=Ability 34-35 New Green St South Shields Tyne & Wear
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 24 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Comments from specified third parties
NE33 5DL 0191 4271666
______From: Mark Cotton [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 06 April 2009 11:05 To: Steven Young Subject: RE: Agenda and papers for Ambulance LINk meeting Hi Steve,
Yes - of course. I hope you feel better soon. There was just one point I wanted to raise with you about whether the LINk would be submitting a statement for the NEAS annual health check assessment. You will no doubt appreciate that most LINks have declined this year because there simply hasn't been the time and if this is the case with South Tyneside as well, I'd be grateful if you could just drop me an e-mail to that affect?
Many thanks and get well soon,
Mark
______From: Steven Young [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 06 April 2009 08:47 To: Mark Cotton Subject: RE: Agenda and papers for Ambulance LINk meeting
Hi Mark
Due to ill health can you accept my apologies for today's meeting
Steve Steve Young LINks Project Manager Bliss=Ability 34-35 New Green St South Shields Tyne & Wear NE33 5DL 0191 4271666
______From: Mark Cotton [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 31 March 2009 21:05 To: Mark Cotton; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Mark Bennett; [email protected]; Anne Frizell; [email protected]; Debra Deans; Julia - NCDN; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Stephen Thomas; Steven Young; [email protected] Cc: Sahdia Hassen; Stephen Payne Subject: RE: Agenda and papers for Ambulance LINk meeting Please find attached a copy of the minutes from the previous meeting in February.
______From: Mark Cotton Sent: 31 March 2009 20:56 To: ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); ([email protected]); Anne Frizell; [email protected]; Debra Deans; Julia - NCDN; Julie Whitehouse ([email protected]); Julie Whitehouse ([email protected]); Northumberland LINk ([email protected]); Pam Jobbins ([email protected]); Stephen Thomas; Steven Young; Sue Jennings ([email protected]) Cc: Sahdia Hassen; Stephen Payne Subject: Agenda and papers for Ambulance LINk meeting
Dear all,
Please find attached the supporting papers and agenda for the ambulance LINks meeting next Monday, 6th April, at 2pm in the Gallery Room, Destiny Centre, 395 Norton Road, Norton, Stockton on Tees, Cleveland, TS20 2QQ.
I look forward to seeing you and/or your members at the meeting.
Kind regards,
Mark Cotton | Head of Communications & Public Involvement North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Press Office: 0191 430 2099 | Direct Line: 0191 430 2006 | Mobile: 07980 582 432 | Fax: 0191 430 2083 Bernicia House | Goldcrest Way | Newburn Riverside | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE | NE15 8NY
Please enter the name of the fifth Local involvement network that has provided the County Durham LINk commentary
Local involvement network comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
Julia Catherall LINk Administrative Officer
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 25 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Comments from specified third parties
County Durham LINk Pioneering Care Centre Carers Way Newton Aycliffe Co Durham DL5 4SF Tel: 01325 327431 Fax:01325 301129 Email: [email protected] www.linkcountydurham.co.uk
Confidentiality and Disclaimer The information transmitted is intended only for the addressee and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you are not the intended recipient of this communication please delete and destroy all copies from your computer. You must take no action based on them, nor must you copy them, distribute them or show them to anyone. The views expressed are personal and may not reflect those of the Pioneering Care Partnership. Reply: [email protected] Company Registered in England No: 3491237. Registered Office: Pioneering Care Partnership, Carers Way, Newton Aycliffe, Co. Durham, DL5 4SF. Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered Charity No. 1067888. VAT Reg. No. 708168037
Copy of letter received from LINk County Durham, dated 16th March 2009 (received in pdf format and reproduced verbatim)
County Durham LINk Pioneering Care Centre Carers Way Newton Aycliffe County Durham, DL5 4SF Tel 01325 327431 Fax 01325 301129
16th March 2009 Mark Cotton Head of communications and Public Involvement North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust Bernicia House Goldcrest Way Newburn Riverside Newcastle NE15 8NY
Dear Mark,
RE: Healthcare Commission (HCC) Declaration 2009
Thank you for your letter dated 11th March 2009 regarding the Healthcare Commission Declaration 2009.
I am writing to confirm that County Durham LINk have decided that it is not appropriate for them to comment on the HCC Declaration 2009 as this relates to the period April 2007 to march 2008 and LINks only came in to existence in April 2008.
However, County Durham LINk would like to confirm that over the last few months since the LINk became an entirety in itself, relationships between the North East Ambulance Service and the LINk have been positive and work is ongoing to ensure that these relationships are built upon in the future.
If you would like any further information, please give me a call.
Yours sincerely
Dave Haw Chair County Durham LINk
Local child safeguarding boards comments
* Please enter the name of the first local child safeguarding board that has provided the Gateshead LSCB commentary
* Local child safeguarding board comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
Statement from Gateshead LSCB
" NEAS have a seat on Gateshead LSCB . Representatives of the service attend LSCB events, eg the Annual Forum on e -safety held in March 09 was attended by a member of the service"
Alison Walton Director,Children and Young People Gateshead Council Learning and Children Civic Centre Gateshead NE8 1HH Tel 0191 433 3802 email [email protected] ______
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 26 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Comments from specified third parties
Learning Disabilities Partnership Board comments
* Please enter the name of the first Learning Disabilities Partnership Board that has City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation provided the commentary Trust
* Learning Disabilities Partnership Board comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
LEARNING DISABILITY PARTNERSHIP BOARDS
As requested, here is a quote from Stephanie Smith, Equality and Diversity Co-ordinator at City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust, on the placement scheme that we support for students with learning disabilities.
"Staff from the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust have worked as mentors for students with profound physical and learning disabilities for the last eighteen months.
They have ensured that all the staff within the department have received training and are actively supporting the programme.
The consistent support given has reflected on the students with learning disabilities receiving a valuable work experience placement that enhanced their lives.
The Trust has consistently supported the project and each student has positively evaluated their experience with the Ambulance Service.
The contribution made by the Ambulance Service to the lives of these marginalised young people is invaluable".
Commentaries from other third party organisations
There are no further questions in this section. Please press either the Save and Quit button or the Submit button to return to the main section list
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 27 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Overview and scrutiny committee comments
Overview and scrutiny committee comments
* How many overview and scrutiny committees will be commenting on your trust? (maximum of 10)
O 6
Overview and scrutiny committee comments
Name of overview and scrutiny committee 1 Darlington Borough Council - Health & Well Being Scrutiny Committee
Comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
Response to North East Ambulance Services NHS Trust - Annual Health Check Declaration - 2008/09
The Health and Well Being Scrutiny Committee takes the Annual Health Check process extremely seriously and undertakes vigorous scrutiny of four different chosen standards each year. The Committee are spilt into four Task and Finish Groups, one for each Trust that provides services for Darlington. This is the third year the Committee have used this approach and this way, eventually all of the 24 standards will have been considered in detail. The method has been welcomed by each of the four Trusts.
This year, the four standards chosen are 5, 9, 21 and 23, in relation to clinical and cost effectiveness; governance; care environment and amenities and public health. The standards reviewed were 4, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 22, from previous years. Members visited Berenicia House, Ambulance Headquarters, to view the evidence for themselves. Standard 5 - Clinical and cost effectiveness
Members received a vast array of evidence in respect of this standard including Policies for the implementation of National Service Frameworks and NICE Guidance, Clinical Practice Circulars and viewed the Joint Royal Colleges Ambulance Service Liaison Committee (JRCALC) - National Guidance (including drugs). Members met with the Clinical Development Manager and it was explained that JRCALC produce the UK Ambulance Service's Clinical Practice Guidelines. An A4 version is available at all locations and a mini pocket-size version is distributed to all operational staff. It was noted that new guidance is issued every two years. Ambulance crews must ensure that they adhere to the latest guidance and the regularly updated versions of the handbook demonstrates that. JRCALC brings forward best practice which is considered by the Clinical Advisory Group, who then reviews the appropriateness of these for the service.
Members received a copy of a report on the pilot of the Clinical Quality Improvement Framework for Ambulance Services and welcomed the Trusts involvement in revising clinical indicators, which will aim to improve the quality of care provided. The Trust ensures that clinical care and treatment is carried out under supervision and leadership through the training programmes offered and continued professional development. Skills and techniques relevant to staffs work are regularly updated through the variety of clinical circulars issued and improved practices. Staff are released two days every year to maintain their skills training.
The Clinical Audit report Members received highlighted the number of clinical audits carried out in a six month period and the clinical experts involved. Members were pleased to note that the Trust regularly audit performance in all aspects of the Trusts services.
Standard 9 - Governance Members met with the Service Development Manager, who discussed information governance in some detail. Members received a copy of the patient report form, which has been introduced, in A3 duplicate and completed by ambulance crews for every single patient contact. The forms are centrally collected in a secure envelope and are scanned into a computer and the information is added to a database programme. This is a form of monitoring and audit process, which can detect drug errors, and also ensures that the correct drug doses are being administered, and correctly recorded. The Trust are developing a national key performance indicator for monitoring of patient report forms as it informs the Board of the patient flows and the variety of incidents that ambulance crews attend. The patient report forms can also be used to monitor ethnic minority groups and to address inequality of services. Members witnessed the patient report forms being scanned into the secure system for themselves.
Members were informed that the Trust have an archive security system online which is locked and is complete with data sets. Images and data will be stored on dedicated servers.. The NEAS courier service meets the Department of Health Guidance on transporting records. Documents are retained for a certain number of years, the time period records are retained depends of the nature of the record, whether it is a health records, non health records, child or maternity records. The Trust also haa programme of assurance.
Standard 21 - Care environment and amenities
Members met with the Fleet Manager to discuss this standard and also viewed some footage of ambulances being crashed tested to the required specification. Members were informed that all ambulances adhere to the Disability Discrimination Act and are well designed and well maintained. Ambulances are crashed tested to ensure that the vehicle and equipment contained within can withstand a crash and not cause any harm to a patient on board. It was noted that only five vehicles have been written off in three years and a patient has never been injured as a result of an ambulance crash. Ambulances tend to crash on their way to an incident rather than when they have collected a patient. The new standard of vehicles will introduce black box recording equipment on board an ambulance, to report details of accidents back to the centre to improve crew and patient safety.
Members noted that the Trust has been proactive in tackling dirty ambulances for sometime and a deep cleaning programme was developed in 2005. It was acknowledged that it was not possible to continue to keep an ambulance sterile clean and therefore sensible measures are in place to keep ambulances physically clean. Ambulances are routinely removed from service every four to six weeks to be serviced by fleet team. When this happens the vehicles are emptied of all equipment, deep cleaned and decontaminated then restocked ready for use. The Trust has adopted a policy for single use of equipment and equipment is disposed of safely. There is a possibility of the new services being delivered in the future, and a change in how ambulances are cleaned, due to the impending Department of Health Guidance for cleaning. Members received a copy of the Vehicle Cleaning and Infection Control Procedures.
Standard 23 - Public health Members received a an array of evidence in support of this standard relating to the services the Occupational Health Department offers to staff including vaccinations, psychological health and well being counselling, physiotherapy, smoking cessation services, dietary services and foot health. Members welcomed the health promotion events that were undertaken throughout the year at Ambulance Headquarters and at numerous stations in the form of road shows with the theme of 'health and well being' incorporating healthy eating, alcohol and drug awareness.
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 28 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Overview and scrutiny committee comments
Previous years chosen standards In relation to the standards the Group considered last year, those being standards 4, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20 and 22. It was reported that there has been no major changes and good progress has continued to be made against the targets set.
Members of the Health and Well Being Scrutiny Committee have continued to work with the Trust independently and as part of the Tees Valley Health Scrutiny Joint Committee. Members consider that they have established a good working relationship with the Trust and hope that this continues as the Trust prepares to consult on its application to become a Foundation Trust. Officers from the Trust continue to attend full scrutiny Committees and keep Members fully briefed on any up and coming Trust issues. Officers have also accepted an invitation to attend the regular NHS briefings that the Lead members of the Scrutiny hold with the Chief Executives of the other NHS Trusts which provide services to Darlington residents.
Conclusion Members of the Task and Finish Group are extremely pleased with all the evidence reviewed by the Trust in respect of the chosen standards. Members welcome the open, transparent attitude and support from the Officers and would like to extend thanks to all the Officers involved in assisting with the review. The Group are happy to support the Trust in declaring compliance of the chosen standards considered.
Councillor Heather Scott Lead Member of the Annual Health Check Task and Finish Group North East Ambulance Services Trust
Name of overview and scrutiny committee 2 SOUTH TYNESIDE OSC
Comments. There is no word limit on this answer.
From: Paul Baldasera [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 16 March 2009 09:28 To: Mark Cotton Subject: RE: NEAS healthcare declarations
Hi Mark
As we have not had any issues on the ambulance service discussed within our committees this year, it is not our intention to send any comments for inclusion in your declaration this time around.
Paul
-----Original Message----- From: Mark Cotton [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: 11 March 2009 09:46 To: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Jackie Roll; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Paul Baldasera; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Anne Frizell; [email protected]; Debra Deans; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; Stephen Thomas; Steven Young; [email protected] Subject: NEAS healthcare declarations Please find attached a letter for chairs and officers, with this link to the Healthcare Commission for helpful guidance: http:/ www.healthcarecommission.org.uk/_db/_documents/Your_part_in_the_AHC_2008_09_200810210705.pdf Many thanks, Mark Cotton | Head of Communications & Public Involvement North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust
Press Office: 0191 430 2099 | Direct Line: 0191 430 2006 | Mobile: 07980 582 432 | Fax: 0191 430 2083 Bernicia House | Goldcrest Way | Newburn Riverside | NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE | NE15 8NY
Name of overview and scrutiny committee 3 Durham County Council
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Contact: Barry Charlton Direct Tel: 0191 383 4916 Fax: 0191 383 4206 e-mail: [email protected] Your ref: Our ref: BC
Simon Featherstone Chief Executive North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust Bernicia House Goldcrest Way Newburn Riverside Newcastle upon Tyne. NE15 8DY
29 April 2009
Dear Simon
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 29 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Overview and scrutiny committee comments
Care Quality Commission Core Standards Declarations
Durham County Councils Adult, Well Being and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee welcomes the Trusts declaration of full compliance presented for its consideration.
The committee notes the extensive and constructive dialogue that has taken place over the past year and prior, to inform the development of plans for modernising rural ambulance services and to meet community concerns. The committee will continue to maintain an interest in ambulance response performance in the Durham Dales and seek regular reporting to monitor performance.
The scrutiny committee also makes a general point to NHS organisations in relation to the core standards that there is evidence that:
o Some draft strategy documents and consultation documents are not being equality impact assessed at an early enough stage. o There can be a lack of, or an inadequate level of, involvement and engagement with key equality and diversity organisations in the early stages of development of strategy. o Consultation periods for some documents are insufficient (significantly less than recommended by Department of Health guidance of a period of twelve weeks) and this can present problems for voluntary and community groups to respond.
Cont/
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Rick Burnip Chair of the Adults, Well Being and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Copied to:
Mark Cotton Members of Adults, Well Being and Health OSC Feisal Jassat Jeremy Brock
Name of overview and scrutiny committee 4 Northumberland County Council HOSC
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NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY COUNCIL HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE
HEALTHCARE COMMISSION ANNUAL HEALTH CHECK DECLARATION ON CORE STANDARDS AND DEVELOPMENTAL STANDARDS, SPRING 2009
NORTH EAST AMBULANCE SERVICE NHS TRUST
The following is the response of the Northumberland Care and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to be included in the Trust's Annual Declaration:-.
It is noted that that reports to the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust Assurance Committee have been prepared to monitor progress made against statements of compliance with both Core and Developmental Standards. These have been supported by the necessary evidence, utilising the Healthcare Commission's (HCC) Inspection Guide Templates, tailored specifically for Ambulance Services.
Monthly audits on submissions of statements supported by relevant evidence have taken place to ensure that progress was made in all 24 Core Standards. An independent audit of the process and evidence to support statements of compliance with Core Standards had been undertaken by the Trust's Internal Audit services.
The improvement made by the Trust in the past year has been noted, with the rating for quality of services moving from "good" to "excellent" and the rating for use of resources moving from "fair" to "good". Members acknowledge the work being carried out within NEAS, particularly in the Auditors Local Evaluation process, as the Trust aims to further improve its rating on Use of Resources, notwithstanding the problems of achieving full utilisation of services due to the rurality of Northumberland.
It is acknowledged that the Trust continues to provide value for money as the most cost efficient ambulance service in the Country and the most cost efficient NHS Trust in the North East region. Members welcome the fact that these costs and efficiencies maintain focus on front line services.
The following summarises the work undertaken by the Committee with the Trust over the past year:
C17 Patient and Public Involvement - Patients and Carers' views are sought and taken into account in designing, planning and delivering and improving services.
The North East Ambulance Trust has again been a regular visitor to the Committee over the year and is keen to keep Members fully aware service developments. The Trust's willingness to attend meetings is appreciated.
o In June and July 2008, the Committee received a detailed presentation on the current position in relation to the development of urgent care services in Northumberland.
o In July 2008, Members received a detailed presentation from the Trust regarding performance in rural Northumberland.
In 2006, following extensive public engagement, Northumberland Care Trust and the NEAS had agreed to modernise rural ambulance services in parts of Northumberland. It was noted that as a consequence of the approved modernisation there were more staff on rotation able to work in those rural areas and that there was greater potential for integrated working across other health services in the area including GP practices, community nurses and First Responders. It was also noted that some of the anticipated improvements and integration had been fully implemented and would be a key focus for commissioners and the ambulance service in 2008/09.
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Whilst recognising the changes made, the work carried out with communities and the improvements achieved, it was acknowledged that there was a need to continue to engage with communities to ensure further improvements were made. The Committee appreciate the ongoing dialogue between the Trust and the Town Council in Haltwhistle and the Friends of Bellingham Surgery.
Some concern has continued to be raised in relation to performance of the service provided in rural areas of Northumberland. With this in mind, the Ambulance Working Group was established in order to consider and develop local response times in areas where national targets were unlikely to be met because of the geography of the area, in order to improve and equalise service delivery across Northumberland.
The report of the Working Group was recently submitted to Health Scrutiny with a number of recommendations and the Group will continue to meet this year, following Northumberland's recent reorganisation to a Unitary Authority.
A copy of the full report can be made available.
o In November 2008, some members took the opportunity to visit the NEAS control headquarters at Bernicia House, Newburn Riverside and were tremendously impressed with the calm atmosphere. Members expressed their admiration for the staff that carry out their duties in a very calm and professional manner in what are often, extremely difficult circumstances. It was noted that the difficulties in reaching a patient at different times of day due to volume of traffic or adverse weather conditions were not taken into account when recording response times. It was noted that there had been a 15% increase in activity over the Christmas period with 150 additional calls being received each day.
Whilst the Trust strive to provide an equitable service, the Committee recognise it is extremely difficult to do so as response times across the area depends on the rurality of the patient.
o In November 2008, Members were advised on further developments in the Trust's review and reconfiguration of 999 contact centres.
o In November 2008 the Committee were made aware of the tremendous joint effort of all of the emergency services and health organisations during the extensive flooding in Northumberland. The committee congratulated all concerned on their admirable work carried out in very difficult circumstances.
o In November 2008, Members received a detailed presentation on the Trust's Annual Report. Discussions ensued regarding response calls, the need to continue with integrated transport schemes, the development of community paramedics and first responder schemes. The Committee recognise that the Trust is continually looking at practical ways of improving response times.
o With regard to servicing rural areas during inclement weather, the Committee are reassured that plans are in place for most eventualities and that modern vehicles now in service were more than capable. It was also noted that in extreme cases there was ready access to three Air Ambulances, currently available during day light hours. It was also noted that work was ongoing to develop a 24/7 Air Ambulance facility.
o Members welcome the training processes that were in place for Paramedics.
o In January 2009, the Committee were made aware of a newspaper article reporting that the North East Ambulance Service had been recognised as a best performing Ambulance Trust in the Country. The Chairman sent a letter on behalf of the Health OSC to congratulate them on their good work.
o In March 2009, a briefing for Health Scrutiny Committee members was extended to all County Councillors to inform them of the Trust's proposals to seek Foundation Trust Status. Members welcomed the benefits to patients and the public which would result from Foundation status such as greater accountability, freedom to invest in patient care and improving services even further.
A number of issues were raised which were answered by the Trust's Chief executive and a summary of the discussion can be made available. Such issues included: the telephone triage service.
Members were advised that all 999 calls are presumed to be an emergency and an ambulance despatched as soon as the 999 call is received. The ambulance is stood down if the telephone based triage system operated at the call centre concludes a more appropriate pathway for the patient. No other ambulance service can provide this variability of service. Members welcome the intention to build relationships with other health care providers in order to integrate and understand all parts of the system and are pleased that any freedom to invest allowed by Foundation trust Status would allow further investment in the contact centre in order to progress the single point of access to urgent care. It was noted that in October the single point of access will be piloted in Durham and Darlington with a view to having a single number across the whole of the North east and this was welcomed by the Committee.
The proposal to recruit Trust members as young as 12 years of age was welcomed by members as a positive commitment to young people.
A further briefing has been arranged for June to advise Members of the consultation arrangements before a regional joint scrutiny meeting discusses the application in July.
The Committee has an extremely positive and co-operative relationship with the Ambulance Trust and appreciate the time and effort taken by a range of senior staff to keep the Committee fully aware of relevant issues. Through regular contact, the Care and Wellbeing Overview ad Scrutiny Committee are pleased with the progress made against the Core Standards and is reassured that action plans put in place are continually monitored for further improvement.
They would like to add their support to Trust to achieve Foundation Trust Status and wish them well for the future.
All background papers can be made available.
Contact:
Jackie Roll Scrutiny Manager Democratic Services Northumberland County Council County Hall, Morpeth Northumberland NE61 2EF Telephone: 01670 533212 E-mail: [email protected]
Name of overview and scrutiny committee 5 Tees Valley HSJC
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Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 31 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Overview and scrutiny committee comments
FAO Mark Cotton Contact Officer: Jon Ord Telephone: (01642) 729706 Switchboard: (01642) 245432 Email [email protected]
29 April 2009
Dear Mark
Re: North East Ambulance Service - Annual Healthcheck
As you are aware, the Tees Valley Health Scrutiny Joint Committee considered your report on the above topic on 20 April 2009, and you met with the Vice Chair and supporting officers on 28 April to provide further evidence on a number of key themes.
First and foremost, The Joint Scrutiny Committee was pleased to see that the Trust continues to perform well in its service areas and notes NEAS' intention to declare full compliance with the relevant core standards.
The Joint Scrutiny Committee has had a great deal of involvement with NEAS in the last year, whilst considering a number of issues. The issue, which it has spent most time on, is the proposal to relocate a Contact Centre, which led to the referral to the Secretary of State for Health. As you know, the Secretary of State for Health rejected the referral, although requested that the SHA take a role in addressing some of the Joint Scrutiny Committee's concerns and monitoring the impact of the changes. Those concerns centred on patient safety and consultation practices.
In so far as Patient Safety is concerned, The Joint Scrutiny Committee now feels that the proposals should be implemented to the highest possible standards, with no drop, even temporary, in the standard of service provided to the residents of the Tees Valley. The Joint Scrutiny Committee would also wish to see an implementation of the proposal, which satisfies staff members who expressed concern over the proposal, to the Joint Scrutiny Committee.
In so far as the criticisms of the consultation process are concerned, the Joint Scrutiny Committee would hope that lessons have been learned about the involvement of partners. Certainly the prompt and early notice that NEAS has given the Joint Scrutiny Committee about the forthcoming Foundation Trust consultation would indicate that NEAS' approach to early and proactive consultation is developing well.
Representatives of the Joint Scrutiny Committee have considered particular domains in detail, specifically those around Patient Safety, Response Times and Patient Experience of Services.
In so far as response times are concerned, the Joint Scrutiny Committee is pleased to note that NEAS is performing above target for both Category A & B calls. It also notes that where it is not reaching its target, there are issues of the rural status of some areas of the Trust's area of responsibility, which can impact upon the response times. In addition, the Panel notes that the Trust is presently doing a piece of work around the location of some Ambulance Centres, to ensure that they are located around the centres of population. This is likely to improve response times. Members would be keen to hear how that develops.
In relation to Patient Safety, particular attention was paid to the efforts of NEAS to prevent Healthcare Associated Infections spreading. The Joint Scrutiny Committee was impressed with the efforts that NEAS goes to, particularly around the deep-cleaning schedules and ad hoc cleaning as necessary for Ambulances.
The Joint Scrutiny Committee also heard about the vulnerable children and vulnerable adults policies in operation, whereby concerns identified on ambulance visits can be relayed to the relevant local authority. It was felt that this was a positive development, which was a good example of public agencies engaging with each other proactively.
The Joint Scrutiny Committee also considered the Dignity & Respect standard. Whilst it is to be declared that NEAS has appropriate systems in place in relation to this standard, Members were particularly interested as to how people's experiences are captured. It was said that the Patient Transport Service (PTS) conducts an annual survey, which often scores in excess of 95% satisfaction, which is exceptionally high. This is felt to be positive, although there is a question to be asked about who is surveyed and whether recipients of the service feel sufficiently empowered to be critical if they wanted to be. It is felt that this is something that NEAS could consider in future years. In addition, a review by Middlesbrough Council's Health Scrutiny Panel into PTS has highlighted a number of areas of concern for PTS and NEAS has accepted that PTS is in need of a great deal of development. A satisfaction figure of 95% seems at odds with that reality, so the Joint Scrutiny Committee feels justified in asking whether that figure is entirely representative.
In addition, Members were interested to learn that the Healthcare Commission (now the Care Quality Commission) conducts an annual survey of Category C patients about their experiences, which will be published later in the year. It was suggested that the Joint Scrutiny Committee would be interested in receiving a copy of the survey for the Category C patients. In addition, it is felt that NEAS should consider how it could go about obtaining the views of service users, including qualitative feedback, to inform service delivery in future years.
The Joint Scrutiny Committee looks forward to developing its relationship with NEAS in the coming year, whilst addressing some important issues in healthcare in the Tees Valley during 2009/10. The Joint Scrutiny Committee continues to feel that at times, the Tees Valley is on the periphery of NEAS' thinking and would hope that a working relationship could develop where this feeling is dispelled.
Yours sincerely
Cllr Eddie Dryden Chair of the Tees Valley Health Scrutiny Joint Committee
Cllr Ann Cains Vice Chair of the Tees Valley Health Scrutiny Joint Committee
Name of overview and scrutiny committee 6 North Tyneside
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Maria E Lucas LLB, Solicitor Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer Quadrant
Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 32 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter Overview and scrutiny committee comments
The Silverlink North Cobalt Business Park North Tyneside NE27 OBY
Tel: (0191) 643 5316 E Mail: [email protected] Fax: (0191) 643 2431 This matter is being dealt with by: Dave Parkin
29 April 2009
Mr. S Featherstone Chief Executive North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust Bernicia House Goldcrest Way Newburn Riverside NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE15 8NY
Dear Mr. Featherstone,
Healthcare Commission Annual Health Check
Thank you for your invitation to submit a comment from the Council's Health and Well-being Sub Committee to the information provided by the Trust on the core standards to be included in your Annual Declaration. Unfortunately due to the Sub Committee's workload this year we were not in a position to give detailed consideration to the application of the core standards for 2008/09.
I can however confirm that the North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust has proactively engaged with the Sub Committee on a regular basis and has been represented at a number of meetings of the Health and Well-being Sub Committee over the past year where their contribution has been very helpful.
The Sub Committee has been represented at the Trust's Board Meetings where it has been invited to submit comments and ask questions on any of the matters under consideration. Members have visited the Control Centre where they were able to observe the day-to-day operation of the service. They were impressed by the professionalism, helpfulness and enthusiasm of the staff involved. It was noted the systems in place to ensure that the information collected from each call was used to improve the service response for patients.
Members look forward to continuing their good working relationship with the Trust.
Yours sincerely
On behalf of Maria E Lucas LLB, Solicitor Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer
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Form: FRM-BE, Response: FRR-2DDF:RX6 - Generated 01/05/09 by John Hehir - Page 33 - CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECLead, CSA North East Ambulance Service NHS Trust DECCompleter