Issue - meetings

To receive an update from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust.

The Committee received an update on the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust from Raghuv Bhasin, Director of Systems Partnerships.

During the discussion of this item, the following points were made:

·       Raghuv Bhasin outlined current key areas of focus for the Trust:

Ø  Pressure on the Emergency Department – a 20% increase in attendances had been seen compared to the same period in 2019/20, the second highest increase in the South East.  This had put pressure on staff and capacity within the Department. Safety and quality was prioritised, with patients being seen within the first 15 minutes for an initial assessment.  A campaign was being launched around winter pressures which would focus on three principle themes; being prepared for winter; knowing which service to choose; and engaging with primary care in multiple different ways.

Ø  Elective recovery – there was a significant backlog due to Covid.  The Trust was one of few Trusts in the country that had maintained its referrals throughout the pandemic.  However, there were less referrals as fewer patients had visited their GP during the pandemic.  The Trust was trying to deliver elective activity over and above levels delivered in 2019/20.

Ø  Safety and quality – ensuring that patients with an urgent need, such as having cancer, received rapid access to treatment.  All patients on waiting lists were risk assessed, ensuring that capacity was maximised.

Ø  Impact of Covid – case rates were rising.  A slight increase in hospitalisations were being seen.  There were about 40 patients at any one time with Covid, some in intensive care.  Covid had had a big impact on staff resilience.  Staff in intensive care and respiratory wards had found it particularly challenging to take annual leave.  Continuing to operate at such a high level during the pandemic had had a big psychological impact.   The Trust was focusing on staff resilience and wellbeing.  Precautions such as social distancing and mask wearing, to minimise Covid infections were continuing.

Ø  Partnership working – the Chief Executive had visited a large number of primary care practices to understand how the Trust could improve the interface between the Trust and Primary Care.  The Trust was working more closely with Berkshire Healthcare to deliver more joined up services, such as the Long Covid clinic, which was jointly provided.  Work was being undertaken with Berkshire West Integrated Partnership regarding priorities for the next year.

Ø  Health inequalities – an analysis had been carried out of patients who did not attend out patient appointments.  There was a disproportionate amount in the lower income decile.  The Trust was working to engage more and to provide improved access to outpatient appointments, to minimise health inequalities.  Four Public Health priorities had been developed.

Ø  Development and growing the organisation – a five-year partnership had been signed with the University of Reading (Health Innovation Partnership).  In addition, the Trust continued to invest in its Digital Hospital, developing new patient portals, electronic models of consent and a digital approach to outpatient appointments.  Members were also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41