Agenda item

The University Hospitals of Leicester submits a report to update the Commission on the reconfiguration programme.

Members will be asked to note the contents of the report.

The Deputy Chief Executive presented the report, and it was noted that:

·       The programme will provide significant investment to the UHL estate. It will bring services together and provide improvements particularly for patients by addressing existing workforce instability and duplication across three hospital sites that are six miles apart.  Separating pathways for those on waiting lists for planned care and emergency care should help prevent deferring planned care is emergencies arise.

·       A public consultation took place in 2020 with proposals to create two critical care units, one at Leicester Royal Infirmary and one at Glenfield Hospital; co-late children’s services at LRI; co-locate medical-led maternity services at LRI and midwifery unity ant Leicester General; and separate emergency and elective care where possible.

·       The national new hospitals programme will enable some of the reconfiguration – a £20billion investment programme across 40 hospitals.

·       Progress so far includes expanding critical care at LRI and Glenfield which has facilitated the movement of HPB - liver care, renal and transplant from the General Hospital to Glenfield and emergency surgery to LRI in line with consultation. The East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre has moved from Glenfield to LRI. All children’s services have been co-located at LRI, and whilst they’re currently dispersed across buildings it is intended to create a children’s hospital in future.

·       Investment is underway at the General Hospital with the construction of a £50m East Midlands Planned Care Centre to treat over one hundred thousand outpatient and day-patients. It will also include a £17m wing for a new endoscopy unit. It is envisaged the Centre will open at the end of 2024.

·       An enabling scheme at LRI has also commenced to improve the energy infrastructure to ensure sustainability and decarbonisation of buildings. It also includes preparation for the demolition of office blocks to create space for a new hospital. It is envisaged works will be complete by 2030.

In response to questions and comments from Members, it was noted that:

·       The financial envelope for delivery of the programme has increased to £640m as part of the £20bn commitment from the Department for Health and Social Care.

·       The national new hospital programme is intended for off-site construction to then be collated on-site as is the approach in other countries. Clinicians are involved in the design panel and Royal Colleges are participating at a national level to influence design anticipated in Spring 2024. The programme will not save money but will enable quicker improvements.

·       The commitment to increasing bed numbers has not changed but a review and remodelling of bed demand and capacity is taking place as part of the new hospital programme. A plan is required on the gap of beds to ensure capacity for treatment, noting patients are now treated in ambulatory care which does not require a bed but will be at hospital for part of the day for tests.
It was agreed that more information will be shared when the plan is developed.

·       The service provided at St Mary’s Birth Centre is good and on average delivers two women per week. The intention is for the service to be available to more women and relocating it at the General Hospital should improve access particularly to the east of the city. The relocation is not likely to commence until the maternity hospital at LRI is built and will be trialled to establish whether women and birthing partners identify it as a choice.

·       A standalone maternity hospital will be constructed at the LRI to include neonatal services. A new ITU will also to be created at LRI, but due to space constraints of the site, this will be part of the maternity hospital building with a connection to the main hospital.

·       Seven new theatre units will be created at the Glenfield Hospital.

·       All aspects of the scheme previously consulted on are still proposed to be delivered with additional improvements.

The Deputy Chief Executive invited Members of the Commission for a site visit to the East Midlands Planned Care Centre at Leicester General Hospital.

The Chair invited youth representatives to make comments during the discussions and in response to questions it was noted that:

·       Leicester is one of forty trusts to receive investment - £640m has been committed to be invested to improve Leicester’s hospitals.

AGREED:

·       The Commission noted the report.

·      The item to remain on the work programme for the Commission to be kept updated.