North Western Regional Council – Annual Business Meeting

Concur Expense Code: S250 CT406

18.30 on Tuesday 22nd September 2015

Bolton Education Centre
Bolton Hospital, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton, BL4 0JR

Concur Expense Code S250: CT406A

Attendees:

J S Bamrah

Kumar Kotegaonkar

Sivasubramanian Meiarasu

Alan Russell

Kailash Chand

Stephen Watkins

Krishna Korlipara

David McCarthy

Indeewar Kapila

Nick Flatt

Amanda Bellis

Jack Blake

David Wrigley

John Hughes

D K Banerjee

Simon Kelly

Claire Ashley

Eva Allen

Peter Forster

Christine Sharkey

  1. APOLOGIES

Tom Kane

Jon Lipton

Tracey Vell

Rob Barnett

Ramesh Rautrey

Nigel Wilson

Ewan Sim

Surendra Kumar

Gurpreet Singh

Aaron Borbora

Anil Jain

  1. MINUTES OF LAST ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING (attached)

Agreed

  1. MATTERS ARISING

None

  1. SPEAKER: EVA ALLEN, SENIOR EMPLOYMENT ADVISER – ‘RAISING CONCERNS’ - PILOT IN THE NORTH WEST

Eva described the pilot in the North West focussing on supporting members in raising concerns from the beginning of the process. The Pilot has been prompted by the “Freedom to Speak Up” report in February 2/15, Sir Robert Francis QC

Evais the dedicated local adviser for cases that meet the criteria, offering general advice on how to raise concerns within the Trust’s whistleblowing policy and review correspondence to ensure appropriate. The role is not to assess the strength of the case, but to support members going forward.

EA will also promote the service to groups, LNC’s committees etc., advising how staff can be supported and what would be helpful, and could improve the process.

Six Trusts have been identified within the NW to agree a programme. No GP Practices at this time but in time. LMCs being spoken to at the end of November.

The BMA can still support members outside of the pilote.g. if entwined with potential disciplinary/grievance etc, then a colleague would assist but adviser would take advice from Eva.

Introduction of “Freedom to speak up Guardians” appointed by Trusts to ensure that the principles and action within the report are implemented and that actions are followed through and feedback received. Thereby closing the loop.

FPC aware of pilot and automatically referred to Eva, and the published email address goes directly to her.

The main aim is to connect with members who haven’t raised a concern yet but want to and need advice and support on how to progress it.

N.B. CCGs are not “prescribed persons” under the act at the moment.

  1. DR STEVE WATKINS, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH STOCKPORT

“UPDATE ON PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES”

How successful has the transition of public health to Local Authorities been?

SW advised that about 1/3 have been successful, at the other extreme there is about 1/4 - 1/3 which have seriously failed in their public health duties. Somewhere between 1/3 – ½ the picture has been intermediate – somethings well/badly.

In Greater Manchester most of our LA’s are in the middle group. Only 1 or 2 in the good category.

There has been an issue regarding how LA’s have viewed consultants’ salaries and guidance has been produced, and the BMA have put a lot of effort into helping members to strengthen their claims. In terms of funding there has been a one-off cut in LA and it is unclear if this will continue, which would be potentially disastrous.

Government seems to be saying that public health is not part of the NHSeg health visiting etc. which is an absurd distinction but designed to justify budget cuts.

Public Health funding is a continuing concern, and the situation is not helped by LA’s not spending the money properly, which impacts those who are.

In terms of Local Manchester devo: we are not sufficiently well informed. It is a complex picture. The team have been economical with information and tensions are building.

There are huge opportunities and threats in GM devo. We could see a dynamic prevention oriented programme of reform, and pioneer of change. However funding may be cut and then GM placed in the position forced to carry through cuts and not do what it wants to do.

SW said he felt positive in leadership but concerned that may be unsuccessful. Other areas of country do not have the same infrastructure or leadership and model may not transfer well across the country.

Commitment to health and social care, transport etc, prevention, CSR bid may not materialise.

In summary it is a complex situation with serious uncertainty.

A discussion took place regarding the Lansley legacy, campaigning and trainees

  1. REGIONAL COUNCIL GUIDANCE FOR THE 2015 ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING (attached)

PF explained nominations conducted under old rules. 9 nominations for the 6 available seats.

ELECTION FOR SIX MEMBERS OF THE NORTH WEST ASSEMBLY TO SERVE ON THE EXECUTIVE

The following six members were duly elected to the NWRC Executive Committee;

  1. Krishna Korlipara
  2. Nick Flatt
  3. Alan Russell
  4. Indeewar Kapila
  5. John Hughes
  6. SivasubramanianMeiarasu
  1. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

a)Motion

Proposed David Wrigley

Seconded JS Bamrah

“That BMA NW Regional Council offers its full support to our Junior Doctor Colleagues in any and all lawful action that seeks to achieve a contract that is fair for Junior Doctors.”

b)HSC Act. In 3rd year, much of what was said has come true. For example, Addenbrookes was flagship and now in special measures. Chaos in General Practice.

Healthier Together,Leela Williams spoke to NWRC in September 2013. There will be 4 specialist hospitals in the Greater Manchester region. Created a lot of concern among BMA members re:Wythenshawe Hospital. Stepping Hill has been designated based ongeographical grounds.

A discussion took place regarding the public consultation which voted for 5 hospitals. However, 4 ‘super’ Hospitals are identified and there is a perception that acute and emergency medical services at Wythenshawe would be adversely affected. The legal view sought by the consultants is that the decision is “unlawful”. There was a poor response to letter before action at a recent meeting, little progress was made. Now starting the process of judicial review.

PF advised that all the Unions on theNorth West Social Partnership Forum had signed a letter condemning the failure to consult on Healthier Together programme

c)Simon Stevens meeting on Friday 18th September was productive. Minutes will be available.

d)Consultant contract – negotiations continuing.

e)Juniors Contract going to be imposed in March 2015. Looking grim and may have to ballot for strike action before current legislation goes through. BMA would be looking to all crafts to support the Junior Doctors.

A discussion took place regarding getting medical students involved and the likely exodus to Scotland and Wales. NHS Employers have arranged 2 meetings, one on 29/9 tickets all sold, so the Medical students are preparing for action outside the meeting.

There is an Emergency Junior Doctors Meeting on Monday28 September. It was recognised that this was a crucial time for the profession and that there was a lot of misinformation about. BMA to meet on Saturday to decide on action.

Meetings to be put on List Server.

h) Devo Manchester

Thanks to BMA staff and all who attended the very successful Webinar event in September.

JS said that there is a keenness for the BMA to be involved in the DevoManc project. JS put it to Ian Williamson – they would like a nominee to attend the Clinical Reference Group. JS would like to be nominated(as chair of regional council) and have a deputy.

Deputies to attend when the subject matter is relevant. Consultant (IK), Junior Doctor and student (Jack Blake)

i) PF and JS are preparing a list of speakers for 2015.

  1. HONORARY SECRETARY’S REPORT

KK advised of a BMA Activist workshop on 27/8 – presentation from Scotland waiting for minutes and will distribute.

  1. REGIONAL CO ORDINATOR’S REPORT

a)Healthier together and Devo-Manc

b)Vanguard sites – trying to gather intelligence on sites – currently a dearth of information

  1. DATES OF MEETINGS – 2015/16
  1. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

David McCarthy advised that, as a point of reference regarding the seriousness of the JD contract changes, that 1600 applications to GMC in 3 days, re-working abroad. This is indicative of the mobilisation of appetite for relocation formally and informally. If new contract comes in he will lose £9k as year and he would consider emigrating. Some colleagues are considering giving up medicine altogether.

There is also concern amongst JD’s that the consultant negotiations continuing when juniors are up against it. A discussion continued regarding the all the factors that had to be taken into consideration in the decision for the consultants to continue negotiations eg patient impact, media onslaught re uncaring doctors, and the risk that the contract would be imposed. So the negotiations continued for the time being.

The meeting agreed that the profession must unite behind the juniors.

There was further discussion regarding a “7 day working” pilot in Bolton where one speciality was carrying out non-emergency/routine weekend work for 6 weeks to see how well received and what costs incurred. There is a need to define what the offering is and understand that it is not at zero cost. We also need to understand if patients actually want it.

Next meeting Tuesday 15 December 2015