Cumbria's Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee met with Sir David Henshaw, the interim Chairman of the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust, last week (22 March) for an outline of future plans for the Trust.
The committee also heard from NHS Cumbria on how it intends to commission safe services from the UHMB Trust in the future.
Sir David Henshaw made it clear that the UHMB Trust faces many challenges but that he was determined to return clinicians to the heart of decision-making; to have a clear vision for the Trust; to improve systems and processes for patients; to adopt a programme management approach to major changes needed, and to restore a sense of leadership to the organisation. He said he felt the UHMB Trust could do a lot more to improve its reputation by working more closely with the universities of Lancaster and Cumbria but that junior doctors already spoke positively about the breadth of experience they enjoyed in the UHMB
Trust's acute hospitals.
Representatives from NHS Cumbria assured the meeting that they were in early dialogue with the new leadership at the UHMB Trust and were encouraged over the shared sense of understanding over next steps.
Members of the committee stressed the importance of dialogue between commissioners and the UHMB Trust and that clinicians play a full part in agreeing change. Ultimately it is patient care that is at the heart of improvement and members urged Sir David Henshaw to make sure that they were consulted and involved in the change programme.
The Cumbria Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee has been closely monitoring concerns about maternity and other services at the UHMB Trust as well as issues around its governance arrangements since October 2011.
A further session to speak to the UHMB Trust and other parties has been arranged for 9 May.
Chairman of the committee, Cumbria County Councillor Bill Wearing, said:
"I'm pleased that Sir David Henshaw spoke to the committee in such a frank and open manner and has offered to come back to speak to again.
"This bodes well for the future as we look to reassure the local community when positive changes and improvements are demonstrated."