Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Subject: Winter Peformance 2023-24
Date of meeting: 10 July 2024
Report of: Chair of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Contact Officer: Giles Rossington, Policy, Partnerships & Scrutiny Team Manager
Email: giles.rossington@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: All wards
Key Decision: No
Note: Urgency
By reason of the special circumstances below, and in accordance with section 100B(4)(b) of the 1972 Act, the Chair of the meeting has been consulted and is of the opinion that this item should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Note: Reasons for urgency
The special circumstances for non-compliance with Council Procedure Rule 3, Access to Information Procedure Rule 5 and Section 100B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), (items not considered unless the agenda is open to inspection at least five days in advance of the meeting) were that NHS colleagues were obliged to follow pre-election period guidance for the NHS, which meant that they were unable to contribute to reports published within the General Election pre-election period.
1.1 This report provides the committee with information on the performance of the local health & care system across winter 2023-24.
2.1 Overview & Scrutiny notes the contents of this report and its appendices.
3.1 Health & Care systems typically experience a surge in activity during the winter months. This is partly due to seasonal infectious illnesses (flu, norovirus); but also because colder weather exacerbates a range of pre-existing problems (e.g. respiratory and circulatory conditions). Extreme weather may also lead to greater levels of activity. The presence of Covid presents an additional risk at the current time. Increases in demand for services can put a severe strain on systems, most obviously emergency healthcare. This is particularly the case when systems are at or near to capacity at all times of the year.
3.2 In order to manage this seasonal demand surge, health & care systems are required to develop whole system (e.g. Sussex) winter plans. In November 2023, NHS commissioners and BHCC Health & Adult Social Care (HASC) presented on Sussex winter planning to the Brighton & Hove Health & Wellbeing Board: https://democracy.brighton-hove.gov.uk/documents/s194243/Sussex%20Health%20Care%20Winter%20Approach%202023-24.pdf It was agreed that a follow-up report outlining performance against this plan would be reported to the HOSC in summer 2024 (see the information provided by NHS Sussex in Appendix 1).
4.1 Not relevant to this information report.
5.1 Not relevant to this information report.
6.1 Not relevant to this information report.
7.1 There are no legal implications to this report.
Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted (dd/mm/yy):
8.1 None directly to this report for information.
9.1 None directly to this report for information.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 None directly to this report for information.
11. Procurement implications
11.1 None identified.
12. Crime & disorder implications:
12.1 None identified.
13.1 Members are asked to note health and care system performance across the past winter and to note the lessons learnt for future planning.
Supporting Documentation
1. Information on system performance winter 2023-24 provided by NHS Sussex.