Agenda item - Chairs Communications

29.1    The Chair gave the following communications:

Following very high demand for health services at the end of the year a critical incident was put in place across Sussex. This allowed the NHS to put in additional measures and use all available capacity across the health and care system. Although this has now been stepped down, all services remain extremely busy and NHS services in Sussex currently remain in business continuity with additional measures in place and people may continue to experience disruption over the coming weeks.

Additional changes were also required during the recent industrial action.

I am sure later in the year HOSC will have a full report on performance over the winter as a whole but in the meantime, can I ask the public to please think carefully about the best service for your needs.

Only use 999 and A&E departments for serious or life-threatening emergencies.

Remember you can get expert advice about minor health concerns from a pharmacist and that NHS111 provides support 24 hours a day online or over the phone and will direct you to the most appropriate service for your need.

With Covid and flu still circulating at high levels, make sure you’ve had all the vaccines you’re eligible for so you have the best possible protection against serious illness.

Covid vaccine appointments can be booked online or by calling 119, or walk-in sessions remain available for adults at Hove Tesco, Hove Polyclinic and St Peter’s Church each week.

Flu jabs can be booked at many pharmacies in the city.

Find out more or make a booking at www.nhs.uk/wintervaccinations or by calling 119.

Finally, members may recall that we had planned to have an item on Trans healthcare at this meeting, with a particular focus on the new Sussex gender dysphoria service pilot. This was something that I had originally asked to come to the October 2022 HOSC, but was delayed while the tender for the Sussex service was being concluded.

The contract has now been awarded. However, after the announcement of the award, it swiftly became clear that elements of the new contract had caused considerable upset in the local Trans community, and that NHS commissioners and the new provider needed to do much more work on the design and implementation of the service with the community and with clinicians before the pilot could begin. This work is now underway, and I have accepted that it wouldn’t be appropriate to have these issues discussed at a public forum like HOSC before community engagement has been concluded.

I have received assurances from NHSE commissioners that they remain committed to providing the best possible care for Trans people, and that they will definitely be able to come to the April HOSC meeting to talk about the full range of specialist Trans services, included the gender dysphoria pilot, specialist adult services and service for young people.