Agenda item - Children's Cancer Change Plans - update from NHS England

Update from NHSE on progress of the children’s cancer change plans following completion of the public consultation (verbal presentation)

Extract from DRAFT Brighton & Hove HOSC minutes 31 January 2024

24.1    This item was introduced by Ailsa Willens, Programme Director, Children’s Cancer Principal Treatment Centre, NHS England (London); and Sabahat Hassan, Head of Partnerships & Engagement, NHS England (South East Commissioning Directorate). Also in attendance virtually were Dr Chris Tibbs, Medical Director, Specialised Commissioning, NHS England (South East); Catherine Croucher, Consultant in Public Health, NHS England (London); Fiona Gaylor, Transforming Partners for Healthcare; and Dr Dinesh Sinha, Chief Medical Officer, NHS Sussex.

24.2    Ms Willens and Ms Hassan outlined the approach taken to the public consultation on plans to reconfigure children’s cancer care. Themes emerging from consultation responses included: travel and access (particularly the availability and cost of parking in central London); accommodation for families; ICU capacity; the potential to have greater co-location of services at the chosen site; the impact on other services on a hospital losing children’s cancer services; and concerns about a loss of continuity of care if current staff choose not to join a new provider. There was a really good level of response to the consultation, with many good ideas to improve services. All responses are being considered carefully, with a final decision about the preferred site likely in spring 2024.

24.3    In response to a question on continuity of care from Cllr Hill, Ms Willens told the committee that workforce continuity was a high priority. Commissioners are working to support staff in this period of uncertainty. Much more focused staff support will be delivered once the site decision has been made.

24.4    In response to a question on providing reassurance to people unhappy with the plans, Ms Willens replied that there have been direct conversations with many respondents. Both potential providers are committed to working with service users and their families to co-design the future service.

24.5    In reply to a question from Cllr Wilkinson on travel support, Ms Croucher told members that both providers already offer extensive support in terms of patient transport, and this will provide the foundation of future provision. Dedicated parking is a priority and it is also important to have good drop-off arrangements, so an adult carer has somewhere safe to leave their child whilst they are parking. Both providers have committed to setting up a dedicated traveller access group to work with families.

24.6    In response to a question from Cllr Wilkinson on family accommodation, Ms Croucher told the committee that both providers have family accommodation. Work will need to be done with the future provider to look at how to improve the existing accommodation and, where necessary, increase capacity.

24.7    In reply to a question from Cllr Nann on whether staff and family responses were similar, Ms Willens responded that there is a lot of commonality, and some differences. The full consultation report includes data on responses from a variety of groups.

24.8    In response to a question from Geoffrey Bowden (Healthwatch) on whether funding for these changes was secured, Ms Willens told the committee that ring-fenced funding has been set aside for the programme. Co-locating the specialist children’s cancer centre with intensive care will bring a range of benefits to enhance services.

24.9    The Chair thanked NHS colleagues for their attendance, and asked that the committee be kept informed of future developments.