Agenda and minutes

To receive apologies for absence from those Members who are unable to attend the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Blagbrough, Thompson and Evans.

Toapprovethe Minutesofthemeetingof the Committeeheld on the 15 October 2024.

That the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 October 2024 be approved as a correct record.

Members will be asked to say if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have any disclosable pecuniary interests or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in any discussion of the items or participating in any vote upon the items.

Councillor Lawson declared a non-pecuniary interest in items 7 and 8 as she held a bank contract with Calderdale and Huddersfield Foundation Trust.

Most agenda items take place in public. This only changes where there is a need to consider exempt information, as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972. You will be informed at this point which items are to be recommended for exclusion and to be resolved by the Committee.

All agenda items were considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were received.

Representatives from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, and Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust will attend to provide an update on maternity services.

Contact: Yolande Myers, Principal Governance Officer Tel: 01484 221000 yolande.myers@kirklees.gov.uk

Gemma Puckett, Director of Midwifery for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) shared an update with the Committee with regards to maternity services and advised that:

•         The number of midwife vacancies had reduced but there was still some risk in relation to the skill mix of staff.

•         Calderdale Birth Centre was open 24/7 due to an increase in birth rate.

•         A review of Huddersfield Birth Centre was due to take place at the end of April.

Kerry Reedefield, Director of Midwifery at Mid-Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust (MYTT) advised the Committee that:

•         There was a fully established staffing at MYTT).

•         A 12-week consultation on Wakefield Birth Centre was continuing.

•         A 12-month review of Bronte Birth Centre would take place in September 2025.

The Committee questioned the soft launch of Bronte Birth Centre and whether this would be more widely publicised, and in addition, if the Birth Centre at Huddersfield Royal Infirmary would re-open in next three years.

Ms Puckett responded and advised that due to midwife shortages, CHFT were anticipating a difficult period over the next couple of years. The review at the end of April was to consider the demographics and complexities, and the likelihood of the Birth centre re-opening would depend on that data to ensure a workforce with the right skill set would be in place. The Committee was advised that the birth centre was presently being used as a community midwifery hub to run anti-natal and post-natal services.

The Committee queried the difficulties with regards to retention of staff and were advised that CHFT were retaining 100% of their student midwifes.

In response to the Committees query regarding anti-natal classes across both Trusts and women falling through the net, the Committee were advised that anti-natal classes were being run by the Public Health team at Calderdale Royal Hospital. A piece of work was being undertaken to understand if this could be delivered more locally within communities, as well as understanding the best approach to engage with the hardest to reach women i.e. via social media, virtually etc.

The Committee queried the proportion of international recruitment and if there were places at university for all students wanting to train as midwives. Ms Reedefield responded and informed the Committee that MYTT had a large proportion of international midwives as the current workforce was an ageing one, so there was an increasing need to fill the gaps.

The Committee highlighted the Local Maternity Network System (LMNS) workstream and the 30% dropout rate and the Committee noted the negative picture portrayed around maternity services and previous issues with funding which had impacted on the number of people willing to train to become midwives. Shortened programmes and apprenticeship programmes were an idea of growing the workforce but this did not resolve the issue immediately. There was a constant drive to recruit and grow the workforce to develop midwifery pathways.

The Committee questioned whether maternity services could be presented in a more positive way to encourage  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Representatives from Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust will attend to provide an update on the Hospital Reconfiguration Programme.

Contact: Yolande Myers Principal Governance Officer Tel: 01484 221000 Yolande.myers@kirklees.gov.uk

Anna Basford, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Transformation, Rob Aitchison, Deputy Chief Executive, Dr Mark Davies, A&E Consultant and Clinical Lead for Reconfiguration and Stuart Baron, Deputy Director of Finance attended as representatives from CHFT to update the Committee on the Hospital Reconfiguration Programme.

A presentation outlined key improvements which included enhanced patient safety, workforce wellbeing, and environmental sustainability. The development of Target Operating Models (TOMs) was highlighted as a strategic enabler for clinical transformation, supporting the Trust’s five-year plan and facilitating collaboration across specialties. Estate plans for both Calderdale Royal Hospital (CRH) and Huddersfield Royal Infirmary (HRI) were reviewed, including new A&E departments, theatres, inpatient wards, and learning centres. The Committee noted the positive feedback received following the opening of the new HRI A&E, including praise from the CQC and NHS England’s National Medical Director.

The Committee noted the design of the new clinical building at CRH, which incorporated feedback from public engagement and aligned with net-zero ambitions. The building would feature modern inpatient wards, dedicated emergency departments for adults and children, and sustainable construction methods. The Committee was advised of the use of immersive technology in the design process and the emphasis on wayfinding, privacy, and dignity. Updates were also provided on internal developments such as the maternity floor and cardiac catheter labs, with construction scheduled to begin in spring 2026. Communications and stakeholder engagement activities were noted, including digital updates, media coverage, and statutory planning consultations with local residents.

During discussions, the Committee were provided with an overview of the TOM which were described as internal tools guiding the future model of care delivery. These models were not yet public facing but were instrumental in shaping service development within the Trust. The TOMs aimed to ensure consistency and innovation across care streams such as planned care, theatres, and medical non-elective pathways. The models were structured to reflect the types of patients and services, providing a framework for future service configuration.

The Committee was advised that the locations of services remained consistent with those previously consulted on, and that the reconfiguration was contingent upon the completion of new builds, which would serve as catalysts for service transformation. The TOM were fluid documents, designed to adapt to technological and clinical advancements. The Committee noted that the transformation extended beyond physical relocation, focusing on delivering care more efficiently, such as the consolidating of acute medical teams on one site enabling direct access from GPs and ambulance services, thereby reducing unnecessary emergency department admissions.

The Committee was informed that the Trust had received approval to proceed with the Full Business Case (FBC), following support for the Outline Business Case (OBC).  Dialogue with the Department of Health and Treasury suggested that approval timelines would be shortened to support the Trust’s 2029 reconfiguration target. The Committee expressed concerns about national structural changes, but was reassured that appropriate pathways and relationships remained intact.

The Committee commented that CHFT had managed winter pressures better than many trusts, avoiding corridor care,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.