Agenda item

Representatives from West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts will provide an update on its work programme.

Contact: Yolande Myers, Principal Governance Officer

The Committee received an update from the West Yorkshire Association of Acute Trusts (WYAAT) regarding its ongoing collaborative work across the region. The briefing outlined WYAAT’s role as a provider collaborative, not a statutory organisation, comprising six NHS trusts working together to address shared challenges in acute hospital services. The Committee noted that WYAAT aimed to reduce unwarranted variation and improve access, outcomes, and patient experience across West Yorkshire and Harrogate.

The Committee was informed that WYAAT operated under a Committee in Common governance model, where Chairs and Chief Executives of the six member trusts met to direct the collaborative programme. Decisions supported by this committee required formal approval by each trust board. WYAAT also reported progress to the ICB, with the ICB retaining responsibility for decisions affecting patient access to services.

Members noted the progress of several key programmes. The Pharmacy Aseptics initiative had begun production at an interim site, with the aim of reducing reliance on commercial suppliers and freeing up nursing time. The Pathology programme had advanced with the deployment of a single Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) and new diagnostic equipment, including the Centre for Laboratory Medicine in Leeds, enhancing efficiency and clinical decision-making.

The Imaging programme had successfully implemented over 250 home reporting stations and a shared reporting solution, enabling cross-site radiology collaboration. Additionally, all trusts had adopted AI software for Chest X-rays, supporting clinicians in diagnosing conditions such as lung cancer and pneumonia. These developments were expected to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce delays in treatment.

The Committee was updated on the Planned Care programme, which focused on reducing waiting times through productivity improvements, benchmarking, and implementation of national recommendations such as Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT). Collaborative efforts across trusts had also supported innovations like patient-initiated follow-up and virtual appointments, with clinical networks playing a key role in driving these improvements.

Procurement collaboration had yielded significant cost savings, with £2.3 million saved in the previous year through joint purchasing. WYAAT was exploring a more formalised procurement structure to enhance future savings. The Committee also heard about the work of the Integrated Stroke Delivery Network (ISDN), which had launched a new website for post-discharge support and implemented AI tools for stroke detection.

In response to the national 10 Year Health Plan, WYAAT had begun reviewing how to align its services with the plan’s strategic shifts: moving care from hospital to community, focusing on prevention, and embracing digital transformation. The review included exploring integrated neighbourhood health models and cross-trust collaboration to optimise use of assets and ensure equitable access to care.

Finally, the Committee discussed the implications of recent structural changes to the NHS, including the absorption of NHS England into the Department of Health and Social Care and mandated reductions in ICB and provider running costs. WYAAT was actively engaging with the ICB and partners to manage this transition, recognising the importance of provider collaboration in delivering the future NHS operating model.

During discussions, the Committee commented on the following issues: -

• Members acknowledged WYAAT’s growing role in shaping services due to changes in NHS commissioning structures.
• The Committee will consider how best to scrutinise WYAAT’s work as its influence increases.
• Concerns were raised about the lack of reference to emergency care in the WYAAT briefing, despite its importance to public confidence in the NHS.
• It was clarified that emergency care was primarily addressed at the local “Place” level, involving primary care and community services, rather than through WYAAT collaboration.
• WYAAT did support best practice sharing in emergency care, including deployment of same-day emergency care models across trusts.
• Questions were raised about the effectiveness of centralising laboratory services, particularly microbiology, and whether it delivered the expected benefits.
• It was explained that the new laboratory at St James’s Hospital offers extended hours and advanced automation, which improved turnaround times and mitigated risks associated with sample transport.
• The location of the new aseptics hub was confirmed to be on an industrial estate near the M621/M62, chosen for its accessibility to all partner trusts.

RESOLVED

1)    That WYAAT be thanked for their comprehensive and informative report.

2)    That further updates be brought to the Committee when appropriate.