Trust Board Febuary 2010 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBFC (1/10) 010
this be adopted as best practice.
Mr White advised that a report concerning theatre performance reporting had
been prepared by the Trust’s Internal Audit function, which had provided Limited
Assurance. He added that the report was due to be discussed at the forthcoming
Audit Committee on 4 February 2010. Mr Kirby reported that an action plan had
been developed to address the recommendations arising from the report, which
will be monitored by the Trust Theatre Board.
Mr Trotman concluded by acknowledging the good progress made with addressing
theatre utilisation and agreed to the proposal that an update on the situation
should be presented next at the May meeting of the Committee.
Mr Trotman thanked the team for their information and encouraging presentation.
ACTION:
Mr Kirby to update the Committee on progress with improving theatre
utilisation at its May meeting
5 Trust Board performance management reports
5.1 2009/10 month 9 financial position and forecast
SWBFC (1/10) 003
SWBFC (1/10) 003 (a)
SWBFC (1/10) 003 (b)
Mr Wharram reported that an in-month surplus of £160k against a target surplus of
£124k has been achieved.
In-month WTEs were noted to be 40 below plan, with the cash balance being £1.3m
greater than the revised plan as at 31 December 2009.
It was noted that activity and associated income levels had increased and
expenditure had risen in line with this trend. The Committee was advised that the
value of overperformance against contract currently stood at £7m. The
commissioners to which this overperformance relates were highlighted to be
Sandwell PCT, Heart of Birmingham tPCT, South Birmingham PCT (mainly for
ophthalmology) and the pan-Birmingham Group. Consideration has been given to
the prospect of data challenges by commissioners. Other costs noted to have been
incurred during the month were in respect of the hire of a MRI scanner on a
temporary basis and orthopaedic work that had needed to be undertaken within
the private sector, albeit on a cost neutral basis.
The WTE position was noted to have declined slightly, although expenditure
associated with bank and agency staff remains high. The Committee was advised
that the spread of agency and bank costs across the Trust was currently being
reviewed, although it had been noted that nursing budgets were currently
performing better than planned. Two significant areas where these costs are being
incurred were highlighted to be medical staff and Healthcare Assistants or support
staff. Miss Bartram remarked that while it was evident that agency and bank staff
expenditure continued to remain high, it did provide some benefit in terms of
flexibility. Professor Alderson observed that this was particularly the case for locum
staff. In terms of overtime, the deficit in middle grade cover was noted to be being
addressed, although some interim solutions are being introduced while new
medical staff are being recruited on a substantive basis.
Mr Wharram reported that capital expenditure had accelerated and the cash
balance remained healthy.
5.2 Performance monitoring report SWBFC (1/10) 004
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