January 2012 - Sandwell & West Birmingham Hospitals

SWBTB (1/12) 286 (a)
appropriate timeframes within the care pathway to be met. There would be
telemedicine links between the hyper-acute unit, ED and OPD.
Option 6b (As above but with Hyper-acute unit at Sandwell Hospital)
Provides a two site model with one hyper-acute stroke unit and high risk TIA services
located at Sandwell Hospital. Rehabilitation services would be provided at both City
and Sandwell Hospitals.
7.3 National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT)
The National Clinical Advisory Team (NCAT) undertook a review of the project, on January
10 th 2012, with regard to the project’s clinical aspects. Whilst we have yet to receive their
written report, their verbal feedback endorsed the clinical case for change and the need to
consolidate acute stroke and TIA services on one site. They strongly supported the direction
of travel and if anything were surprised these changes had not already been made.
NCAT felt both of the short listed service models were appropriate and whilst they feel all
inpatient service on one site leads to better outcomes they recognise (especially after their
session with patients/carers) the importance of local access for rehabilitation and so felt the
service model with rehabilitation on both sites is also valid.
The written report from the review will be submitted to the SHA with the expectation that this
will published on their website.
7.4 Equality Impact Assessment
The Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010 requires public sector organisations
to undertake an Equality Analysis of the impact of their decisions on groups with
characteristics protected by legislation.
Sandwell PCT has an Equality Impact Assessment methodology and process in place that
enables it to assess the impact of its current or intended policies, programmes and service
delivery for any disadvantageous experiences or outcomes for protected groups; and to take
appropriate and proportionate action to address issues identified. As Sandwell PCT is the
lead organisation for the project this methodology will be used.
The Project Board has identified the requirement to conduct equality impact assessments
(EqIA) at each stage of this service reconfiguration project. This will support the process and
provide evidence that consideration of equality has been embedded into each stage of the
project. The phases within the EqIA process are:
Phase 1 – EqIA of Stroke and TIA Service Options
Phase 2 – EqIA Implementation of selected Stroke and TIA Service option
Phase 3 – EqIA Delivery of Stroke and TIA Services
An initial EqIA screening workshop to support phase 1 was held on Friday 2nd December
2011. Participants included patients, carers, clinical staff, Public Health Consultant
and commissioners. The workshop identified a number of issues and communities for
example, people from Indian, Black Caribbean and Irish communities who may potentially
be disadvantaged by the outcome given the prevalence of stroke and TIA in these
communities. The results of the EqIA workshop have been taken into account as part of the
consultation plan i.e. the plan will ensure consultation with these specific communities within
our local population.
8. FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS
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