03 CoG mins 19 Mar 09 - 44KB [PDF] - Newcastle Hospitals

ACTION
09/23 Governors’ Terms of Office and Election Timetable
Mr Reed presented the schedule of expiring and vacant governorships, along with
the election timetable to fill them. The report was received and noted.
09/24 December 2008 Away Day - Action Plan
Ms Harvey reported on progress by the Development Group in implementation of
the agreed action plan. It was highlighted that the Governors’ room at the Royal
Victoria Infirmary needed to be used more. It could be used by governors to meet
up informally prior to scheduled RVI site visits. PC access was to be followed up,
including the issuing of Trust email addresses for governors. In terms of the
Membership drive, a sub-group had been established, led by Revd Dr Saunders.
The focus of activity would be on facilitating communication by governors with their
Members and using this to underpin Membership recruitment. The website would
be developed further to facilitate this and zoning of Members to governors by
Postcode would be investigated. The Development Group was to work up plans
for open days on the key hospital sites and governors were also encouraged to
canvass patients and visitors for Membership when visiting the RVI or Freeman
Hospital. Revd Dr Saunders mooted the possibility of governors manning a
recruitment stall at the hospital main entrances. It was noted that Harrogate
offered Members the opportunity to join a discount scheme and Mr Reed agreed to
follow this up. Governors with ideas about Membership recruitment were asked to
contact Mr Reed in the first instance, who would then advise the Development
Group.
Mr
Reed
09/25 Governors’ Questions and Items for the Next Agenda
i) Drain Containers
Dr Johnson commented on problems with drain containers for thoracic patients
who had returned home and could not obtain them from their GP. There was a
need for improved liaison. Sir Leonard spoke of the scope for governors to advise
on discharge policy.
ii)
Quality Measures
Dr Sanders asked if, in relation to quality accounts and quality measures, had
NHS North of Tyne accepted Dr Wall’s proposals, would the Trust have accepted
the financial rewards and penalties. Dr Walls would have been happy to discuss
these but had not been happy with some of NHS North of Tyne’s proposals. The
Chairman commented on the current work with Monitor and other Foundation
Trusts on developing the quality account.
Professor Arthur commended the Dermatology Department on its quality of care
and commented that the NHS was a service and not a business.
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