Forensic executive meeting - West London Mental Health NHS Trust

Minutes of Meeting 5Forensic Executive Meeting 05 March 20075.2. Business Plan – High SecureAngela Dolan tabled the second draft of the high secure business plan forcomments. The business plan will be further amended in advance of theproposed deadline of 23 March.5.3. Update on Cost Improvement Plans [CIPs]Sean Payne reported that the CIPs were discussed at the Trust Board AwayDay on 27 February and were generally well received. Further work isrequired within the high secure Clinical Directorates to identify the fullrecurrent CIPs.Trudi Hilton reported on issues around the medicines budget and advisedthat the current competition among drug companies may not continue assome competitors may be leaving the market. The current underspend onthe budget will not be written off until the situation is clarified.Sean Payne advised that there have been pressures on ward budgets thisyear and both the Men’s Directorates at Broadmoor are looking to improvemanagement of overtime. Service Directors and Service Managers havebeen asked to agree local targets for each ward. In line with fundedmodernisation plans, there will be a significant increase in staffing levelswhen Women’s Services’ staff are redeployed in September. There is aclear expectation that this will further reduce reliance on overtime.Dr. Kevin Murray advised there needs to be a note of caution regardingSenior House Officers. National interviews are ongoing at present for alldoctors in training, who are being recruited to posts commencing in Augustand there is a need to check that provision for training is still available.Gemma Stanion emphasised that all disciplines need to be involved indiscussions on CIPs. Sean Payne agreed that this is important, whether ornot we move towards foundation trust status. Issues such as changes toshift patterns, etc., will have an impact on savings. Corporate initiatives willalso have to be taken into consideration. Jimmy Noak said it was essentialthat professional heads be involved in any discussions on cost cutting toensure a safe environment of care is maintained.5.4. Mental Health Act Commission Report / Response5.4.1. Barbara Worts reported on the MHAC report and the draft response from theForensic Division. The MHAC report was based on the Commissioners’findings after visits to the service. This is the first time the report hasincluded both Local Services and Forensic Division. The initial report wassent to the Trust in November 2006 for checking for factual inaccuracies andthe final draft was received in January and circulated on 26 January. The