The Joint Scrutiny Panel for Pennine Care (Mental Health) Trust discussed several key issues, including the 2024/25 planning update, the NHS Staff Survey 2023 results, and the Annual Sustainability / Net Zero progress report. The panel also agreed on topics for the 2024/25 programme.

2024/25 Planning Update

Anthony Hassall, Chief Executive of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, provided an update on the 2024/25 planning. Despite the absence of national planning guidance, the Trust and the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board (ICB) are progressing with system-level plans. The workforce plan anticipates growth of 200-300 full-time roles, primarily in community teams and admission prevention. However, the Trust faces challenges in recruitment, with approximately 480 vacancies and a reliance on temporary staff.

The workforce plan aims to contain agency spend within a reduced ceiling of 3.2% of total pay. Key planning assumptions include meeting operational and financial targets, reconciling finance, workforce, performance, and activity, and maintaining static Covid levels. The Trust also aims for a 5% turnover as part of the Cost Improvement Programme (CIP), with 75% being recurrent.

Concerns were raised about the £15 million savings required, given that 80% of costs are workforce-related. The issue of Out of Area Placements (OAPs) was also discussed, with some patients currently placed as far away as Essex. A new female Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is set to open in Stockport in May 2024. Members suggested awareness sessions in partnership with Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise (VCFSE) organisations for young people with neurodevelopmental or neurodivergent disorders.

NHS Staff Survey 2023

The NHS Staff Survey 2023 saw a 48% response rate, the highest to date for the Trust. Scores were better than the previous year and above the national average across all nine themes. Notably, 70% of staff would recommend Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust as a place to work, and 81% agreed that patient care is a top priority. Areas for development include targeted work with specific staff groups and improving reporting and support for staff experiencing harassment.

Annual Sustainability / Net Zero Progress Report

The Chief Executive presented the Annual Sustainability / Net Zero progress report, a requirement of the care provider contract with the ICB. The report details greenhouse gas emissions, carbon reduction projections, and the Trust’s strategy to achieve NHS carbon reduction targets. The Trust aims for net zero carbon by 2040 for emissions it controls directly and by 2045 for wider emissions it can influence. The report also provides evidence to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on the Trust's environmental and sustainability actions.

In response to member queries, the Chief Executive noted that the Trust does not procure single-use plastics and is working towards using hybrid or electric vehicles to reduce its carbon footprint.

Future Programme Topics

The panel agreed on several topics for the 2024/25 programme, including updates on the budget, volunteering, violence and aggression, clinical quality challenges, Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), mental health in schools, and the estates strategy.

For more details, you can refer to the Minutes - 13032024 Joint Scrutiny Panel for Pennine Care Mental Health Trust and the Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust Presentation.