Agenda item

Jonathan Lofthouse, Site Chief Executive – PRUH and South Sites (“Site Chief Executive”) provided an update on the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

The Site Chief Executive informed Members that as of that afternoon, there were 23 patients across the PRUH and South Sites with a confirmed inpatient diagnosis of COVID-19. Of these patients, 22 were in general beds and 1 was  in an intensive therapy bed. It was highlighted that the number of inpatients had  remained stable over the last four and a half months, and there did not appear to be any trends in terms of the age range and ethnicity of patients. Members were advised that Bromley’s Mass Vaccination Centre would come to natural close around mid-December 2021. In the coming weeks the PRUH site would be used to deliver third doses of the COVID-19 vaccination to healthcare staff.

The Site Chief Executive advised that in terms of the recovery of elective surgeries that had been delayed due to the pandemic, the Trust was currently

performing just below the national standard – for cancers this currently stood at 91%, compared to the national figure of 93%. It was noted this had improved greatly since the second wave of the pandemic.

With regards to the latest Friends and Family Test data, the PRUH had received high scores for the following areas of care: professional and competent; emotional and psychological support; compassion; and politeness. ?There had been some shortfalls in terms of the emergency care, which had been impacted by three main factors. This included a reduction in the number of Physicians – a number had been stranded overseas due to the pandemic however it was anticipated that this issue would shortly be resolved. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) had visited the PRUH in June 2021 and reassessed the ‘inadequate’ rating issued in November 2019. The Emergency Department was now rated as ‘requires improvement’, with nursing rated as ‘good’, which showed positive signs of improvement.

With regards to investment, the Site Chief Executive advised that two inpatient wards had been completely refurbished, and work would continue to ensure that all 18 wards were up to the same standard over a rolling two-year programme. It was noted that several of the wards were now classed as ‘dementia friendly’. An Older Person’s Assessment Unit would be opened at the PRUH in November, providing dedicated assessment and treatment spaces. It was also planned that a Rapid Diagnostic Centre would be in operation in the New Year. The Endoscopy Unit at the PRUH was receiving investment of £20m for two new buildings, housing 6 procedure rooms. Construction was expected to take 14 months to complete, and it was anticipated that ground would be broken for the initial works during December 2021.

The Site Chief Executive advised that the Trust had received a bonus payment for responding to the elective restart favourably and part of this had been used to invest in the modular theatre at Orpington Hospital. This would allow thousands more surgeries to take place each year and help to reduce waiting times. Final designs had been approved and a consultation with residents was underway. A decision on the planning permission for the 195-space car parking deck at the PRUH was expected shortly – designs had been updated to minimise disruption and a favourable outcome was anticipated. Thanks were extended to Councillors for helping to secure 400 park and ride spaces at a nearby garden centre during the period of construction. It was further noted that both Orpington Hospital and the PRUH had new staff wellbeing hubs, which could be accessed 24/7, and from December 2021 memorial gardens would be opened.

The Site Chief Executive informed Members that King’s had launched a new strategy for the coming years – ‘Strong Roots, Global Reach Strategy for King’s 2021-2026’. Three core areas for PRUH focus would be frailty, diagnostics and elective surgery. It was highlighted that there were no concerns relating to the Trusts current operating budget. Members were advised that evidential improvement relating to the emergency care standard and frailty unit would be presented at future meetings of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

On behalf of the Sub-Committee, the Chairman thanked the Site Chief Executive for his update and expressed her gratitude for all the work he had undertaken.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.