Jacqui Scott, Chief Executive Officer – Bromley Healthcare (“Chief Executive Officer”) provided an update on the Bromley Healthcare CQC Action Plan.

The LBB Assistant Director for Integrated Commissioning advised that Bromley Healthcare was commissioned by the Integrated Commissioning Board (ICB), to whom they were accountable for their performance. As previously reported, following the CQC inspection that resulted in assurance arrangements being put in place, regular meetings had been held in relation to the progress being made against the action plan, which had been put in place in spring 2022. It was noted that Bromley Healthcare’s services were commissioned by a number of other Local Authorities, and that these authorities were taking part in the assurance arrangements. It was highlighted that, overall, the ICB were very satisfied with the work being undertaken by Bromley Healthcare and positive feedback had been received from the CQC. The ICB felt assured that Bromley Healthcare were doing what was required, and at a sufficient pace.

The Chief Executive Officer informed Members that, since that last meeting of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee, regular meetings with commissioners had continued to take place. There was also regular engagement meeting between Bromley Healthcare and the CQC – the last one had taken place in August 2022, and it was considered that positive progress was being made. It was noted that an engagement meeting had been scheduled for the end of November 2022, however this had been stood down and an alternative date was in the process of being arranged.

Areas of focus had included work on clinical governance, and a Chief Medical Officer and two Clinical Directors had now started in post. The Chief Executive Officer advised that there was just one area of the plan which still had actions outstanding, which related to lone working. Work was being finalised to ensure that staff across the organisation had a lone working device, which it was noted had been delayed due to connectivity issues in certain parts of the borough. Another area of continued focus related to record keeping – their Board had been provided with an update on the various workstreams and an external audit was just about to commence. For all of the key workstreams, Bromley Healthcare had tried to include external assurance, provided by KPMG, and the results were anticipated to be received by the end of March 2023. The Chief Executive Officer said that over the last year, Bromley Healthcare had focussed internally, to ensure that they were doing the basics as well as they possibly could. Bromley Healthcare was now looking at its strategy and over the last three months had put a development process in place, working alongside Kaleidoscope Social Enterprise, to engage with partners, patients and staff. These responses were now being consolidated, and incorporated into the new strategy.

With regards to partnership working, Bromley Healthcare had not been directly impacted by the recent strike action. The only union that had been balloted within the organisation was the Royal College of Physiotherapists, and the threshold for strike action had not been met. The organisation had supported the wider system during this period to ensure that there was a good flow throughout the services.

The Chief Executive Officer noted that a particular area of challenge was recruitment of Health Visitors and District Nurses – to help reduce vacancies, some successful international recruitment had been undertaken and another cohort of Band 5 nurses had recently started a bespoke training programme. The Local Authority had held a recruitment fair the previous day – a number of leads had been provided, which the team were now following up. It was noted that Bromley Healthcare had recently held its annual awards to thank staff, and recognise the work undertaken.

In response to a question regarding the barriers to recruitment, the Chief Executive Officer said that there was a national shortage of nurses, and Bromley Healthcare was doing everything it could to try and recruit. The Band 5 readiness programme was an initiative used to help support the challenges faced – three times a year, ten Band 5 nurses undertook a 12-week bespoke training programme to prepare them to join teams with the required competencies. The organisation had also worked to develop a career pathway within District Nursing.

In response to questions, the Chief Executive Officer advised that Health Visitors were now referred to as Public Health Nurses. Across the organisation, Bromley Healthcare was trying to get clinicians and support staff working at the very top of their licence. Some of the newly qualified Band 5 nurses within Health Visiting had been involved in a programme linked with a university. As the Health Visiting service was both universal and targeted, it was sometimes appropriate for nursery nurses to provide some of the checks, under supervision.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Care and Health said she was content with the way things were proceeding. It was highlighted that, since spring 2022, the Chief Executive Officer had attended every meeting of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee to provide feedback and reassurance in relation to the action plan.

The Chairman thanked the Chief Executive Officer for her update to the Sub-Committee.

RESOLVED that the update be noted.