Sue Borrington, Head of Planned Care at NHS Wirral Clinical Commissioning Group introduced the report which provided an overview of the proposal for reconfiguration of Spinal Services for Cheshire and Merseyside. It was reported that the service was commissioned by NHS England, who had led the review following concerns from within the four sites currently operating the service, which found that there were unexplained variations across the providers and opportunities for greater financial efficiencies and sustainability.

The proposal was to reduce the four locations to just one location being the Walton Centre, which would offer a single referral pathway for emergency spinal surgery, access to 24/7 MRI scans, co-location with a major trauma centre and concentration of specialist expertise. The Committee was advised that various engagement had taken place at service level as advised by NHS England, and that the proposals had been led by a clinical committee who had ensured the recommendations were in line with the findings of the review and National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidance. It was further reported that it would be limited in terms of how Wirral patients would perceive the change, but that they would benefit from the reduction in variations and the concentration of specialists.

The Committee queried the reduction in the number of beds as part of the proposals, where assurances were provided that the reduction was due to not needing as many surgical beds and that there would be no reduction in services. A number of further questions were asked by members including around how the services would be commissioned in the future and the level of engagement including which organisations were consulted such as general practices and the ambulance service.

Resolved – That

1)  the report and the proposal for reconfiguration to a Single Service be noted.

2)  that due to the minimal impact on Wirral patients, it be agreed that the proposal does not represent a substantial variation in the way the service is delivered and that the proposal development process, including the approach to patient engagement, is commensurate with the scale of the proposed change.