The Better Healthcare Programme Horton General Hospital

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were the original proposals for changing services at the Horton referred to the Independent Reconfiguration Panel (IRP)?
Oxfordshire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (HOSC) referred the proposals for changing services at the Horton to the IRP in 2008. The IRP reviewed the proposals and published their recommendations and report in March (available on their website http://www.irpanel.org.uk/view.asp?id=56).

They made several recommendations that triggered the setting up of the Better Healthcare Programme.
How many people use the Horton General Hospital? Will the Horton stay General?
The catchment area for the hospital covers a population of almost 190,000.

Compared to some general hospitals, this is a relatively small catchment area and this has contributed to the clinical issues that triggered the previous proposals and although these were rejected, the Independent Reconfiguration Panel confirmed that the hospital will need to change. There is no doubt that the local community value the hospital and the services provided and the aim of the programme is to find a solution that will ensure all services are appropriate, safe and sustainable.

In line with the strategy for health services for Oxfordshire, opportunities will be sought to bring a wider range of services closer to where people live. This could mean additional services being offered at the hospital reducing the number of people having to travel to Oxford.
What is happening to services now?
At this stage there are no long-term plans or options for the Horton General Hospital. The PCT asked the Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust to develop a plan that secures the current range of services for the duration of this programme (2 years), and this interim plan has been agreed. It is only when we get into a later phase of the programme will we be looking at the services to be provided from the Horton site. These plans will address the recommendations of the IRP to 'retain and develop services at the Horton General Hospital'.
What has been happening over the duration of the BHP?
Public engagement

Throughout the duration of the BHP there has been strong engagement from the local community.  From the beginning of the programme all those affected by decisions had an opportunity to express their views.  Informal events were organised and opportunities for sharing views anonymously were provided. The BHP also engaged with the wider community by developing contacts with community groups and providing a range of opportunities for getting involved.

BHP events were held in Brackley, Bicester, Banbury and Chipping Norton. These were used to share information about the Better Healthcare Programme and the findings of the Health Needs Assessment, listening to the views of local people and answering their questions.

Community Partnership Forum

The role of the Community Partnership Forum is ensuring all stakeholders views are heard and taken into account. Activities for involvement have been varied to allow people to engage in a way that suits them.

If you would like to find out more about the forum then please contact either:

Julia Cartwright, Chair of the Community Partnership Forum:
Email: Julia.cartwright@btinternet.com

Or Victoria Bowen, PA to the Chair of the Community Partnership Forum:
Email: Victoria.bowen@cherwell-dc.gov.uk

Programme Board

The Programme Board acts as a steering group for the Better Healthcare Programme and includes representation from:

- Cherwell District Council
- West Oxfordshire District Council
- Oxfordshire County Council
- South Northamptonshire Council
- Interim Patient and Public Involvement Forum /LINks
- Local GP from the North Oxfordshire Practice Based Commissioning Consortia
- Northamptonshire Teaching PCT
- Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals NHS Trust

The Chair of the Community Partnership Forum is also a member of the Programme Board.

Oxfordshire Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee and South Central Strategic Health Authority have observer status on the Programme Board.

Meetings of the Programme Board take place in public and papers are publicly available via the PCT website.

To help improve public participation with the Programme all Board meetings are broadcast via webcam. See full list of meeting dates.
What are the main issues facing the Horton General Hospital?
European Working Time Directive (EWTD) - limits the number of hours an employee can work. In the NHS this is having a dramatic impact on the way doctors work and subsequently the way that services are delivered.

Training Accreditation - Smaller acute hospitals, such as the Horton General Hospital, see a smaller number of patients overall and therefore trainee doctors might not benefit from sufficient clinical experience required to meet training standards.

Recruitment challenges - Junior and middle grade doctors are in short supply within some specialties, including paediatrics and obstetrics, and this is a national picture rather than a local one which makes for a highly competitive market.
The Oxford Radcliffe NHS Trust is applying for foundation status, what does this mean for the future of the Horton General Hospital?
NHS foundation trusts are a new type of hospital trust in England. The aim is to devolve decision-making from central government control to local organisations with greater accountability to the communities they serve.

Foundation trusts have freedoms which allow organisations to set their own local targets, based on local needs allowing them to be more responsive to the needs and wishes of local people.

More information can be found on the Department of Health website: http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Healthcare/Secondarycare/NHSfoundationtrust/
What is the difference between Primary and Secondary Care?
Primary care is the term for the health services that play a central role in the local community, for example, in health centres, schools, pharmacies, dentists and opticians and would include the care provided by GPs, midwives and community nurses.

Patients seen in secondary care will have been referred by their GP and the care usually takes place in a hospital setting.
How can I have my say?
All Programme Board meetings have time set aside for members of the public to raise questions.

For members of the public who are unable to attend the meeting, questions can be submitted in advance to the Programme office via email: bhp@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk

To have your say at future meetings there will be an opportunity to ask questions once the papers have been published. The deadline for questions will be the morning of the day before the meeting.
How can I keep up to date with developments?
Newsletters and other updates are posted on this website. See News/Briefings > Better Healthcare Programme Horton General Hospital.

We can send information direct if people leave contact details:

Email: BHP@oxfordshirepct.nhs.uk

Or you can write to:

The Better Healthcare Programme
Freepost RRRK-BZBT-ASXU
Oxfordshire PCT
Jubilee House
5510 John Smith Drive
Oxfordshire Business Park south
Cowley, Oxford
OX4 2LH

Programme Board meetings are held in public please click for full list of meeting dates.

Download a copy of the FAQ