The COO Performance Report and Performance Profile (December Data) which had been circulated prior to the meeting, were noted. There were no NPOG minutes for consideration by the Committee as the February NPOG meeting was cancelled due to operational pressures. The Committee noted that the latest performance information relates to December 2023 but due to the FORSA industrial action data is unavailable for Finance, Older Persons, Primary Care/ECC, PCRS, Palliative Care, Mental Health, Disability, Social Inclusion, HIPE, Acute HCAI (partial), Cancer Services RACs (partial) and Absenteeism. The industrial action is now suspended since 7th February and outstanding data will be provided centrally to facilitate completion of reports.
The COO updated the Committee on the key strategic and operational updates outlined in the above documents, focusing in particular on Urgent and Emergency Care, Therapy Waiting Lists, Cancer Services, and the Performance Accountability Framework 2024.
In relation to Urgent and Emergency Care, the Committee noted that 8 Hospital/CHOs remain formally escalated to the National Directors under the Performance Accountability Framework (PAF) as the level of improvement required has not been achieved. The COO advised that Performance notices were issued, and all hospitals are now on improvement trajectory with a focus on improvement and stabilisation.
Regarding Cancer Services, the Committee discussed Cork University Hospital and noted that its improvement plan has now been accepted. The Committee requested that expected timelines for improvement of Cancer Services KPIs are included in the COO Report going forward. In response to questions from the Committee in relation to continuation of cancer services during the roll out of the Health Regions, the COO advised that there should be minimal impact on services response times but he will raise this with the NCCP to provide reassurance.
In relation to CAMHS, the Committee queried whether Dr Séan Maskey who produced the South Kerry CAMHS Review has any oversight of its implementation. The COO advised that he is not aware of any ongoing contact and that the recommendations of the review formed an improvement plan which is monitored on a monthly basis and further details can be provided at a future meeting.
The Committee discussed the upcoming Commission on Care for Older Persons which is due to be established in line with the Programme for Government. The importance of HSE representation at this Commission was emphasised by the Committee and the COO agreed to provide more information on its membership at a future meeting.
The Committee were advised that work is in progress to develop the Performance and Accountability Framework (PAF) 2024 cognisant of the organisational changes, including appointment of Regional Executive Officers which have been or are being appointed within next two months. The Committee noted that the National Performance Oversight Group would be stood down from April and there will be interim arrangement for performance oversight with the Health Regions during the transition period, April to August. In September, the performance oversight process will be formalised into new permanent arrangements under the auspices of a revised PAF, where the REO, CCO and National Director National Services and Schemes performance will be from the CEO supported by the various National offices and the new Centre leadership team.