Agenda item

Stuart Richardson CEO Bury Hospice in attendance to support this item

The Chair invited Stuart Richardson, Chief Executive of Bury Hospice, to present his update. Stuart provided a detailed overview of the progress achieved over the past 18 months, noting significant improvements in service delivery, the development of a clearer long?term vision, and a continued commitment to timely and effective person?centred care. He noted that recent performance data demonstrates Bury has the second?lowest proportion of patients dying in hospital, indicating improved access to community?based and hospice care. Stuart also highlighted recent quarterly data showing that increasing numbers of people are receiving support in their preferred place of care, with Salford currently performing slightly ahead but Bury showing sustained progress.

Stuart described the refreshed end?of?life strategy, which aligns with NHS England guidance and the Northwest phase?of?care model. The strategy emphasises personalised care throughout the final years of life, improved use of digital information?sharing via EPACs, and closer integration with social care to create stronger pathways across the borough. He also outlined the substantial financial challenge faced by the Hospice, which must raise £4 million annually through community fundraising and charitable income. Operating all 12 inpatient beds would require an additional £2 million per year. Stuart noted ongoing pressures relating to seven?day specialist palliative provision and gaps in IT infrastructure, while emphasising the strong partnership relationships across Bury that support progress.

Members raised a range of questions. Cllr Frith sought clarity on funding required to bring all beds into use. Cllr Simpson queried the basis of the “second?lowest” ranking, with Stuart and Will Blandamer confirming this relates to the proportion of Bury patients who die in hospital compared to other localities. Will thanked Stuart for his leadership and highlighted Bury’s strong position within GM regarding hospital admissions and preferred place of death. Cllr Tariq also thanked the Hospice for its work and emphasised its value as a community institution, stressing the need for system?wide support, alignment with the NHS 10?year plan, and continued investment through fundraising, charity shops and estate maintenance.

In response to Cllr Rubinstein’s questions about bed capacity and supporting diverse communities, Stuart outlined the work of the bereavement team, which supports over 700 individuals despite only having two staff. He described the Sunflower Group for bereaved children and stressed that the Hospice offers person?centred counselling to people of all faiths and backgrounds. Cllr Boles raised issues around primary care capacity, and Stuart acknowledged the pressures on general practice but noted the opportunities created by supporting people to remain well at home.

Dr Cathy Fines added that end?of?life care requires integrated working between GPs, district nurses and specialist teams, and emphasised the importance of timely, efficient processes that respect patients’ preferred place of death.

Will Blandamer expanded on the system?wide pressures, explaining that growth in demand for palliative care will require "right?sizing" of services and a shift toward community provision in line with the NHS 10?year plan. Cllr FitzGerald asked whether resource planning would be reflected in forthcoming strategies. Stuart confirmed that further work is underway and will be reported back to the Committee once demand modelling and gap analysis are complete. Members agreed that a more detailed update will be brought back to a future meeting, alongside a forward?plan item on the impact of an ageing population.

Cllr Simpson, speaking as a veteran, asked whether the Hospice could further support local veterans. Details of veteran support networks have since been shared with him. Cllr FitzGerald also raised concerns about recent challenging end?of?life experiences in the community. Stuart explained that such cases are reviewed by the strategy group, and learning is shared across services. Dr Fines noted the key role of the Medical Examiner in capturing feedback from families, ensuring concerns are identified and acted upon.

It Was Agreed

·         The Update be noted

·         Stuart be thanked for attending the meeting to provide an update

·         To bring back a report on future system risks

·         Bring back an update on the impact of the ageing population