Council of Governors' meeting agenda: 19 August 2025

Tuesday 19 August 2025

Boardroom, Westmorland General Hospital

Please note the meeting will also take place via Microsoft Teams

Commencing at 2pm

Agenda

19 Welcome and Introductions

20 Minutes of the Council of Governors’ Meeting held on 20 May 2025

21 Action Sheet and Matters arising from the Minutes of the Council of Governors meeting held on 20 May 2025

22 Chair Report

23 Chief Executive Report

24 Lead Governor Report

25 Birth Reflection Service

26 Update from the Chief Operating Officer - Impact of limited GP appointments on ED, Changes to FGH ICU, Bed reconfiguration

Agenda Item 26 - Supporting Information

Bed Configuration

Our ambition is to only admit patients to hospital when there is a clinical reason to do so, with no better alternatives. We also want to ensure that patients are admitted to the most appropriate unit and are cared for by the most appropriate clinical team, then discharged without delay when their acute care is complete.

We know from our data and feedback from patients and colleagues that while we most often get this right, it is not the case for every patient, every time. For that reason, we have reviewed how our hospitals are configured and what changes we could make to achieve our ambitions for patients more consistently. 

ICU at FGH

The ICB is leading work regarding ITU provision following the Senate Review at FGH. A link below to the ICB website, which includes FAQs is below. Westmorland and Furness Council Health Adults Scrutiny Committee (HASC) Chair has asked for the Trust and the ICB to attend a special meeting of the committee in August to discuss the intention for FGH ICU. Details will be shared in due course.neral Hospital intensive care unit permanent

The Trust will meet its obligations regarding and statutory consultations that are required regarding clinical services. It is worth noting that the Trust recognises that it will need to serve a bigger population as the town of Barrow and the Furness peninsula grows, due to the rapid expansion of the BAE Systems workforce and the major investment in the area. The Trust and its partners remain committed to FGH and its future as a district general hospital in Barrow. A brand new £5.8m Community Diagnostic Centre has opened at the hospital and the Trust is hoping to receive national funding to expand emergency and family services on site as part of the health contribution to Barrow Rising.

27 Finance Update

28 Verbal updates of Governor Subgroups

29 Auditor Report on the Annual Report and Accounts

30 Review of Appointed Governors

31 Council of Governors Terms of Reference

32 Reimbursement of Governor Expenses Policy

33 Council of Governors Subgroup Membership

34 Questions received on notice from members and the public

35 Attendance Monitoring Register

36 Urgent Business

37 Date, Time and Venue of Next Meeting: Tuesday 18 November 2025, 2pm