ODN Board

Since the development of designated clinical managed networks into Operational Delivery Networks the constitution and membership of the network board has changed. ODNs cover specialty areas of care delivered at particular points in the patient pathway.  Most are not dependant on diagnosis or injury but on severity of illness. ODNs currently include Adult Critical Care, Paediatric Critical Care, Neonatal Care, Major Trauma, and Burns.

There are two ODNs for Cheshire & Mersey – Major Trauma & Adult Critical Care and to enable effective engagement with our key stakeholders we have a Joint ODNs Board for both networks. Nobles Hospital on the Isle of Man is a formal member of both networks and has a seat on the Board.

The Board has agreed Terms of Reference and membership (vision & purpose given below, full copy available from the network office). The Joint ODN Board is chaired by the CEO of The Walton Centre, and the Medical Director for NHS England Area Team (Chehsire, Warrington & Wirral). The Board meets quarterly.

Vision

Cheshire & Mersey ODN Board is a strategic group of executive and other senior personnel with interest and expertise in the ODNs’ aims, outcomes and development. It operates to the Governance Framework for Cheshire & Mersey ODNs national template.

Provider organisations that deliver ODN services within Cheshire & Mersey are collectively responsible for delivery of the ODN functions in partnership with the host organisation(s). This includes risk-sharing of ODN functionality and funding.

The aim of Cheshire & Mersey ODNs is to enhance quality care delivery, reduce inequity and improve access to these specialty services. The strategic decisions and priority setting made by this board will form part of the operational requirements for each ODN.

Purpose

The primary concern of the ODN board is to facilitate, through ODN activity, high quality individualised care for patients requiring these services. It will identify and monitor strategic aims, align service development to national and local priorities and ensure identification of future needs to maintain and improve patient access and equity of service delivery to the required standards.

The ODN board will formally review NHS business cases for expansion (or contraction) of these specialty areas of care to ensure effective and efficient use of resources and to minimise loss of specialty capacity. The ODN board will not be responsible for funding of these services but may recommend transfer of funds from one provider to another to ensure continued capacity across Cheshire & Mersey.

The ODN board will receive formal reports from each ODN regarding progress of work plans and identification of network risks. It will receive benchmark reports relevant to each specialty and make recommendations for remedial action to alleviate quality or capacity risks as required. Exception reports may be included as needed.