Issue - meetings

To consider a report from Andy Bacon, Project Director ( to follow)

The Committee considered a report on the future of health and social care services in Knutsford. 

The report outlined the current position and recent history in relation to services in Knutsford:

      The Tatton Ward was temporarily closed;

      Bexton Court was temporarily closed;

      A consultation was underway by Cheshire East Council regarding “Improvements to Adult Social Care Services” which included consideration of the future of Stanley House;

      Past consultations had looked at the co-location of the 3 GP Primary Care services onto a single site with the intention to increase the number of integrated and co-located services available to Knutsford.

The financial circumstances at present meant there was minimal public sector capital, a need to use public land efficiently and constrained expenditure in health and social care.  This meant any new services needed new ways of funding and the report outlined a proposal to seek resources from the private sector.  The proposal outlined a way of encouraging a private sector funder and developer to own or lease land and invest in a new building; for a developer this would ensure some guaranteed income from GP and other commissioned health and social care services (such as bed based services) with remaining space in the building rented out to such services as private dentistry, opticians, hairdressers. 

The land in the centre of Knutsford where the Community Hospital and Bexton Court was situated, was the preferred site and discussions were underway with planning and highways officers.  It was also recognised that a travel plan would need to be introduced.  The site was owned by the Council (Stanley House and Bexton Court) and East Cheshire Hospital Trust and at this stage the proposals were very much in principle, until current consultations were completed and the Hospital Trust Board and Council’s Cabinet had considered the proposals and a way forward.  The local GPs had indicated that they did not feel their current premises were suitable for the future needs of patients.

The report proposed ways in which the public might be engaged.  It was anticipated that if potential funders or developers were sought, a prospectus would be produced which could include an Annex containing public views and showing areas of support, which could inform future tenants for the building. It was also suggested that public representatives could have an opportunity to participate in the selection process for the developer.  It was noted that the Town Council and Planning Group was currently holding a listening exercise to gain people’s views.

Members of the Committee were given the opportunity to discuss the issues and raised the following points:

      Whether alternative sites were under consideration for any integrated facility, for example, the Red Cross site on Northwich Road?  In response, the Committee was advised that the town centre site was the preferred site but other sites could be considered. 

      In relation to future tenants of the site, other than public services, it was suggested that a private hospital may be a possibility; it was also felt that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45