Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Programme Director.

The Committee considered a report of Andy Bacon, Programme Director, about the Knutsford Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre.  The Committee had previously considered the proposals for an integrated centre and the consultation and engagement process and had supported undertaking this process at the same time as the formal consultation on the permanent closure of the Tatton Ward. 

Mr Bacon updated the Committee and explained that since his earlier report there had been 2 changes:

      The Knutsford Town Strategy was undertaking a consultation to be completed by 1 October and had requested that this was completed before any consultation on the Integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre so as to avoid any confusion;

      There was a government consultation that included consideration of green belt usage which could impact on the location of the Centre.

In addition, Mr Bacon explained that more time was needed for clinicians to consider the proposed integrated care model and it was anticipated that this process would be completed by mid October. 

Mr Bacon therefore sought the Committee’s views on changing the consultation process to enable the consultation on the Tatton Ward to be carried out separately and the engagement exercise on the integrated Centre to commence in November.  He explained that the Clinical Commissioning Group were supportive of holding the Tatton Ward consultation separately although the Hospital Trust preferred for it to be part of a wider consultation and vision for the area.  However, Mr Bacon explained that the vision, opportunities and benefits associated with the Integrated Care Centre could be coordinated through the engagement process.  

Finally, Mr Bacon explained that he had engaged with Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWAC) in recognition that services in Knutsford may be used by CWAC residents.

With the permission of the Chairman, Councillor S Wilkinson addressed the Committee as a local Member. 

RESOLVED:  that

(a) the Committee supports the consultation on the permanent closure of the Tatton Ward being conducted as a separate consultation from the Integrated Centre, but with links to the commencement of public engagement on the proposed development of a new health and wellbeing facility; and

(b) the Committee supports the holding of a separate public engagement exercise commencing in November 2012 around raising awareness of the opportunities to become involved in and shape the development of integrated patient care across the whole of Eastern Cheshire.