Issue - meetings

To consider a report of Andy Bacon, Programme Director.

Mr Bacon, Programme Director, briefed the Committee on the current position with the integrated health and wellbeing centre for Knutsford.   His report updated the Committee on the project and made recommendations for the timing and content of the consultation process.

Mr Bacon explained that consultations were underway on both Foundation Trust status for East Cheshire Hospital Trust and for the closure of the Tatton Ward, Knutsford Hospital.  These consultations would end in February 2013. 

In relation to the Health and Wellbeing Centre, local GPs had had 2 formal meetings to develop new clinical models.  Outline clinical specifications were expected by the end of February 2013.  Engagement activity with patient groups had started, as well as meetings with Knutsford Town Council and Town Plan representatives.  Articles had been published in the local press and on the website Knutsford.com.  A recruitment process was underway to appoint someone to lead on the consultation. 

In view of the on-going clinical work; to enable clear separation of this consultation from that on Foundation Trust status and the Tatton Ward closure proposals; and to enable the recruitment of someone to lead on the communication and engagement process, it was proposed that the engagement period be extended from the end of January to mid February.  This would mean delaying the consultation period for 6 weeks.  It was proposed that the consultation period remain at 12 weeks but the start be delayed.  

Draft consultation questions were suggested with the two key questions relating to the co-location of the GP practices and the siting of the new centre. 

During discussion of the item the following issues were raised:

      Whether the current integrated health centres were delivering the services that were envisaged?  Members reported that anecdotally the new Centres seemed highly regarded and were well attended.  Fiona Field of the South Clinical Commissioning Group suggested it may be helpful for the Committee to receive a list of services that had moved out of hospital provision and were now provided in GP surgeries which Members agreed;

      What were the limitations in having a commercial landlord of the proposed Centre at Knutsford?  In response, Mr Bacon explained that as GP practices would be the anchor tenant of the Centre it would be important that the landlord ensured they were satisfied with the provision etc.  A Memorandum of Understanding had also been signed between partners and GPs would have certain residual rights. 

RESOLVED:  That

(a) the engagement period for the integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre in Knutsford be extended for a period of six weeks;

(b) the consultation on the Centre starts in March 2013, after the engagement period;

(c) the consultation period takes place over a 12 week period;

(d) the draft list of consultation questions and themes be supported:

(e) a list of services that have been moved out of hospital and into GP surgeries be submitted to a future meeting.