To receive a presentation on the current consultation on plans to redevelop the St. George’s Hospital site, Hornchurch.
Minutes:
The representatives of Havering CCG explained that the overall plan for the St. George’s site was to develop it as part of an integrated care strategy for the population of Havering. This would include more proactive services offering better information, access and support to Havering patients.
It was felt that St. George’s was no longer fit for purpose and the site had been gradually decommissioned over the last ten years prior to being closed on health and safety grounds in October 2012. It was not possible to simply refurbish the current buildings.
The CCG was therefore consulting on building a centre of excellence for older people on the site. This would be a brand new building offering community services, diagnostics and an enhanced GP surgery. It was hoped that social care and voluntary services would also be available on the site. The current consultation on the proposals was due to finish on 12 May.
It was possible that 15-30 intermediate care beds would be located on the St. George’s site but further work needed to be done on this. These beds would cater for patients with multiple conditions. The Committee felt it was important that these facilities were developed in order to take over from Grays Court in Dagenham and that the new services on the St. George’s site were fit for purpose. Officers agreed but added that enhanced community services may mean there will be less demand for rehabilitation beds such as these. The priority was the standard of care, regardless of how many actual beds were needed.
The consultation documents had been sent to stakeholders and were also available on-line. Two consultation events had also been held in local libraries. Members were concerned however that there had been very little promotion of the consultation either in local GP surgeries or at Queen’s Hospital and officers agreed to consider promoting the consultation in these locations.
A LINk representative felt that the consultation did not have enough detail on the options but the CCG officers explained that they wished to gather information on what people felt were the issues at this stage prior to developing a more detailed plan. Further consultation would be held once a more detailed plan was available. A minor injuries unit or urgent care centre was being considered as part of the enhanced GP surgery and it was hoped this would progress to a 24:7 service over time.
Comments received by the consultation so far had included that the historic nature of the site be preserved and having a polyclinic-style facility at St. George’s in order ease the pressure on Queen’s Hospital. Concerns had also been raised about the amount of housing on the site. Officers were happy to give an update to the Committee after the end of the consultation period.
Whilst noting that a second, more detailed consultation document was available, Members remained concerned that there was a lack of detail about the St. George’s plans. Officers emphasised that more detailed proposals would be brought forward and that they wanted patient groups to participate fully in the decision making process. An outline business case was planned to be developed by the end of June 2013 which would also be consulted upon. CCG officers emphasised that they wished to engage continuously with local communities and that further consultation would take place.
It was confirmed that ownership of the site would transfer to NHS Property Services (Propco) and negotiations were continuing to try to ensure that the capital receipt from sale of part of the St. George’s site was retained for Havering. It was the intention of the CCG to secure this but this could not be guaranteed at this stage. Discussions would be held with partners if it was felt that the capital receipt would not be retained but it was emphasised that this was not the case as yet.
The CCG wished to have close partnership working around St. George’s and would work closely with BHRUT and other partners to develop the plans. It was agreed that improvement at Queen’s A&E would also be needed to assist the new facilities at St. George’s.
The Healthwatch Chairman supported the plans for St. George’s and felt that best practice nationally and internationally should be considered for areas such as dementia care. She added that any consultation on the proposals should also include BHRUT patients and Council staff.
The precise area of the site to be developed was still under discussion but approximately 10% of the current St. George’s site would be used for the new facility. The new building needed to be flexible in order to manage future needs.
CCG officers added that they would also take an overview of the use of other medical facilities in Havering and how these could be utilised more fully. It was agreed that a strategic overview of facilities in Havering be brought to the Committee in approximately six months.
The Committee NOTED the update on St. George’s Hospital.