To receive an update on the current position at St George’s Hospital from Alan Steward, Chief Operating Officer, Havering CCG.
Minutes:
The CCG chief operating officer reported that significant progress had been made in the plans for St George’s Hospital. It had been suggested that a GP surgery and a centre of excellence for older people could be located on the site. It was emphasised however that the CCG did not own or develop the site and that this was the responsibility of NHS Property Services.
There had been broad support in the recent consultation for the GP and centre of excellence proposals and the CCG had asked several local GP practices if they would be interested in moving onto the St George’s site. The next step would be to make a case for services that could be located on the site. This could include phlebotomy, ultrasound facilities as well as possibly rehabilitation and step up beds. These proposals were currently being worked through with stakeholders.
The CCG was keen to avoid having any unused space in the new buildings on the site. It was aimed to put the outline business case to NHS England in January 2014 and then to NHS Property Services. The CCG were happy to bring this to the Committee once it was available.
It was accepted that the consultation had only received 126 responses but this had been a higher level of response than in some similar consultations held elsewhere. Local residents would be consulted on moving GPs onto the site and the CCG officer noted that local Councillors had received very little consultation thus far on plans for the site.
It was estimated that 10-15% of the St George’s site would be used for new medical facilities. The overall strategy on what services were proposed would be included in the CCGs review of commissioning intentions of which more details would be available towards the end of 2013. The outline business case for St George’s would match up with this.
It was likely that some urgent or unplanned care would be provided at St George’s. This could potentially include a walk-in centre for minor illnesses. It was confirmed that the Urgent Care Centre at Queen’s was sub-contracted to the Hurley Group while that at King George was provided by the PELC organisation and the CCG was keen to increase the percentage of A&E patients going through the Urgent Care Centre.
There were no immediate plans to move the beds at Greys Court of Foxglove ward at King George back into Havering. There would however be consultation on these services in January or February 2014. It was hoped that sale of parts of the St George’s site would fund development of the medical facilities on the remainder although this would need to be via NHS Property Services.
It was unlikely any clinic on the St George site would be in the scale of the polyclinic at Harold Wood. The chief operating officer agreed to seek a breakdown of attendance figures at Queen’s for majors, minors and the Urgent Care Centre. The reports of the urgent care centre running down and staff transferring over to majors from 7 pm would also be investigated.
The Committee NOTED the update.