Officers from North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) will update the Committee on the operation of the Trust’s new site in London Road, Romford.
Minutes:
NELFT officers explained that the Acorn Centre in London Road, Romford had been established as a centre to provide specialist children’s services. Services had previously been provided from 13 different locations but were now concentrated at the London Road hub. A virtual tour of the centre had been produced to assist children who may be nervous about attending and this would be available on the NELFT website.
Services had moved in to the new centre in February 2015 and this would include CAMHS initial assessments for new service users. Existing CAMHS service users would continue to be seen at the existing NELFT sites.
Initial feedback regarding the Acorn Centre had been positive with service users liking a receptionist being on duty, it being easier to contact staff and the centre being easier to get to for most people. Murals had been placed on walls at the centre and NELFT was also investigating options to provide further car parking spaces. Feedback from parent groups such as Add-Up and Us Mums had also been mainly positive.
The Acorn Centre had allowed services to be redesigned so that mental and physical health pathways for children could be integrated. A single point of referral was being launched on 1 May whereby appropriate clinicians could be immediately assigned to a case.
Non-clinical areas had been kept to a minimum in the building. Staff had been given mobile Toughbook computers and so did not require permanent desk space. Staff from different areas were learning from each other now that they were working in the same building. There was also a large training area in the new building.
Meetings could now be held on site with therapists and doctors. Joint children’s clinics with orthotics and the wheelchair service could also be run from the Acorn Centre.
Toys and dolls houses were available for children visiting the Centre which was also equipped with a gym including hoist equipment for children with disabilities. Test and assessment markers had been permanently inlaid into the floor of consulting areas.
It was conformed that a proposal to establish a charitable enterprise would be taken to the next NELFT executive management team.
There were four full-time paediatricians at the Acorn Centre and Members had held discussions with medical staff during their recent visit to the site. An official opening of the Centre would take place in June to which Councillors would be invited.
It was accepted that some people found the location of the Acorn Centre difficult to get to although services were also still provided from alternative NELFT buildings. Many children were also seen within their school environments. There was only one bus route running along London Road although only a minority of service users went to the Acorn Centre by public transport. Officers would update the Sub-Committee on any problems reported re access or transport.
The Sub-Committee wished NELFT well with the Acorn Centre and it was AGREED that an update on progress with the Centre be taken in 6-9 months.