Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation of the Director of Corporate Affairs, City Hospitals Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust about the proposals for Renal Services at University Hospital North Durham (for copy see file of Minutes).
The presentation highlighted:-
· An overview
· Background
· Challenges
· Durham Dialysis Unit
· Opportunities
· Solution
· Durham Treatment Centre
· Where – Belmont
· What would be included
· Washington Dialysis Centre
· What services
· Other features
· Transport
Ø Dialysis
Ø Urology Ops
· Transport
· Public Transport
· Timetable
· Benefits
· Next Steps
Councillor Forster was advised that most of the medical staff would not be based in Durham, and would travel to and from Sunderland. Permanent admin and clerical staff would be based at Durham. She was concerned that the new centre should have a sufficient workforce and was informed that the same consultants and nursing staff would work from both centres and already had the expertise to run an efficient service.
Councillor Armstrong said that this was an exciting project and suggested that with regards to transport, Simon Day, Public Transport Network Manager was the best person to look into the queries about bus services and routes to the centre.
Councillor Blakey suggested that the Park and Ride Service may be able to be utilised.
Councillor Brookes welcomed the development and asked if patients in the East of the County could still use Sunderland. He was informed that yes there would still be patient choice available.
The Chairman congratulated City Hospitals Sunderland and wished them well with the developments. He advised that enquiries would be made with the Public Transport Network Manager together with Councillor Hovvels and Councillor Foster as Cabinet portfolio holders in relation to support with transport links.
The Chairman thanked the officers for their presentation.
Resolved:
That the presentation be noted.