Meeting documents

            Meeting: Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 11/07/2005 10:00:00 AM)

                  Item: A8 Consultation Issues (a) Stanley Health Centre (b) North East Ambulance Service (c) Tony White Unit (d) Any other consultation issues

         

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Response to Consultation
In April 2005, Derwentside Primary Care Trust launched a public consultation on the modernisation of health services in the Stanley area.

The consultation, which ran from 4 April to 4 July 2005, was part of an ongoing process of involvement of service users, carers and other key stakeholders in reviewing health services in the Stanley area.

This report describes the proposals and outlines the consultation process. It gives a summary of the verbal and written responses received and responds to the issues raised.

Over recent months, the PCT has been working closely with partners and members of the public to review health services in the Stanley area. We have identified a number of problems and constraints, particularly in relation to the premises where health services are provided and our staff are based. Together, we have considered a number of options to make things better. We have also developed a clear vision of how we could modernise services to best meet the needs of patients and professionals.

Stanley Health Centre, built in 1970, is being used to capacity and there is no room for expansion. GPs, and their teams who are based there, have outgrown their accommodation and are finding it increasingly difficult to provide the range and type of services their patients’ need, within the waiting time targets set by the Department of Health.

The PCT is unable to take forward plans to keep and increase the range of hospital services in the community, or recruit more GPs and other practitioners to provide more specialist services in the community for patients who suffer from long term conditions such as diabetes, coronary heart and respiratory diseases, because there is no space available.

Services that need to work closely together as joined-up teams e.g. district nurses, GP teams, social workers, are all based in different buildings, making it difficult to share information quickly and provide coordinated care.

Facilities at South Moor Hospital, which was built in the early 1920s and is now owned by County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, are no longer adequate for modern health services and many patients find it difficult to get to the site by public transport.

Services for children are provided in accommodation that was not built with children in mind and is split across a number of sites, making it difficult for staff to work together efficiently and effectively. Families often have to travel to more than one site for appointments with each member of the team and communications can be difficult.

Patients, public and professionals considering these issues identified a number of key criteria that they would like services to meet in the future:
The proposal is that the following services in the Stanley area are provided within two new buildings:
The most popular site identified by the working groups for the new health centre development, is the area that will be vacated when Stanley bus station is relocated. This will ensure excellent access to and from the town centre, local bus services and help to regenerate the local economy by keeping and expanding activity within the town centre.

If these proposals are accepted the health centre in Stanley will be demolished and a new building erected in it’s place. The accommodation occupied by the Child Health Development Centre at Annfield Plain will be vacated. Outpatient, x-ray and community nursing services will transfer from South Moor Hospital to the new health centre.

The consultation process was conducted in line with Section 11 of the Health and Social Care Act and involved the following elements:
500 copies of the consultation document were produced and distributed widely to stakeholders, service users, staff and the public. (See appendix 1 for details of distribution).

In addition the document was available on the PCT website.
A press release was issued to coincide with the launch of the public consultation process and to promote the public open meetings. There have been regular articles in local newspapers throughout the consultation period.

The public meetings (see below) were also advertised in the local press.
There were two public meetings

23 May 2005, 10.00 am - 12.00 noon, Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley
26 May 2005, 6.30pm - 8.30pm, Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley

Notes were taken of the questions asked and answers given at the meetings (full set of questions and answers are available, if requested, from the Involvement and Partnerships Manager, Derwentside PCT, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Consett DH8 0NB or by e-mailing verna.fee@derwentsidepct.nhs.uk .

While the number of people attending the public meetings was relatively low, those who did included current users, local councilors, NHS staff, representatives of non-statutory organizations and members of the public. This might be attributed to the involvement process in place during the 18 months preceding the formal consultation (Appendix 2).

In addition, voluntary community, independent and partner statutory agencies were given the opportunity to have a separate presentation on the proposals. As a result, a further two meetings were attended - The Green Corridor, Partnership and the Derwentside Community Empowerment Network
The consultation leaflet was distributed widely within the Trust (see appendix 1) and a copy of the leaflet was posted on the Trust’s intranet.

There were three open meetings for staff:

23 June 2005, 12.00 - 1.30, Stanley Health Centre
24 June 2005, 12.30 - 1.00, South Moor Hospital
29 June 2005, 12.30 - 1.00, Stanley Health Centre

A summary of the comments raised and the questions asked and responses given is attached as Appendix 3.

The Derwentside PCT PPIH Forum, Durham County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Derwentside District Council’s Health Scrutiny Panel were kept appraised of progress during development of the proposals.

The PCTs own Community Reference Group were also involved during and prior to the formal consultation period. 1:1 meetings have also been held with practices in the Stanley area.

The PCT received a number of written replies to the consultation from individuals and organisations.

Full details of the comments or copies of the written replies (individual respondents are anonymised) are available on request from the Involvement and Partnership Manager, Derwentside Primary Care Trust, Shotley Bridge Community Hospital, Consett, DH8 0NB or e-mail verna.fee@derwentsidepct.nhs.uk.

The views of those participating in the consultation process were positive, welcoming the re-development of facilities that were agreed as overcrowded, outdated and not suitable for providing the quality or nature of patient care required from a modern health service. A number of issues were raised, however, in relation to the practical issues of car parking and traffic impact on the proposed sites. Assurances were given that the PCT is working closely with the District and County Councils to resolve these issues.

Group
County Health Scrutiny Members
Directors of Derwentside District Council
Directors of Durham County Council
Members of Stanley Town Centre Regeneration Steering Group
Members of Community Advisory Group Stanley Town Centre Regeneration Steering Group
Members of Derwentside District Council
Members of Derwentside LSP
Hilary Armstrong MP
Kevan Jones MP
Primary and Comprehensive Schools, Nurseries in Stanley Area
Janet Strong, Durham Rural Community Council
Alison Underwood SureStart West Derwentside
Malcolm Pitt SureStart West Derwentside
SureStart Stanley Parents and Community Group
Green Corridor Partnership
PCT Board Members
PCT PEC Members
District Council Elected Members
County Council Elected Members in Derwentside
Pharmacists
Optometrists
GPs
Dentists
Community Reference Group Members
PPIH Forum Members
Members of H/C Project Board
Outline Business Case
Service Development Group
Berni Scott, DDC
Craghead Patient Group
Public who attended meetings
Service User and Carer Forum for Participation in Community Care Services
Nurse Reference Group
GP Reference Group
Community Pharmacists Group
Craghead Partnership -
Staff
PEC
County Durham & Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust
County Durham & Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust
Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT

Date	Activity
17 July 2003	Plans to begin work on developing proposals introduced at public meeting to discuss regeneration of Stanley Town Centre
22 July 2003	Discussed at Stanley Town Centre Regeneration Steering Group - members of the public in attendance
21 August 2003	Public Meeting in Craghead
2 September 2003	Public Meeting in Stanley
4 September 2003	Public Meeting in South Moor
23 September 2003	Presentation to District Council Health Scrutiny Panel
25 September 2003	Public Meeting to agree number of community representatives on each of the groups to be established to develop the proposals and business case. Agreed that there would be four representatives on each of the following groups: Project Board Outline Business Case Development Group Service Development Group 12 representatives nominated and agreed by members of the public present at meeting.
21 October 2003	Service Development Workshop - members of the public in attendance
6 November 2003	Service Development Workshop - members of the public in attendance
27 November 2003	Meeting to develop long list of options for new health centre - members of the public in attendance
4 December 2003	Presentation to District Council Health Scrutiny Panel
9 December 2003	Option Appraisal Workshop 1 - members of the public in attendance
11 December 2003	Option Appraisal Workshop 2 - members of the public in attendance
20 January 2004	Presentation to County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee
26 January 2004	Meeting with Stanley Town Centre Regeneration Steering Group Community Advisory Group
19 March 2004	Public Meeting in Craghead (Kevan Jones, MP also present)
5 April 2004	Site Appraisal Workshop - members of the public present
29 April 2004	Risk Management Workshop - members of the public present
1 April 2005	Formal consultation process begins
4 April 2005	Consultation document distributed with letter offering to meet with local voluntary and community groups
23 May 2005	Public meeting at Lamplight Arts Centre (10am -12 noon)
26 May 2005	As above (6.30pm - 8.30pm)

In addition, the Project Board and Outline Business Case Development Group held monthly or bi-monthly meetings during 2003 and 2004 - public representatives present at all meetings. Posters and A5 leaflets promoting the opportunity for people to put forward views placed in Stanley Health Centre, all GP practices and local libraries in the Stanley and surrounding area.

Progress was reported at regular meetings of the Stanley Town Centre Steering Group - membership of this group includes public representation.

Appendix 3

Modernising Health Services in Stanley Comments received during consultation process

Questions/Comments

PCT Response

General

1.	Questions were raised around the phasing of the two new build projects.	There is the need to carefully plan the phased development of the two schemes, address any decanting issues etc.
2.	Which services will be provided from each site.	Proposed that Children’s Services to be accommodated in new build on the Stanley Health Centre site. Other services such as x-ray, outpatients, community nursing, dental services, therapies and supporting services to be provided from a new build facility on the bus station site in Stanley
3.	Who will be on project board and teams.	A project management structure will be established for the next phase of the development programme which will entail wide stakeholder/staff involvement.

Car Parking/Access

4.	Concerns were expressed about the availability of adequate car parking spaces and the potential for parking charges to be introduced.	The PCT will work with the District and County Council to attempt to address the car parking issues in Stanley.
5.	It was felt that traffic flows to the sites needed to be addressed.	A traffic impact survey will be undertaken in relation to the two sites.

Consideration of other sites

6.	Questions were raised as to why other sites were not chosen as a preferred location for the developments (particularly the Kings Head site and South Moor Hospital )	A location in Stanley own centre for the proposed facilities was a key requisite that had emerged from discussions with stakeholders. It was felt that the two sites in question did not provide adequate access for the population served. The Kings Head site is on the wrong side of a busy dual carriageway and would have expensive infrastructure costs and South Moor Hospital is too far removed from the GP services that are in Stanley.
7.	The need to have a split site development was questioned.	Due to the size of the sites available in Stanley town centre it would not be practicable to accommodate all the proposed services on one site.

Practice and Out of Hours Services

8.	Issues were raised around: what would happen to GPs not currently in the health centre?	The GP services would remain as they are now.
9.	Duplication of GP services in other surgeries.	There may be some duplication because practices will want to provide services for their own patients.
10.	The number of GPs that will be in the new health centre.	The number of GPs in the new health centre will be around the same as the current health centre
11.	Would there be more GPs overall in the future?	The PCT would look to recruit more GPs overall, but also extend the range of work they do.
12.	Will the PCT be able to recruit the necessary staff?	New modern facilities will hopefully encourage staff to come to the area.
13.	Will Out of Hours services be available in Stanley.	It is likely that it will remain at Shotley Bridge Community Hospital due to two main reasons: The numbers presenting to out of hours services are too small to justify two centres and the minor injuries unit is currently at SBCH - next to out of hours.
14.	Availability of services early in the morning and after 5.00pm.	The provision of services outside ‘normal hours’ would need to be explored.
15.	Will ‘walk in’ services be provided.	The building will be flexible enough to cope with this in the future if necessary and viable.

Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee

11 July

North East Ambulance Service - Discussion Document

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To explain the attached discussion document from the North East Ambulance Service.

Background

2. The attached discussion document has been received from the North East Ambulance Service. It relates to possible changes in the Ambulance Service affecting Barnard Castle, Middleton in Teesdale and St. John’s Chapel.

3. The document indicates that this is not the formal consultation which would be required when firm proposals are to be put forward. The Ambulance Trust say that they hope to start a formal consultation with the Primary Care Trust in September.

4. The main role of the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee at this stage is to encourage the Ambulance Trust to seek the views of the local public who will be affected by any changes.

5. In due course, the Sub-Committee will be formally consulted. It is important that the Sub-Committee is aware of local views before coming to its own view about any proposals. This would mean time tabling, consideration towards the end of any formal consultation period.

Recommendation

6. You are asked to consider, and, at this stage, note the Ambulance Trust’s discussion document.

Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506

Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee

11 July 2005

Tony White Unit - Up-date

Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny

Purpose of Report

1. To explain the covering report from the Chief Executive of the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services Trust.

Background

2. The Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee was consulted about the temporary relocation of intensive care services from the Tony White Unit at Durham to a unit at West Park Hospital in Darlington.

3. The Sub-Committee received representations from staff serving on the Tony White Unit expressing concern about this temporary relocation. The Sub-Committee was instrumental in delaying the relocation to facilitate further discussions between the staff and the Trust.

4. On the 10^th January 2005, the Sub-Committee considered this issue, noted the proposal to temporarily relocate and requested the Priority Trust to provide an up-date about the impact on users of the service at this Sub-Committee. The report from the Chief Executive of the Priority Trust is attached.

5. The main focus of the Sub-Committee is the impact on patients and carers of the temporary relocation.

Recommendation

6. You are asked to consider the report from the Priority Trust.

Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506

Update on Temporary Relocation of Intensive Care Services to West Park Hospital




DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL HEALTH OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

11 JULY 2005

UPDATE ON TEMPORARY RELOCATION OF INTENSIVE CARE SERVICES TO WEST PARK HOSPITAL

1.1 To provide an update to Durham County Council Overview and Scrutiny Committee on the temporary relocation of intensive care services from the County Hospital to the Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit at West Park (Cedar Ward).

2. BACKGROUND

2.1 Following a period of consultation the Psychiatric Intensive Care facility at the County Hospital, Durham (Tony White Unit) closed at the end of March 2005. All subsequent admissions to intensive care after this date were to Cedar Ward, West Park Hospital, Darlington. As part of the transfer of the service it was agreed to monitor the activity, both quantitively (i.e. numbers) and qualitatively (looking at the maintenance of high quality care).

3 KEY ISSUES
Number of Admissions

In the two months covering April and May there were a total of 9 (6 female and 3 male) admissions of patients from North Durham.

Of these 9 admissions 3 were from Harding Ward at the County Hospital and 6 were from Allensford Ward at Shotley Bridge Hospital.

On average at any one time there were 3 beds occupied by patients from North Durham.

Occupancy Levels

The average length of stay of the 9 admissions was 20 days.

The average occupancy level over the two month period was 85%, of which approximately 30% related to the patients from North Durham.


Patient Surveys

All patients discharged from Cedar Ward are given an exit questionnaire,
which allows them to comment on their stay on the unit. Throughout April and May 8 questionnaires were distributed to the 9 patients, with a nil response.

Transport

One of the key issues which came out of the consultation was the accessibility of Cedar Ward for patients and their carers from the north of County Durham. The Trust agreed to provide transport for carers/relatives to visit patients during their stay. In the two month period April to May 2005, the Trust has supported 4 taxi journeys to allow relatives to visit patients on the unit.




Sandy Taylor
Chief Executive

Attachments

 Item 8c pdf.pdf;
 Item 8 b pdf.pdf;
 Item 8 a pdf.pdf