Minutes:
The Board
considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which gave Members
an update in relation to the current projects/areas of work associated with
improvements in Urgent Care.
The Board also received
a presentation from Mr Simon Wright, Chief Operating Officer/Deputy Chief
Executive of Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in respect of
the progress towards the development of Urgent Care Centres in Runcorn and
Widnes.
The Board was
advised that demand on NHS hospital resources had increased dramatically over
the past 10 years, with a 35% increase in emergency hospital admissions and a
65% increase in secondary care episodes for those over 75 years.
It was reported
that the Governance Structure associated with the Urgent Care system in Halton
was attached at Appendix 1 to the report. It was reported that the Urgent Care agenda
was a complex and challenging, which required high quality and accessible primary,
community and social care services to be in place to provide alternatives to
A&E attendance and admittance to hospital for the local population. The Board noted the local activity in Halton
in respect of NHS services set out in paragraph 3.9 of the report. The Board
also noted the areas that were improving but were presenting a challenge and
the areas that remained a significant challenge.
The Board
discussed and noted the local developments currently having an impact on the
urgent care system within Halton, set out in paragraphs 3.17 to 3.23 of the
report.
The following points arose from the presentation:-
·
The
Board welcomed the proposals as it would reduce the number of people attending
A&E as they could be treated locally;
·
Clarity
was sought on the timetable for phase two of the project and whether it would
result in patients attending the Urgent Care Centres rather than their GPs. In
response, it was reported that some people would use the Centre rather than
their GP but this would release time for GPs to develop other services which
they are currently unable to do because of time constraints. It was reported that there were no formal
timelines for Phase 2 of the project.
However, it was anticipated that Phase 2 would be completed by summer
2015;
·
Concern
was raised that on the following points in relation to the building in Widnes;
access was limited; there was already a massive car parking issue and increased
usage of the building would exacerbate this issue; the lift was not suitable
for wheelchair access and because of the design of the building it was very
cold in the winter. In response, it was
reported that 175 car parking spaces would be made available across from the
Unit. Patients would be encouraged to
part at the unit and staff on the car park which would also create additional
parking for patients The situation was
being monitored and it was anticipated that it would eventually alleviate
parking problems in that area. It was
also reported that the ground floor services would be moved to the first floor
during the refurbishment and this would minimise the impact on services
currently operating from the building.
It was also noted that the second floor space in Widnes would be
utilised for care services rather than office space;
·
It
was agreed that a copy of the Plans would be circulated to Members of the
Board;
·
It
was noted that the opening times had not been confirmed as yet, but it was
anticipated that the Centre’s would be open until 10 pm and consideration was
being given to open 24 hours a day, for some services. The out of hours services was currently being
considered and when the details had been finalised they would be reported back
to the Members; and
·
The
Board welcomed the anti natal services that would be available in the Centres
enabling children to be born in the Borough.
RESOLVED: That:
(1)
The
report, presentation and comments raised be noted; and
(2)
Mr
Simon Wright be thanked for his informative presentation,
Supporting documents: