Agenda item

Simon Pleydell, Chief Executive Whittington Hospital NHS Trust, was present and outlined the Whittington Estates strategy for the Committee.

During consideration of the report the following main matters were raised –

·         Members were informed that Whittington were trying to develop a strategy in partnership with the Mental Health Trust, other partners and the Council

·         The Trust were endeavouring to a number of packages for development to deliver an integrated care strategy and that it is felt that this could be achieved by working from 8 hubs, from the 38 sites at present, which would be facilitated by improved IT. This would enable income to be generated to improve services and the estate that remained. It is hoped that proposals could be developed within the next 9/12 months

·         It was stated that  a number of NHS and partner organisations were looking to source capital from the private sector given the lack of funding available from Central Government, but this would not be a re-run of the problems caused by PPI and there would be no transfer of risk or liability

·         In response to a question it was stated that there were no firm views at present on whether sites should be owned or leased and this would depend on the best use of maximising funding and resources of the estates

·         A Member enquired whether there were proposals for a private patient hospital facility on the Whittington site and it was stated that there is vacant land on the site however no proposals would be put forward that did not benefit share with partners, the NHS and patients

·         In response to a question about future consultation on proposals it was stated that the Trust were looking to develop a series of packages that could be consulted upon and there would be specific consultations around these and staff engagement

·         The Trust stated that some of the facilities and accommodation for staff were not suitable at present and these needed to be improved

·         A Member enquired as to progress with the new maternity wing at the Whittington and it was stated that NHS budget is around £25billion overspent and therefore there is no capital funding available. This is of concern to the Trust given safety concerns and it is looking to develop sources of funding within the Estates strategy

·         Discussion took place around the future of the Northern Hospital and it was stated that if there are covenants on any of the premises to be disposed of this would need to be taken into consideration, however the Northern is not an ideal site for delivering services both in terms of staff and patients

·         Members were informed that the Trust were determined to present proposals that would demonstrate benefits to the community and that it is important to be able to react to the changing working practices of staff such as District Nurses

·         In response to a question as to the future of the Finsbury Health Centre it was stated that work would be undertaken with partners in respect of all sites to determine the  best way forward and collaborative work would be undertaken

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and Members be kept updated on any developments

The Chair thanked Simon Pleydell for attending