Issue - meetings

(Report of the Chair of Overview & Scrutiny Committee)  To comment on the proposal by Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust to close Pine Ward at St. Ann’s Hospital.

Please note: a paper from the Mental Health Trust on this option will be distributed with the second despatch.

Councillor Davies declared a personal interest in respect of this item on account of him being an employee of the Healthcare Commission.

Alan Beaton from the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health Trust addressed the committee on the proposal to close the Pine Ward at St. Ann’s Hospital.

It was noted that the facility currently had fifteen empty beds, with the facility currently being used for delayed discharge beds.  It was stated that the closure of the Pine Ward would allow for the required refurbishment of the Green Trees unit.

David Hendell of the Patient Public Involvement Forum addressed the committee stating their support of the proposals, allowing as they did for future refurbishment of facilities at the hospital.  The Mental Health Trust stated that the usage of the savings gained by the closure had still to be determined, although they were keen to address gaps in demands in servuces for Older People and Communties.  Any re-investment of savings from the changes in community services in the borough would be raised in discussions between Haringey Council, the PCT and the Mental Health Trust.  The Council was assured that the proposals bore no cost to the London Borough of Haringey.

The committee agreed that the changes did not constitute a substantial variation to services, and thanked and the Patient Public Involvement Forum for their representations.

RESOLVED:

1. That the committee be informed on the proposed usage for savings arising from the closure.

2. That the committee note that the changes as set out in the report to not constitute a Substantial Variation to services.