Issue - meetings

To hear from Barnet Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust on its proposals for the redevelopment of St Ann’s Hospital site. 

NHS Haringey (as a local commissioner of health services), Whittington Health (as a major provider of community health services on site) and the Child Development Centre are due to attend to comment on the proposals.

A written submission from the Mental Health Carers Association has been received and is contained within the reports pack.

The Chair welcomed Andrew Wright - Barnet Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust; Jill Shattock – NHS Haringey; Phil Watson – Whittington Health; and Dr Tony Wheeler – Child Development Centre, St Ann’s hospital.

There were two deputations as detailed below:

Deputation 1

Mr David Hindle spoke on behalf of the Mental Health Support Association & Haringey Mental Health Service User Network.  The outline response was detailed in pages 75-78 of the agenda pack.  The main issues raised were:

·        There was a lack of clear vision.  The vision should be to address health inequalities.

·        There was no clear detail with regards to which areas would be redeveloped and which would be refurbished.

·        Happy that inpatient mental health services would stay on the site but further information was needed about how it will work.

·        The lack of information made it difficult for any body to respond to the consultation.  A full consultation was needed before any outline planning application was submitted.

·        The health provision must be made a priority over housing provision.

Clerk’s note – At this point in the proceedings Councillor McNamara left the meeting, as any discussion with regards to potential planning applications could conflict with his membership on  the Planning Sub Committee.

In response to a question from the Committee, Mr Hindle explained that as part of the consultation documents he would want to see information on different options with costings attached and a plan for how and where facilities would be provided.

Councillor Winskill supported this view and sought assurances that information would be provided for consultation before an outline planning application was submitted.

Deputation 2

Mr Mario Petrou addressed the Committee.  He stated that the consultation was flawed, as it had not been publicised to all local residents, and crucial stakeholders had not been contacted.  There had not been any money spent on exploring options available for health provision.  Demolishing part of the site for housing would affect conservation aspects of the site.  Mr Petrou added that he had requested information on the provision of services, but had not received any explanation from the PCT.

The Chair thanked Mr Hindle and Mr Petrou.  The Chair then invited representatives present to address the Committee.

Andrew Wright - Barnet Enfield & Haringey Mental Health Trust – explained that the consultation was part of a two year process, and the document had been produced to summarise the work carried out with local stakeholders.  All stakeholders would be involved in on-going discussions before any application was submitted to planning.

The Chair asked how the balance between housing and mental health provision would be achieved and what security would be in place.  Mr Wright explained that the facilities provided would match what was currently on-site.  Current provisions were for people with low-level mental health needs and there were no secure units.  Secure facilities were available at the Chase Farm site.

In response to whether there was flexibility for health care in the future, Mr Wright informed the Committee that the proposed area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 139