Issue - meetings

Dr Yi Mien Koh, Chief Executive, Whittington Health

Representatives:

• Dr Koh
• Dr Greg Battle
• Philip Yent
• Richard Martin

Dr Greg Battle introduced the item with the following points:

• The Estates Strategy is one of a number of plans and falls out of the integrated care strategy
• There is recognition that they did not consult properly with both Members and residents and that there is more work to do.
• The Strategic Health Authority has asked them to pause taking forward their Foundation Trust application by 4-6 months.  They are therefore in ‘listening mode’.
• The SHA has said they like their overall strategy and integrated care vision however:

·        They need to gain more clarity on financial savings;

·        Do better at communicating; and

·        Work harder around staff and community engagement.

The following discussion points were noted

• Listening mode is about listening to comments and concerns and about communicating.
• The Whittington recognises that they have not made the link between the clinical strategy and the estates strategy clear enough to people.
• The Whittington recognises that they have failed to get people on board and to get people to understand the clinical background
• The Estates Strategy could be modified during this pause.
• The Adults and Health Panel have recently visited St Ann’s hospital site and Chase Farm mental health wards.  At their visit to St Ann’s they were able to see the conditions of the buildings and the site overall and therefore gain a better understanding of the redevelopment issues and needs.  This same opportunity has not been presented by the Whittington.
• The Panel noted that a lot of elected Members have been informed of what is happening via the press as opposed to from the Whittington communicating directly with stakeholders, including the Adults and Health Scrutiny Panel.
• The Panel queried whether the Whittington had shared the strategy with Haringey Clinical Commissioning Board (CCG) and shadow Health and Wellbeing Board (sHWB).  They were informed that the CCG had given their general support to the clinical strategy in writing, which had enabled the Whittington to approach the SHA regarding Foundation Trust status.  However, it was not thought that this included the Estates Strategy.
• The Panel queried whether discussions had taken place with Adult Services on possible implications and were informed that this was ongoing.
• The Panel were informed that the Whittington Board is deeply committed to having an A&E on site and that they are fully committed to having a full set of clinical services around the A&E.
• Dr Koh informed that Panel that they hope to keep all clinical services which are there at the moment, however sometimes directives come from above as happened with stroke services.
• The Panel queried the percentage of the current land which was intended for sale and how much of the strategy is finance led.  The Panel were informed that the strategy is a direction of travel and that the Whittington reserves the right not to sell buildings and use them for something else if they wish.  With regards to the percentage, it is about 40%  ...  view the full minutes text for item 51