To receive a presentation on the St Ann’s Redevelopment, from Andrew Wright - Director of Strategic Development – Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust
Minutes:
Andrew Wright – Director of Strategic Development, Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust – gave a presentation on the redevelopment of St Ann’s (available on the website).
NOTED
· There was a possibility that a Child Development Centre could be located within the development – it was currently run by Whittington Health, and discussions had taken place, although no formal agreement had been made.
· There were continuing reviews of the number of patients on site, and there had been a significant demand for mental health inpatient care in London. If funding was provided by the commissioners, there would be space for extra beds.
· There has been a significant and unplanned increase in mental health admissions nationally. It was believed that this was related to the economic situation and more people losing jobs but there has been no formal research done as yet.
· An outline of the planning application would be available within the next few weeks, and the Local Authority would carry out a full consultation.
· It was fair to say that it would be beneficial to have included the services provided at the Laurels as part of the bigger development and integrated care, but the contract with the developer was for 35years.
· The money from the sale would be used to fund the development. It was estimated that there would be a surplus of £29million – the project was set to cost between £26-29million.
· There were 50 acute care beds. The plans were to have 36 beds, which was a reduction, but there would be other care plans in place to help patients. These include Home Treatment Teams, Recovery Houses etc and are in line with the national strategy of moving care more in to the community.
· Initial discussions had taken place with Transport for London with regards to transport links to the hospital. Their view was that it was too early in the process, and that once planning permission had been granted, TfL would engage more formally.
David Hindle (MHSA) stated that the planned Wards are three stories high with a courtyard in the middle. Therefore the access to outside space for those on the Wards would not be as good at present and it would be very limited to those on the upper floors. Access to outside space is very important.
Andrew Wright noted that he had not heard these concerns raised before but will have an urgent meeting with carer and user groups in order to discuss. There was however scope for change in the plans as it was just outline planning permission being sought at this stage – essentially height and space.
The Chair thanked Andrew Wright for attending.
Actions
1. The Chair of OSC to write to Jeanelle de Gruchy (Director of Public Health) to ask for more information on why a mental health needs assessment has not been undertaken for the St Ann’s redevelopment.
2. For more information to be provided on the St Ann’s reference group, for example, how it was constituted, terms of reference and membership.
3. The Chair of OSC to write to the Cabinet Member for Children & Young People in relation to integrated care and Child Development Centre to form part of St Ann’s redevelopment.
4. To find out what happened to the draft Health Infrastructure Plan.
5. The Chair of OSC to write to TfL to ensure that they are engaged with the St Ann’s redevelopment to ensure appropriate transport links. A draft of the letter to be sent to Andrew Wright for comment, and the Leader and Chief Executive to be cc’d.