Issue - meetings

This paper has been prepared to ensure that the B&NES Health and Wellbeing Select Committee are kept up-to-date with proposals to relocate Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) clinical service from their current location at the Mineral Hospital site to ensure sustainable high quality service delivery.

The Chairman invited Tracey Cox (CCG Chief Officer) and Clare O’Farrell  (Associate Director for Integration, RUH) to introduce the report.

The Committee highlighted the following points:

Councillor Patterson asked about hydrotherapy provision and if there would be in reduction in staff.

Claire O’Farrell responded that page 5 of the report highlights number of consultations held, including location of hydrotherapy pool.  A plan for a single larger hydrotherapy pool, which could be divided in two pools, had been set.  That would be located with therapy services, within the new built at the front of the hospital.  Claire O’Farrell also said that there would be no staff reduction for these services. 

Councillor May asked about long term funding.

Claire O’Farrell replied that the RUH had been working quite closely with the CCG in order to provide the best service to the community. 

Tracey Cox added that three year plan was realistic.  The CCG would be having ongoing dialogues for two to three years after the three year plan end, taking into consideration demographic changes in the area.

It was RESOLVED to note the update and to note next steps and the opportunities for patients, carers and the public to influence any service change proposal.