Agenda item

Update on the Transfer of Services from the RNHRD to the RUH (Rheumatology, Therapies, Biologics and Clinical Measurement)

This report provides the Select Committee with the outcomes of Patient and Public Engagement activities completed relating to the proposal to relocate the RNHRD Rheumatology and Rheumatology Therapies services.

Minutes:

Clare O’Farrell, Associate Director for Integration, RUH introduced this report to the Select Committee. She explained that there will be no change in the level of service provision for patients of the RNHRD Rheumatology and Rheumatology Therapies services. She stated that the same range of outpatient services will be provided at the new RNRHD and Therapies Centre and patients will continue to be seen and treated by the same team to the same high standards, only the location will change.

 

She added that there is no impact on patient choice, as relocating the service does not reduce the number of appointments or clinics available. Inpatient beds and residential beds will still be provided.

 

She said that the RUH has good public transport links and is accessible via the Odd Down Park and Ride. She stated that the RUH provides over 350 visitor and patient spaces across the site, and around 100 blue badge spaces. She informed the Select Committee that there is no patient or visitor parking available at the Mineral Water Hospital site other than two Blue Badge parking spaces, so for some patients the proposed new location will be easier to access due to the availability of onsite parking.

 

She spoke of how the Trust had held an engagement event where attendees had the opportunity to meet with clinicians, hear more about the new RNHRD and Therapies Centre, provide feedback on plans to relocate and have any further questions answered.

 

She said that the overall tone of the day was positive; participants were grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the planned new centre, appreciated hearing directly from clinicians, welcomed the opportunity to ask questions and ultimately felt reassured that the same services would continue, provided by the same team. 

 

She explained that the next phase of PPE activities relate to proposals to relocate the RNHRD’s Bath Centre for Fatigue Service (BCFS) and Pain Management services. Planning is underway to launch PPE activities for the BCFS in March 2017.

 

Councillor Geoff Ward said that he supported the proposals within the report.

 

Councillor Lin Patterson asked if in the new arrangements to be proposed for Fatigue and Pain Management the provision would remain the same.

 

Clare O’Farrell replied that retention of the same services is planned.

 

Councillor Paul May said that he felt that the work carried out so far regarding the transfer of services was exemplary.

 

Councillor Eleanor Jackson asked for better provision of buses to the site with wheelchair accessibility and spaces to sit once on board.

 

The Select Committee RESOLVED to:

 

i)  Note the outcome of the impact assessments and patient and public engagement activities which provided opportunities for patients, staff, stakeholders and the public to provide feedback on the proposed move, and which confirmed that the effects of this change are considered minimal and that there are a number of positive aspects to the change, for current and future patients.

 

ii)  Endorse the proposal to relocate the RNHRD Rheumatology and Rheumatology Therapies services from the Mineral Water Hospital site to a purpose built RNHRD and Therapies Centre on the RUH’s Combe Park site.

Supporting documents: