Agenda item

Relocating Services from the RNHRD to the RUH

This paper has been prepared to ensure that the B&NES Children, Health and Wellbeing Panel are kept up-to-date with the relocation of Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD) services from the Mineral Water Hospital site Bath, to facilities on the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust (RUH) Combe Park site in autumn 2019. 

Minutes:

Clare O’Farrell, Deputy Chief Operating Officer, RUH introduced this report to the Panel. She thanked the previous body of the Health & Wellbeing Select Committee for their work since the service relocation work was embarked upon.

 

She informed the Panel that the relocation will take place over five phases between 31st August – 17th November 2019. She added that there was one change to the plan printed in the report and that Clinical Measurement would relocate on September 11th rather than September 13th.

 

She stated that Trust is in the final stages of completing the RNHRD and Brownsword Therapies Centre, ready for services to move in this autumn. She said that the new building will provide enhanced facilities, including group rooms, waiting rooms, gym and a hydrotherapy pool.

 

She added that the centre will provide therapeutic surroundings to support patient recovery, treatment, wellbeing and the management of long-term conditions and it will continue to promote the RNHRD’s trusted brand combining clinical excellence and therapeutic space, in an environment designed in conjunction with patients and clinicians, with the aim of reducing stress and creating a beneficial healing environment for patients and their families.

 

She explained that the RUH has good public transport links and is accessible via the Odd Down Park and Ride. She added that for some patients the proposed new location will be easier to access due to the availability of onsite parking as the RUH provides over 600 visitor and patient spaces across the site, and around 70 blue badge spaces.

 

She said that a further expansion of the car park was planned to follow the demolition of RUH North and that this would be subject to the regular planning process. She added that whilst recognising demand for parking on site the RUH does promote alternative travel use / access to the site and encourages staff to car share where possible.

 

Councillor Michelle O’Doherty commented that as one of the members for Newbridge parking continues to be a local issue and offered her support in the promotion of travel options.

 

Councillor Rob Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Adult Services said that he attended a meeting at the RUH the previous day alongside Councillor Neil Butters, Cabinet Member for Transport Services and acknowledged there was work for the Council to do on this issue.

 

Councillor Andy Wait asked if the costs raised through the car park could be shared with the Panel.

 

Clare O’Farrell replied that she didn’t have that information to hand but would circulate a response to the Panel.

 

Councillor Ruth Malloy said that she was concerned that more spaces on site would naturally attract more cars. She suggested that Park & Ride links could be improved and stay open later. As one of the members for Weston she also offered to help with options to travel to and from the site.

 

Clare O’Farrell replied that a balance of solutions is being sought and it was possible that certain elements of outpatients may work in a different way in the future. She said that she welcomed the support offered by local Councillors and that the RUH takes every step to act as a responsible neighbour.

 

Councillor Andy Wait asked what the long term future of the Mineral Hospital site would be and who the owners were.

 

Clare O’Farrell replied that the site had been sold, but that she did not know to whom or what the plans were for the site. She added that the site has to be vacated by the end of 2019.

 

The Chair said that the commitment shown by the staff to work together with their patients was very welcome. He added that he felt that the process followed by the RUH to integrate and transfer services was exemplary.

 

Clare O’Farrell replied that the Select Committee had been a welcome part of the process. She added that a celebration event for the Mineral Hospital site was planned for September 21st 2019.

 

The Panel RESOLVED to note the confirmed dates for relocating RNHRD services from the Mineral Water Hospital site, Bath, to the RUH Combe Park site in Autumn 2019, following completion of a phased programme of Public and Patient Engagement.

 

 

Supporting documents: