Agenda item

To receive an update from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust on development of its proposals for a major modernisation of its services and buildings.

John Underwood, Nicky Lloyd and Andrew Stratham from the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust provided an update to the Board on the development of their proposals for a major modernisation of their services and buildings.

Nicky Lloyd outlined that the Trust sought an ongoing and engaged relationship with the Health and Wellbeing Board, and to keep members updated throughout the process.

John Underwood, from Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, provided a presentation on the developments. He noted that the Trust was beginning a major modernisation of its services and its buildings. It had been developing the programme for some time and it could now progress work because the Department of Health & Social Care had allocated seed funding to the Trust to develop a Strategic Outline Case for improved hospital facilities. He noted that their dual objective was to develop and deliver outstanding NHS services that are fit for the future, and to play a greater part in the growth and development of the local economy.

The presentation highlighted a number of points:

Background:

·         The Government’s Health Infrastructure Plan (HIP) will provide funding for new hospital projects over the next ten years

·         RBFT was one of 21 trusts selected for seed funding to develop ideas for new hospital facilities

·         RBFT had developed a strategic outline case for HM Treasury

·         All redevelopment opportunities were being considered

·         This was a major opportunity for the NHS and local community to improve its services, improve patient experience and patient environment

The case for change:

·         Condition - the condition of the hospital buildings were sub-optimal which affected both staff and patient experience

·         Capacity - the hospital was also already operating beyond its planned capacity

·         Climate - the buildings contributed to the climate emergency rather than reducing emissions

·         Capability - the existing buildings were designed to support a 19^th/ 20^th century level of care

·         Catalyst - a catalyst to contribute to the local economy

Possible scenarios:

1)    Do nothing - only addressing the most high-risk backlog of maintenance issues

2)    Do minimum - addressing more backlog maintenance

3)    New Emergency Care Block -  expanded A&E, new ICU, new theatres - this option would not meet the expected future demand

4)    New Emergency Care Block plus new Elective Care Block and new women’s and children’s facility – this option would allow for growth of clinical services and would better address developing local needs

5)    Substantially new hospital on the current site – this option would support growing demand and improve integration of care services

6)    Completely new hospital on greenfield site

Councillor Woollaston asked about the timeframes and possible disruptions.

Nicky Lloyd noted that services would have to ensure continuity before any development could take place and inevitably there would be some disruption, but that service continuity would never be compromised.

Andrew Stratham noted that timing depended on central Government and how quickly the Treasury would respond.

Councillor Vickers asked what the feedback was from the public consultation on the proposed development. She also asked if public transport to the hospital would be considered with the proposals.

Nicky Lloyd noted that transport and travel to the hospital were being looked into in detail. She also stated that consultants were being used to improve access for the elderly and disabled once they were at the hospital.

Gary Poulson asked what the Trust’s preferred development options were.

Nicky Lloyd noted that options 4, 5 and 6 were their preferred options as they were a substantial improvement from what was currently on offer. She noted that a site for option 6 would still need to be decided.

Councillor Doherty asked how the Health and Wellbeing Board could help with the proposals.

John Underwood indicated that engagement with local stakeholders was crucial. The development of the Outline Business Case would allow for continued online engagement through focus groups. He stated that there was also an Engagement Advisory Group that would help with the engagement with the voluntary and business sector. He explained that the purpose of sharing with the Board was to provide a continuing engagement throughout the consultation process and to ensure further development with local residents.

Councillor Bridgman noted that the Council was playing a vital role in sharing the messaging of the proposals with residents of West Berkshire.

Nicky Lloyd indicated that a key pillar of the new development was to promote the importance of health and wellbeing throughout communities and the work of local networks was crucial to achieving this.

RESOLVED that the progress update be noted.