Agenda item

Purpose: To provide an update on the status and activities of the redevelopment programme.

 Alison Foster, Programme Director, Building Berkshire Together Hospital Redevelopment, presented the report on the Building Berkshire Together (Agenda Item 7). She gave some background on the New Hospital Programme and advised that the Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) was not due to go to construction until 2025/26. Alison Foster advised that the Strategic Case had been submitted and they were now looking at the Outline Business Case and also the Programme Business Case. The funding envelope had been agreed but they were awaiting an announcement regarding the final funding allocation and what the scheduling would be. The National Hospital Programme (NHP) had advised it would be announced shortly. They would then work with the NHP on the plan to deliver in more detail. They had also been looking at the Clinical Model and Digital Strategy as well as communication and engagement.

Alison Foster advised the Committee that they held a Newbury Matters event a couple of weeks ago and they were in the process of writing up the feedback from that event. Alison Foster highlighted that travel and transport was a key concern of people in West Berkshire, particularly should the new hospital be further away than it currently was. There were also discussions around utilising West Berkshire Community Hospital more. Any issues that could currently be addressed were fed back to appropriate departments. All those who had attended would be updated on actions. Alison Foster referenced the Building Berkshire Together website and encouraged people to be involved.

Councillor Linden asked about the pathway of care following a visit to the minor injuries unit at West Berkshire Community Hospital. He advised there were difficulties in being referred to the GP practice for follow up care that was needed in the following days due to a lack of short notice appointments. Sarah Webster advised that the ICB were looking at this pathway particularly regarding dressings and wound care.

Councillor Linden asked whether the delay in funding had impacted on maintenance and developments needed at the RBH. Alison Foster advised some areas had got worse. The Estates and Facilities Team prioritised what areas needed doing. There were areas with issues that had got worse over the last few years. That had been advising the New Hospital Programme.

Councillor Moore asked if similar events to the Newbury Matters event would be held in West Berkshire. Alison advised that the events were paused whilst they went through the shortlisting process, but they would restart again. Alison Foster advised that events needed to be more targeted to reach different segments of the community and they were working with Healthwatch to do that. They would return to Newbury as part of that.

Councillor Macro asked if there was a timeline regarding the funding announcements. Alison Foster confirmed that it was due imminently but they had no idea when. She noted it was a significant announcement that would be handled carefully.

Councillor Bridgman advised that he attended the Reading event where many in attendance were keen to keep the hospital at the current site. Councillor Bridgman noted that what could be achieved was wholly dependent on what funding was allocated. It was highlighted that the amount of work needed at the Craven Road site to make it suitable for a different use was so significant that it would not pay for a new hospital elsewhere.