Agenda item

The Deputy Director of Transformation, Integrated Care Board (ICB), presented a report relating to the outcome of the public consultation on the new health centres / community hubs at Bentley and Rossington.  The Panel was requested to confirm that it was satisfied that the ICB had met its statutory duties in relation to public involvement and consultation in accordance with the NHS Act.

The Chair of the Panel thanked the Deputy Director for early involvement with the proposals and the following questions and queries were addressed:-

Following a request from the Chair it was clarified that £57.5m had been secured by the South Yorkshire ICB for primary care estates.  £15.5m was dedicated to 4 schemes in Doncaster, two of which would be used for new building in Bentley and Rossington,  This proposed that the Bentley Surgery on Bentley High Street and Ransome Practice at the Bentley Health Centre would be moving to the new build site where the library was once to be sited.  The branch GP sites at Woodlands and Sprotbrough would remain and not affected.  In Rossington the West End Clinic and Rossington practice would move further up West End Lane to the edge of the new housing estate.  It was confirmed there would be no closure of GP practices.

Easy read consultation document – In response to concern expressed with regard to this material, it was explained that the proposed document was considered and advised on by Mencap.  The ICB explained that it relied on the GP practices to liaise with all patients and comments received from the different groups were combined. 

In the next phase of development a lot of addition work would be undertaken with patients with regard to how the building will look, feel and navigated to ensure the design was suitable for all people with a disability.  It was noted that the building had been sized for all eventualities and wayfinding workshops would be offered to patient groups.  It was explained that the Panel’s comments, particularly relating to photo stories to communicate and access for people who could find entering such a large building difficult, would be taken on board moving forward.

The Panel noted that the consultation had primarily addressed the siting of the building and there was much more work to be undertaken with regard to how the practices run and welcomed the discussion at this meeting.

Pharmacy Location – It was noted that there were two pharmacies to the Bentley site within walking distance and an internet based pharmacy was within 500 meters walk of the Rossington site.  It was explained that discussions were currently ongoing with Weldricks Chemist for a possible community pharmacy.

With regard to internet based pharmacies, concern was expressed that not everyone had access to or was comfortable with using online facilities.  In response, it was explained that the ICB was aware of digital exclusion within Doncaster and work was currently being undertaken to increase and encourage online use.  Capacity was also being increased for people who regularly used internet services. 

A Member offered to discuss connecting with local communities and IT access to such services, with the officers following the meeting.

Group/event access – in response to the communities’ comments relating to space for events, it was stressed that during the face to face community consultation they had used a building that the community had not been aware of.  The ICB stressed that they were continually making every contact count and something they wished to build on.

It was reported that the Integrated care operational model had the opportunity for use of the building to be expanded, for example, additional clinics, moving into the future and not just for current need.

Future communication – It was noted that communication with patients and residents would continue through GP practices, the local newspapers, radio, social media and any other method appropriate to the community.  It was suggested that local sports clubs could also be used to communicate through.

Travel and access – concern was expressed with regard to people who did not have transport and would be required to walk further to the GP surgery, people from less affluent areas having to pay for a taxis adding to the current cost of living crisis but also in contrast people doing longer car journeys impacting on the environment.  It was noted that a travel plan had been undertaken prior to the consultation plus a survey open to anyone.

Parking was raised as an issue with a mix and match of responses detailing people either drove or got a lift to their GP and further work was required to address comments in the consultation but also from people who did not respond to consultation to ascertain barriers to access.  It was noted that people would travel for good quality care however, it would not mean that travel plans and transport would not be addressed further, for example on specific days where need demands.

A member suggested investigating the commissioning of taxi services across the Borough to assist with access and transport costs.  It was acknowledged that contracts were already in place with Firefly.  Conversations with regard to such proposals would be undertaken prior to the business case being finalised.

The following parking had been allocated:

With regard to environmental impacts it was stressed that as part of the planning application the travel plan was required and staff were strongly encouraged to cycle or use alternative modes of transport to travel to work.

Health Watch – a representative explained that it had been consulted on the issue and had full access to all documentation including the easy read document.  Health Watch’s comments, with regard to the survey, resulted in changes being made.

With regard to consultation with the Gypsy and Traveller community it was clarified that work had been undertaken with the 2 Gypsy and Traveller link workers who had held conversations with 40 members of the local population, but this information had been unfortunately omitted from the paper presented because it had been addressed at an earlier Scrutiny information briefing.  It was noted that recently there had been concerns that the Gypsy and Traveller community was having difficulty registering with local GP surgeries therefore further work and improvements were required.

The Chair thanked the officers for involving the Scrutiny Panel at an early stage in the consultation and keeping Members informed throughout the full process.

RESOLVED that:-

1.     The proposed presented, be accepted; and

2.     The ICB present to a future meeting use of IT for access to pharmacies and GP practices and an overview of the Access Recovery Plan for Primary Care within the Doncaster area.