To receive petitions from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.

The Committee will receive a petition that was referred from Council on 13 September 2012 that ‘protests against any threat of closure of the Biggleswade Hospital’

The Committee was informed that a petition had been submitted to the Council in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 2 of Part A4 of the Constitution.  This petition was referred from Council on 13 September 2012 and protested against any threat of closure of the Biggleswade Hospital.

The petition was introduced by Ms Brunt who drew attention to the concern felt by local residents.  In particular Ms Brunt commented on the benefit of such a hospital in light of the increasing ageing population.  The hospital also prevented problems that could be caused by discharging some patients directly to their home when they were not ready.  Ms Brunt raised the concern that providing care in the community could often lead to patients feeling neglected.  The present situation at Biggleswade Hospital was considered to be unsatisfactory and if there were beds available they should be used.

In response R Winter, the Executive Director for Integrated Services Bedfordshire & Luton (SEPT),provided a presentation (attached), which outlined the background and services that were presently commissioned at Biggleswade Hospital.  The presentation also outlined why only 6 beds were currently occupied and why there were no male beds currently open.

The Chairman also permitted three other members of the public in attendance an opportunity to speak.  These speakers raised issues that included the positive experience of patients at Biggleswade Hospital over many years.  It was also queried whether patients were being given the choice of going to Biggleswade Hospital as there had been a significant change in the number of admissions from the previous year.

Ms Brunt had also registered to speak in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Annex 1 of Part A4 of the Constitution and with her approval was invited to speak again under this item.  Ms Brunt stated that there was evidence from a GP that Biggleswade Hospital was purposefully being run down and that patients had only started to be referred to the Hospital once GPs had met with SEPT.  There were also issues relating to interventions.

In response R Winter stated that SEPT would provide care that was most appropriate for the patient and this would be supported by patient choice.  If it was appropriate for the care to be provided in a patients home then this would be supported as it is much better for patients to have rehabilitation in their own homes.  R Winter explained that for periods of 2011 the Archer Unit had been closed with no impact to acute or social care and all patients were treated and cared for appropriately.  Specific services were commissioned from SEPT by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and SEPT would continue to deliver what was requested of them.  It was said that John Rooke had indicated he was not aware of “other intervention”.  R Winter suggested there had been a mis-communication as the CCG had been aware of the new services provision.  It was also stated that the current Community Bed Review would provide a clear direction regarding the bed requirement and the future of the Hospital.

D Gray, the Director of Strategy & System Redesign, Bedfordshire CCG, also responded that there were no plans at present to change the number of beds that were commissioned at Biggleswade Hospital.  A Community Bed Review was currently underway that would provide proposals for the number and location of beds across the whole of Bedfordshire.  These  proposals would be the subject of public consultation.  The Healthier Together review of acute services across the South East Midlands could also impact on the delivery of services at Biggleswade Hospital.  In summary D Gray stated that:-

1.      the Hospital was currently open and would be expected to remain open;

2.      the CCG was currently reviewing provision across the whole of Bedfordshire but ultimately more would be commissioned, not less.  This review was being undertaken in partnership with Central Bedfordshire and Bedford Borough Councils.; and

3.      the CCG would welcome feedback on the proposals of the Community Bed Review as they became available as part of a 12 week consultation.

The Executive Member commented that the communication relating to Biggleswade Hospital had been poor, which had resulted in a large amount of distress for the community.  In the future health providers should discuss proposals with the Council to ensure that suitable communication could be undertaken with local communities.  In response R Winter commented that experience in relation to Biggleswade Hospital showed the importance of health and social care working together and this would be managed more effectively in the future.

In addition to these issues the Committee Members and other Members in attendance discussed the following issues:-

·        The cost of patients being admitted to Biggleswade Hospital compared to other hospitals locally and whether Biggleswade Hospital would provide better value for money if it was full.  In response officers commented that they could not provide a comparison of costs but commented that the most appropriate place to care for patients was in their own home where possible.  It was also noted that a hospital with 6 patients was not the best use of public money.

·        The benefits of facilities such as the step-up step-down facility and whether such a facility could be provided in Biggleswade.  In response officers commented that an evaluation of the Houghton Regis facility was currently underway and following the completion of the Community Bed Review consideration would be given to whether this facility could work elsewhere.

·        The ownership of Biggleswade Hospital and the importance of understanding who owned the property if it was decided to close the facility.  Officers responded that this was timely due to national changes in the way that assets were managed.

·        Concerns regarding the closure of facilities such as Biggleswade Hospital in light of the ageing population and the increasing demand for services locally in relation to stroke care.  It was commented that there was also increasing demand locally as a result of further housing development, which would impact on the need for health care.

·        The shortage of district nurses and whether it was appropriate for them to be carrying out additional medical interventions.

·        The importance of being clear with regard to what is meant by bed-blocking and respite care.

In summary the Chairman commented that SEPT and the CCG needed to learn from this experience in relation to Biggleswade Hospital.  In the future communication should be more effective to ensure that residents were aware of the current situation.

RECOMMENDED

That the outcomes of the Community Bed Review be submitted to the Social Care, Health and Housing OSC as soon as they become available.

NOTE: Councillor Duckett left the room during consideration of this item and was not present when the Committee made this recommendation.

The meeting was adjourned at 11.42am and reconvened at 11.55am