Decision details

Committee to receive a report on the utilisation of facilities at Finchley Memorial Hospital

Mr. Barnett remained at the table and introduced the report, which provided the Committee with an update on the plans to develop new services at Finchley Memorial Hospital and improve the utilisation of the building.

The Committee noted that the CCG’s preferred options for the utilisation of the site were as follows:

1.)  An Older Person’s Assessment Service: Which would provide good value for money and would be suitable for the types of patients that were anticipated at the hospital. 

2.)  Using the empty in-patient ward to expedite transfer of patients from acute care.

3.)  Breast Screening Unit: There is currently a mobile facility on site every four months but the CCG want this service to be permanently located within the hospital and available all year.

4.)  New Primary Care Services, closely aligned to the existing Walk-in Centre.

The Committee noted that talks about the utilisation of the site had led to suggestions that the space could also incorporate a community hub and the CCG were in early talks with one community group about taking up some space in the building. 

A Member expressed her frustration and noted that the Committee were told in October 2015 that the empty space was going to be put to use but that this had not yet come to fruition.  The Member commented that there were a huge number of patients needing treatment and that this space needed to be used.  The Member noted that the ideas of the utilisation of the site were excellent, but that a decision needed to be taken on the matter so that progress could be made.  Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that the CCG had been through a huge amount of change in terms of senior staffing and that making a decision to move this forward was now progressing.  Mr. Barnet advised the Committee that, where possible, the CCG was working with existing providers such as The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and Central London Community Healthcare NHS Trust (CLCH) to make sure that the space can be utilised safely whilst providing value for money.  It was acknowledged by Mr. Barnett that the empty space was incurring a significant cost.

The Member commented that the space was empty and questioned why patients could not just be moved in.  Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that the CCG was required to commission certain services and had to follow the correct procedures.  Mr. Barnett also noted that the CCG was taking the issue very seriously due to both the cost and pressure on the wider system.  The Member noted that the Committee had expressed concern on the same matter a year ago.

A Member noted the issue of the cost of renting space on the site and commented that it could be difficult to persuade GP Practices to be based on site.    Responding to a question from a Member, Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that the Walk in Centre is not a GP Practice but, by having it closely aligned with one, if a patient attending the Walk in Centre was not already registered with a Practice, they could register there. 

The Member questioned how Delayed Transfer of Care could be reduced.  Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that closer integration of primary care with secondary providers would assist with improving figures for Delayed Transfer of Care through the Discharge to Assess (DTA) service once commissioned. 

The Chairman noted that the Older Person’s Assessment Service would be opened by the end of the year but sought clarification as to whether this meant the financial year or the calendar year.  Mr. Barnett undertook to provide this information to the Committee outside of the meeting.

A Member commented that the way that CCGs commission services can result in problems such as getting services into a complex building like Finchley Memorial Hospital and questioned when the problems started and if there would be a change in the way the NHS commissions.  Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that it is difficult to commission good quality services into a building already being used by other services and that may require building works to facilitate service delivery. The Committee noted that former Primary Care Trusts used to have powers to provide services but the CCG is not a provider and instead commissions services. The Committee noted that NHS England and the CCG have powers to jointly commission services as part of North Central London.  However, this can cause some delay as there are five CCGs involved.  The Committee noted that the CCG is hoping to move to Level 3 commissioning which would reduce NHS England’s involvement and is consulting with GP practices before making a final decision along with the other CCGs in the NCL cluster.

The Chairman sought clarification as to whether the empty inpatient ward would be operational in time for winter 2016.  Mr. Barnet undertook to provide this information outside the meeting.

Responding to a question from the Chairman on the mobile Breast Screening Unit, Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that the unit visited the site three times a year and would ordinarily expect the next visit to the site again in November 2016 but that he expected the permanent Breast Screening Unit to be housed before November 2016. 

The Chairman suggested that the Committee receive an update report on the Finchley Memorial Hospital site at their meeting in December 2016.  The Chairman also requested that the issue of primary care services be covered in that report.

A Member questioned if it would be possible to integrate the Falls clinic at Finchley Memorial Hospital with the Older Person’s Assessment Service.  Mr. Barnett informed the Committee that the service would take a holistic approach in undertaking assessments on Older People. Such a service would be designed to encompass a range of services provided by other organisations such as the Falls clinic either in partnership or as part of the service itself. This could also include psychological therapies and psychiatry work. 

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Committee notes the report.

2.    The Committee requests to be informed whether the empty inpatient ward would be operational in time for winter 2016.

3.    The Committee requests that the Director of Strategic Development at Barnet CCG be invited to provide a further update report to the Committee at their meeting in December 2016.