Decision details

At their meeting on 30 March 2015, the Committee considered an update on the East Barnet Health Centre.  The Committee invited representatives from NHS England and NHS Property Services to present on this.

Both NHS England and NHS Property Services advised that due to their Purdah regulations, they would not be able to attend the meeting on 30 March 2015.  The Committee have therefore requested that they attend a future meeting on the Committee to provide a further update and respond to Member’s questions. 

The Chairman introduced the report and noted that the item had been put on the Committee Forward Work Programme as a result of a Member’s Item in the name of Councillor Amy Trevethan.

The Chairman invited Alan Keane, the Assistant Head of Primary Care for North Central London at NHS England, Robert Braham, the Regional Asset Manager for NHS Property Services Ltd, and Hannah Murdoch, the Head of Communications (Acting) at LondonNHS Property Services Ltd, to the table.

The Chairman invited Mr. Braham to provide the Committee with an update.  Mr. Braham advised the Committee that the centre was currently undergoing refurbishment and it was expected to be completed by end of September 2015.  The Committee noted that there had been further asbestos discovered on the site and now that it had all been cleared, the full refurbishment should be completed by the autumn. 

A Member questioned if service users had been consulted when the feasibility study for the East Barnet Health Centre was undertaken.  The Committee also noted that NHS England had issued a letter to all patients in the autumn to inform them that the Centre would be closed for longer than first expected.  The Committee were advised that in December 2014, a further review was undertaken and the four possible options arising were presented to patients at a meeting held at the beginning of February 2015.  The Committee noted that the overwhelming view of patients was that they wanted the existing centre refurbished, instead of re-built so that it could be re-opened as soon as possible. 

Responding to a question from the Chairman, Mr. Braham advised the Committee that the work was on track and on budget. 

The Vice Chairman welcomed the shuttlebus that was being used to transport patients to Vale Drive.  The Committee noted that the shuttle service had been successful, although take up had been low.   The Committee was informed that a review was being conducted to assess the number of people using the shuttle and to see if there were alternative options that would provide a method for those patients who have mobility issues to be transported to Vale Drive until the Health Centre is re-opened. 

Responding to a question from the Chairman, Ms. Murdoch advised the Committee that in the last week an average of ten passengers per day had been using the shuttle bus.  The Committee commented that they would like to see an increase in usage of the shuttle bus and noted that NHS Property Services were asking the practices to let patients with mobility issues know that the shuttle is there for their use.  The Committee noted that the Practice Manager had agreed to put posters up in the local area.  Members noted that NHS Property Services were concerned about people misusing the shuttle service, as it ran near a tube station. 

A Member requested that NHS Property Service provide the Committee with the running costs of the shuttle bus. 

A Member questioned if rents had been negotiated with the GPs for the buildings.  The Committee noted that the GPs had been issued with initial documentation and that they would be invited to discuss the rents. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Mr. Braham informed the Committee that, whilst service charges would cost more in a new building, there should be off-setting savings in maintenance charges.

The Committee commented that they would like to receive an update report on the East Barnet Health Centre from NHS England and NHS Property Service at their meeting in December 2015.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The Committee request to be provided with an update report on the East Barnet Health Centre from NHS England and NHS Property Service at their meeting in December 2015.

2.         The Committee note the report.