Agenda item

The Chairman invited Fiona Erne, Deputy Head of Primary Care, NHS England (North Central and East London), Surraya Ayshea Richards, Chief Information Officer, NHS Property Services, and Robert Braham, Regional Asset Manager (London) NHS Property Services, to the table.

The Chairman referred to a letter that she had received from Tony Griffiths, Regional Director – London, NHS Property Services dated 19 October 2015 which she had previously read out at the last Committee meeting.  The Chairman noted that the letter had confirmed that services at East Barnet Health Centre would resume from 19 October 2015. 

Mr. Braham informed the Committee that the refurbishment was completed and that the lift had been installed on 6 December 2015.  The Committee noted that the GPs were back at the Health Centre and that the return to the site had been a success. 

A Member noted that there was empty space on the first floor of the Health Centre where CLCH were due to be moving in to.  The Member questioned what services CLCH would be providing at the site.  Mr. Braham informed the Committee that he was not sure as to the nature of the services that CLCH would provide at the site.  Mr. Graham said that the Trust had had the opportunity to come back to NHS Property Services in relation to the lease but they had not.  The Member expressed concern about payments being made from public money for the space while it is empty. Mr. Braham noted the concern.  The Chairman commented on the importance of finding out what plans CLCH had for their space at the East Barnet Health Centre.  

The Chairman noted that the Barnet Governance Service would be contacting CLCH in order to submit the Committee’s questions on the Quality Account and suggested that the Committee’s questions about the empty space are also submitted. 

Referring to the report, a Member noted that the terms of lease were expected to be agreed in March 2016.  The Member commented that four months seemed like a long time if no problems were anticipated in the agreement of the lease.  Mr. Braham informed the Committee that if the parties were unable to agree the terms of the lease by March 2016, then relevant legislation would mean that a court would set out the terms and they would have to be accepted by both parties.  The Committee noted that NHS Property Service had entered into the legal process with the GPs and wished to reach an agreement without the matter going to court. 

The Committee noted that when the opening date had been finalised, NHS PS had taken out adverts in the local press, placed signs outside the practice to advertise its reopening and made leaflets available at Vale Drive.  NHS England had also sent out letters to the Practice’s patients. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Mr. Braham informed the Committee that in order to accommodate East Barnet Health Centre at the Vale Drive Practice, the previous occupiers had temporarily moved out and would be returning. 

A Member questioned how NHS PS, as a national organisation, prioritised their resources.  Mr. Braham advised the Committee that the key priority was safety. Therefore, when it was discovered that the East Barnet Health Centre had asbestos, the work was prioritised.    The Committee noted that once the asbestos had been cleared, NHS Property Services had noted that although finances were considered on a national level, local issues were always considered. 

A Member welcomed the work that NHS Property Services had done on communicating the re-opening of the Centre.  The Chairman commented that whilst the free shuttle bus service between the practices had a low take up, those who had used it had been very grateful.  Mr. Braham informed the Committee that if patients arrived at the wrong surgery not realising that their appointment had moved, NHS Property Services had provided private hire transport to patients who had arrived on public transport.

RESOLVED that:-

1.    The Committee notes the report;

2.    The Committee requests that CLCH provide the Committee with information on their plans to occupy space on the first floor of the East Barnet Health Centre.