Agenda item

Report of NHS England.

The Chairman welcomed AttractaAsika from NHS England and John Wardell from Tower Hamlets CCG to the meeting. The Chairman introduced the discussion, advising Sub Committee Members of the previous lack of consultation regarding changes being made to the health services being delivered from the Portsoken Site, and seeking assurances from NHS England and Tower Hamlets CCG that the City of London would be involved fully in consultations regarding future changes (i.e. the move to Goodman’s Field).

Ms Asika apologised that this item had been deferred from the last meeting, and offered the apologies of NHS England for the lack of consultation. She advised that the speed and complexity of the changes had resulted in an oversight during consultations, but assured the Sub Committee that this would not happen again and, at the Chairman’s request, undertook to write to Ward Members to apologise for the mistake. Mr Wardell followed on from this, asserting that any proposed changes would be brought before this Sub Committee in the future.

Mr Wardell reported that the vision for primary care was still in the early stages, but building of the new site at Goodman’s Fields was scheduled to begin in January 2016. He advised that the timescale for completion was anticipated for 2020, though this was subject to change. The Assistant Director advised Members that the lease on the Portsoken Community Health Centre was due to expire in 2018, and Mr Wardell undertook to discuss the options for securing alternative provision of health services with City of London Corporation officers until 2020. The Chairman requested that the use of the word “temporary” be reviewed to ensure residents’ expectations weren’t raised as to how quickly the new Health Centre would be operating, but to also assure them that the build was progressing. Members agreed the necessity to ensure residents were kept fully informed of the process throughout.

RESOLVED – That:

(a)  NHS England write to Portsoken Members; and

(b)  Tower Hamlets CCG and the City of London Corporation discuss the options for securing alternative provision of health services from 2018 until the completion of the new Health Centre in Goodman’s Field.