Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bernadette Parkinson and Kath Pratt.

Councillor Battle acted as substitute representative for Councillor Bernadette Parkinson.

Councillor Glen Harrison declared a pecuniary interest in item 3 – ‘Presentation on the Proposal for Changes to Care at Calderstones Hopsital NHS Trust’ as an employee of Calderstones NHS and a dispensation which had been granted allowing Councillor Harrison to speak on the item.  Councillor Harrison was therefore able to speak but not vote on the item.   

Representatives of NHS England, Lesley Patel (Director of Nursing) and Andrew Simpson (Transformation Manager Mental Health Learning Disabilities) to provide a presentation on the consultation for the proposed redesign of learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder services in the North West.  

Representatives of NHS England, Lesley Patel (Director of Nursing) and Andrew Simpson (Transformation Manager Mental Health Learning Disabilities) provided a presentation on the consultation for the proposed redesign of learning disability and autistic spectrum disorder services in the North West.  Also present at the meeting was Lee Taylor, Chief Operating Officer representing Mersey Care. 

The Overview and Scrutiny Officer reported that the reason for the extra-ordinary Committee was to provide Members with updated information on the consultation for the proposed redesign of the services in the North West affecting Mersey Care Whalley. 

Andrew Simpson provided a presentation on the proposal including the following issues:

·        An appreciation of the challenges posed for the large workforce.

·        Setting the scene for the consultation including the key documents and transformation of care.

·        Provided reasons for the case for change including money saved to be re-invested and that the outcome would be in the best interest of the community.

·        Details of the proposal to consider services for medium and low secure services.

He referred to the two options provided in the proposal:

Option 1 (Preferred Option) – low secure beds with longer term needs.  He reported that the design and location for this had not yet been decided and would possibly be located across the North West.  He pointed out that it was their aim to provide bespoke care for patients. 

Option 2 – to retain the site with less beds with this option being broken down further into 2A and 2B depending on the amount of beds retained at Whalley (Not the Preferred option).  

Members raised the following points:

·        Reports had shown mental health to be under-funded and under-resourced and consequently there was concern about if funding could be guaranteed to continue. 

·        The previous closure of part of Calderstones had seen service users move into the community at the expense of property procurement and service user relocation.  Properties were later sold and service users relocated once again.  Concern was therefore expressed that that this may be repeated and for the welfare of the service user and accessibility by their families.

·        Would the relocation of service users into the community be safe for local residents?

·        That Mersey Care Whalley complied with specifications provided by the Inspectorate and that it currently provided a good service and was implementing changes in culture which would meet the transforming care agenda.  The Committee believed that Mersey Care Whalley still had a part to play in providing a good service. 

·        Fewer people were training to become mental health nurses and Mersey Care Whalley already had qualified and experienced staff to provided good health care service.  Had consideration been given to how appropriately trained staff would be found to provide the care quoted in the consultation.  

·        It had taken years for the hospital to build a relationship with the community and information was provided on the type of initiatives implemented.  Concern was expressed about how to reproduce this level of support.

·        Concern was expressed about the picture of a child  ...  view the full minutes text for item 348.