Motion 05/2024 moved by Councillor P Thompson and seconded by Councillor M Forster
Council expresses concern in relation to the Government’s statement in Parliament on 29 July, that the previous Government’s national New Hospital Programme (NHP) is to be completely reviewed. This has brought uncertainty and probable delays to the provision of improved, safe and modern hospital services for residents of Bracknell Forest. Council supports the statements made by the Royal Berkshire and Frimley Park hospitals that, pending clarification of what the Government’s review will entail, they will continue to progress at pace with their re-development plans.
Council notes that:
· Bracknell Forest is the only borough in Berkshire without its own acute or community hospital. Consequently, our residents rely mainly on the Secondary Care hospital services provided by the hospitals at Frimley Park, the Royal Berkshire, and Wexham Park.
· Frimley Park Hospital is included in the NHP for complete re-development, because it was built using Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC), which makes up around 65 per cent of the current building. RAAC deteriorates over time and is now at the end of its life, which the hospital has said poses a potential safety risk to patients, visitors, and staff. Two wards have already been closed, and temporary measures are being taken by the Trust.
· The Royal Berkshire Hospital is also included in the NHP, for substantial re-development. That Hospital Trust has said that its ageing estate makes it difficult for them to deliver modern healthcare in the way they would like – the buildings were designed at a different time to care for fewer patients with different needs than those of today.
· Both hospitals’ redevelopments were due to be completed by 2030, but the National Audit Office has reported numerous delays in implementing the NHP, and they have described it as ‘an ambitious and high-risk programme in many ways’.
· The demand on our hospitals is huge. Over 7 million people in England are currently waiting for NHS hospital treatment. Also, the population of Bracknell Forest has almost doubled from 64,000 in 1971 to some 125,000 currently. Further increases are expected, not least because of the Government’s intention to require more new housing to be built in our Borough.
· At its meeting on 19 March this year, Council approved the establishment of a Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, jointly with Hampshire County Council and Surrey County Council, to scrutinise the relocation of Frimley Park Hospital. Council appointed Councillors Egglestone and Virgo to sit on the committee; and requested them to undertake a programme of public engagement activities to communicate the committee’s work and decisions to residents, and to enable residents the opportunity to feedback into the process so that their needs and views are properly represented.
Council:
· Asks the Leader of the Council to convey to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, this Council’s concern over the impact on residents of any delay in the re-development of Frimley Park and the Royal Berkshire hospitals.
· Asks Councillors Egglestone and Virgo to:
i. Convey to the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee, this Council’s concern over the impact on residents of any delay in the re-development of Frimley Park hospital.
ii. Report to Council on the programme of public engagement which they were requested to carry out, also on the progress of the Joint Committee.
· Encourages the Health and Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel, in collaboration with the Health and Wellbeing Board, to rigorously monitor the delivery of the much-needed redevelopments of Frimley Park and the Royal Berkshire hospitals, and to report their views on progress to Council at the earliest opportunity.
Minutes:
Since the agenda had been published the mayor advised that there was a minor alteration to the motion (highlighted below in bold).
“Council expresses concern in relation to the Government’s statement in Parliament on 29 July, that the previous Government’s national New Hospital Programme (NHP) is to be completely reviewed because of their inadequate funding of the programme. This has brought uncertainty and probable delays to the provision of improved, safe and modern hospital services for residents of Bracknell Forest. Council supports the statements made by the Royal Berkshire and Frimley Park hospitals that, pending clarification of what the Government’s review will entail, they will continue to progress at pace with their re-development plans.”
Motion 05/2024 was moved by Councillor P Thompson and seconded by
Councillor M Forster.
“Council expresses concern in relation to the Government’s statement in Parliament on 29 July, that the previous Government’s national New Hospital Programme (NHP) is to be completely reviewed because of their inadequate funding of the programme. This has brought uncertainty and probable delays to the provision of improved, safe and modern hospital services for residents of Bracknell Forest. Council supports the statements made by the Royal Berkshire and Frimley Park hospitals that, pending clarification of what the Government’s review will entail, they will continue to progress at pace with their re-development plans,
Council:
On being put to the vote, the motion was carried.