Issue - meetings

Consideration was given to a report presented by Chris Edwards, Chief Operating Officer, Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group, stating that the formal public consultation on the proposals for Urgent Care had concluded on 26th July, 2013, after 18 months of engagement which had taken the form of a series of discussions, focus groups, market research and briefings.  Work with local stakeholders, including patient and community groups, had initially helped the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group to understand the use and perceptions of NHS services and how they could be improved and developed to meet patient needs.  The formal consultation had sought views on the proposal to bring together services for patients who required urgent care into one place, at a new Urgent Care Centre.

The consultations results were now being analysed.  There had been 98 responses from individuals/groups with an equal division between those who either agreed/strongly agreed with the proposals and those who disagreed/strongly disagreed.  11% of responders were neutral.  The main issues raised included:-

-          Car parking at the hospital (availability, convenience, cost, proximity to Urgent Care Centre)

-          Quality of care (i.e. the desire to see quality at least maintained or improved overall as well as the opportunities closer working with Accident and Emergency would bring)

-          Convenience of the Walk-in Centre location (this included both its physical location and the convenience of the services it offered)

Comments had also been received about the physical accessibility of the proposed building and how the design and planning of the new service could improve the patient and carer experience.

The Board noted that the Governing Body of the Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group would also be considering this issue during November 2013.

Resolved:- That the report be received and its contents noted.