RESOLVED:

1.         That it be noted that the formal public consultation on plans to centralise major acute services within Epsom and St Helier’s NHS Trust is open until 1 April 2020.

2.         That the key lines of enquiry that the Council will propose in its response as described in paragraph 2.16 of the Cabinet report be noted.

3.         That it be noted that the Director of Communities and Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and the Environment, will finalise and submit the Council’s response to the Improving Healthcare Together 2020 – 2030 consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and the Environment presented the report, noting the Council’s thanks to all those working in the NHS during the current Coronavirus crisis.  He advised that the Improving Healthcare Together consultation, which was looking at a reconfiguration of the services provided at the Epsom and St Helier Trust, was due to conclude on 1 April.  The Council’s response would not be ready until just before the deadline and therefore the report set out the key lines of enquiry and asked the Cabinet to note those and that the response would be finalised by the Director after consultation with the Cabinet Member.

The report outlined the engagement which had taken place over the last three years and the work which was ongoing with health consultants over the social deprivation in the wards surrounding the St Helier hospital and the impact on those residents of reconfiguring the services.  It was noted that the Council had a longstanding position of supporting the retention of the current suite of services at St Helier hospital and the report set out the previous motions which had been debated and agreed by the Council over the last three years in this matter.  In addition to a response being submitted by the Executive, a report would be also be considered by Scrutiny and the Cabinet Member would be working closely with the Chair of the Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel, who was one of Merton’s representatives on the SW London joint scrutiny committee to ensure that the Council’s response was discussed.

The Chair reiterated the Council’s support for the NHS workers in the current Coronavirus crisis and also the longstanding position of the Council which was concerned over the impact of the proposed reconfiguration on deprived communities.

RESOLVED:

1.         That it be noted that the formal public consultation on plans to centralise major acute services within Epsom and St Helier’s NHS Trust is open until 1 April 2020.

2.         That the key lines of enquiry that the Council will propose in its response as described in paragraph 2.16 of the Cabinet report be noted.

3.         That it be noted that the Director of Communities and Housing in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, Health and the Environment, will finalise and submit the Council’s response to the Improving Healthcare Together 2020 – 2030 consultation.