The motion was moved by Councillor Suzanne Grocott and seconded by Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender.

The Labour amendment, as set out in agenda item 21 was moved by Councillor Tobin Byers and seconded by Councillor Sally Kenny.

The Labour amendment was then put to the vote and was carried – votes in favour 35, and votes against 18 with 5 abstention.

The amended substantive Motion was then put to the vote and was carried – votes in favour 35, and votes against 18 with 5 abstention.

RESOLVED

This council acknowledges that successive governments have tried to downgrade services at St Helier hospital, including accident and emergency and maternity services, and acknowledges the work done by our residents, our local MP Siobhain McDonagh, this administration and many local Councillors to fight these attacks but notes that we must always remain alert to any re-emergence of proposals to close or downgrade our local hospital at St Helier.

Nonetheless, council notes that in recent months our local NHS has sought to work more closely with the council and to take into account the needs of local residents when considering the future shape of health services in the borough and this is very much to be welcomed and encouraged. 

Notwithstanding this, should closure or downgrading proposals re-emerge, council re-iterates its policy to vigorously oppose proposals to close accident and emergency and maternity services at St. Helier Hospital and its resolve to continue to do everything in its power to keep St. Helier Hospital’s accident and emergency, maternity services and other related services open.  

The Council acknowledges that St Helier Hospital is in urgent need of investment, to better serve the needs of Merton residents in its catchment area, since the £219m promised to the hospital under the previous Labour government was withdrawn by Conservative Chancellor George Osborne. The Council has been involved in discussions with the Trust on an action plan developed in conjunction with the Care Quality Commission following its report which found the hospital requiring improvement, to ensure that significant improvements are made. Council will continue to monitor the implementation of this plan closely.

Council is fully aware of recent and proposed consultations, including the current Estates Review and the Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) on which the Council has sought to work closely with the Clinical Commissioning Group.  Council has sought to be an active partner with the NHS in developing 21^st century healthcare facilities right across the borough, whilst always making clear that we will not allow either the Estates Review or the STP to be used as a cover for the resurrection of proposals to close or downgrade St Helier Hospital.

Council notes that the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health:

·             Has already met with the Chair and Chief Officer of Merton CCG to discuss the STP and will continue to meet both regularly alongside council officers in order to discuss the progress of the STP.

·             Has given an indication to the draft STP that the council is likely to welcome an increased focus on community services, whilst making clear that while the Council wants to work in partnership with the local NHS, neither residents or the administration will allow the STP to be used as a cover for a further attack on St Helier hospital.

·             Will shortly be meeting representatives from the NHS to discuss the next steps with regard to the STP.

Accordingly as part of efforts to help secure the high quality, modern health facilities at St Helier and across the borough that Merton residents deserve, this Council notes the Cabinet Member’s work to date to address and deliver proactive engagement with the Epsom & St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust. In particular this work has included and will continue to include:

1.          Ensuring that we do everything in our power to retain a local hospital at St Helier with at least its current range of services

2.          Shaping service delivery that meets the needs of Merton residents.

3.          Through active engagement with the Trust and neighbouring Councils, marshalling lobbying opportunities on decision making authorities in the NHS and Government to identify and promote investment streams, including writing to George Osborne or his successor to again ask that the £219m promised to St Helier hospital is reinstated.

4.          Informing the wider community in Merton about how the Council is working actively, as a champion of its residents, to improve their health and wellbeing, including via My Merton where regular articles on both our local hospital and wider health issues are a regular feature.

5.          Working closely with the CCG on ensuring acute provision across the borough is provided to a high standard, not just at St Helier but also at St George’s.