Motion submitted Councillor Holt
“Eastbourne Borough Council calls upon the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to withdraw its proposal to close the walk-in and GP service at Eastbourne Station Health Centre.
We believe that the current consultation process is flawed and has understated the importance of the existing GP and Walk-In service in the town centre. Many of the patients using the Walk-In Centre are not registered patients and would be unable to take part in any consultation.
The Walk-In Centre in delivering a vital service for many homeless people including those who are part of the Rough Sleeping Initiative, and for those who have no fixed home address and may not be registered with GP practices. Many of these people have multiple complex needs and have established a link with the station health service. Without this, many people would simply stop accessing health services or would put pressure on the Primary Care service at the DGH, as their health problems escalate.
The Walk-In service provides a unique access to healthcare not replicated elsewhere in the town and is an important safety net for patients who cannot gain an appointment at other GP surgeries. Our key industry is Tourism and the Walk-in centre provides a vital and accessible facility for anyone taken ill whilst visiting our town. It is also an important service to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues or who may be living in temporary accommodation in our town, all of whom may need help from a GP but may be unable to book an appointment in advance.
If the Station Health Centre is closed it would affect the most vulnerable communities in Eastbourne disproportionately. Further, the Council is concerned about the resulting reduction in GP provision in the Town Centre and additional pressure on other, already overstretched surgeries.
The Council calls upon the CCGs to halt this process, and wait until the coronavirus crisis has eased, in order to carry out an evaluation of the future needs of patients based upon evidence in the post Covid-19 situation.”
Minutes:
Councillor Holt moved and Councillor Rodohan seconded the motion set out on the agenda, to ask the Clinical Commissioning Group to withdraw its proposal to close the walk-in and GP service at Eastbourne Station Health Centre.
Councillor Ansell moved and Councillor Di Cara seconded an alternative recommendation, which had been circulated to all Councillors, as below:
“Eastbourne Borough Council calls upon the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to guarantee the continuing service of the Eastbourne Station Health Centre until at least 2023. This will provide important continuity of care in the pandemic and its aftermath, safeguard general capacity and, secure the expertise of the ESHC in the fight against the virus, notably to play a significant role in any prospective COVID vaccination programme. Further, ahead of any decision to close the ESHC, that the CCG satisfy 3 public confidence tests:
1. Plans for a town centre satellite centre practice envisaged by the new Old Town super practice, Victoria Medical Centre, have been agreed and delivered.
2. Talks with partnership groups such as the Salvation Army and others whose premises could be used to provide outreach GP and wider health support to vulnerable groups, have been concluded and services negotiated and commissioned.
3. Demonstrate that GP provision in the town centre reflects prospective town centre housing development, circa 1000 new households. That current town centre GP practices have been able to re-open their lists.
When these tests have been satisfied, the CCG to go back out to local public consultation.”
In considering the amendment, Councillor Tutt asked the Mayor if he would consider holding a short adjournment in order to enable Councillor Holt and Councillor Ansell to discuss the potential for a shared revised motion incorporating the best of both versions. With the agreement from Councillor Holt and Councillor Ansell, the Mayor agreed to adjourn the meeting for 10 minutes, and to return to the matter to the end of the meeting.
When returning to this item, Councillor Holt moved and Council Ansell seconded a revised motion. This was put to the Council and agreed unanimously.
Resolved that:
“Eastbourne Borough Council calls upon the NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to withdraw its proposal to close the walk in and GP service at Eastbourne Station Health Centre.
We believe that the current consultation process is flawed and has understated the importance of the existing GP and Walk-In service in the town centre. Many of the patients using the Walk-In centre are not registered patients and would be unable to take part in any consultation.
The Walk-In centre in delivering a vital service for many homeless people including those who are part of the Rough Sleeping Initiative, and for those who have no fixed home address and may not be registered with GP practices. Many of these people have multiple complex needs and have established a link with the station health service. Without this, many people would simply stop accessing health services or would put pressure on the Primary Care service at the DGH, as their health problems escalate.
The Walk-In service provides a unique access to healthcare not replicated elsewhere in the town and is an important safety net for patients who cannot gain an appointment at other GP surgeries. Our key industry is Tourism and the Walk-In centre provides a vital and accessible facility for anyone taken ill whilst visiting out town. It is also an important service to people with learning disabilities, mental health issues or who may be living in temporary accommodation in our town, all of whom may need help from a GP but may be unable to book an appointment in advance.
The Walk In Centre would provide important continuity of care in the pandemic and its aftermath, safeguard general capacity and, secure the expertise of the ESHC in the fight against the virus, notably to play a significant role in any prospective COVID vaccination programme.
Further, ahead of any decision to close the ESHC, that the CCG satisfy 3 public confidence tests:
1.
Plans for a town centre satellite centre
practice envisaged by the new Old Town super practice, Victoria
Medical Centre, have been agreed and
delivered.
2.
Talks with partnership groups such as the
Salvation Army and others whose premises could be used to provide
outreach GP and wider health support to vulnerable groups, have
been concluded and services negotiated and
commissioned.
3. Demonstrate that GP provision in the town centre reflects prospective town centre housing development, circa 1000 new households. That current town centre GP practices have been able to re-open their lists.
When these tests have been satisfied, the CCG to go back out to local public consultation.”
(Note - Councillor Belsey left the room during the discussion of the item and took no part in the vote on this matter).
[The meeting was adjourned for a period of 10 minutes at 7.30 pm during the discussion of this item]