Issue - items at meetings - Brighton & Hove LINk: Recent Reports

Recent reports from the Brighton & Hove Link for information. The LINk reports focus on: a) healthcare for the Polish community in Brighton & Hove; b) car parking at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (copies attached).

Claire Stevens, the BHLINk host manager will be able to answer members’ questions

23.1    This item was introduced by Claire Stevens, LINK Host manager, and Mick Lister, LINK Steering Group member who informed members about recent LINk reports focusing on car parking at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH) and health services for the local Polish community.

23.2    Members and the LINk representatives agreed that Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals Trust (BSUHT) and city partners would need to look very carefully at parking options, particularly in the context of additional pressures during the proposed 3T development of the RSCH site. These should include the possibility of a park and ride scheme for visitors and/or for hospital staff, the offer on concessionary bus fares etc.

23.3    In answer to a members’ question regarding the apparent fecundity of Polish women living in Brighton & Hove in comparison to women living in Poland, members were told that the LINk had approached an academic expert to explain this survey finding and had been told that there might be a number of explanations including relatively high UK pay rates, job security, benefit levels and free at point of use healthcare which would explain the difference.

23.4    The Chair thanked Mr Lister and Ms Stevens for their contributions.