Agenda item - Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust: Plans to Develop a Community Health Hub on the Brighton General Hospital Site

Report of the Executive Lead for Strategy, Governance & Law on Sussex Community Foundation Trust plans to develop a Community Health Hub on the Brighton General Hospital site (copy attached)

26.1    This item was presented by Mike Jennings, SCFT Deputy Chief Executive.

26.2    Mr Jennings explained how the plans for the Brighton General Hospital (BGH) site had progressed, noting that the preferred option retains all patient-services on the site, other than some Brighton & Sussex University Hospital Trust (BSUH) services which are being temporarily provided at the BGH, but will either be moved back to the Royal Sussex County Hospital or provided in a city community setting. Oliver Phillips, BSUH Director of Strategy, confirmed that the two trusts were working closely together to ensure that this transfer is seamless.

26.3    In response to a question on bus access from Cllr Allen, Mr Jennings confirmed that the trust will talk to the bus company about access, specifically including the feasibility of having a bus enter the site to make patient access as simple as possible.

26.4    In answer to a query from Cllr Allen on the future of rough sleeping services, it was explained that there was no intention of moving user-facing services from their central Brighton location at Morley Street. However, some administrative staff would be moved.

26.5    Cllr Marsh noted that local residents had concerns about access for local people if GP services relocate to BGH. The area is very hilly, so that even residents who live only a short distance from the BGH may find accessing it difficult.

26.6    In response to a question from Cllr Greenbaum on staff consultation, members were told that over 80% are in favour of the trust’s preferred option for development. Of the 20% opposed, some prefer a different option or simply do not want to contemplate change. Specific concerns have been raised about traffic congestion, public transport provision and the hilly nature of the BGH site.

26.7    In answer to a question from Fran McCabe about health visitors, the committee was told that the BGH site is not used to provide a patient-facing health visitor service, so patients will not be adversely affected by the plans.

26.8    In response to a query by Cllr Hill as to the ambitions and the financial underpinning of plans, members were informed that the preferred option represents the simplest of the re-designs originally proposed. Any re-design must be wholly funded by disposing of some of the site for housing. SCFT need to secure a reasonable market value for this land to make their plans tenable, but do not need to secure maximum value for everything.

26.9    In answer to a question from the Chair about listed building status, the committee was told that A Block is listed, but that other aspects of the BGH site also have heritage value, including the flint wall curtilage.

26.10  Mr Jennings told members that there will be a mix of market, affordable and key worker housing on the BGH site. However, the precise details of this will have to be negotiated with developers. The Chair noted that he would like to see some extra care housing provision on the site also.

26.11  The chair thanked Mr Jennings for his presentation and looked forward to future updates.

26.12 RESOLVED – that the report be noted.