The Chief Finance Officer/Deputy Chief Executive (Bradford and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups) will present Document “C” which provides an outline of the proposal to close Shipley Hospital. 

Recommended –

1.    That the issues associated with continuing to provide services at Shipley Hospital be noted.

2.    That the plans for engagement and consultation on the proposals to close Shipley Hospital and relocate services be noted.

(Helen Farmer – 01274 237704)

The Chief Finance Officer/Deputy Chief Executive (Bradford and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups) presented Document “C” which provided an outline of the proposal to close Shipley Hospital. 

The summary to the report explained that the hospital currently accommodated radiology, physiotherapy and general surgery outpatient clinics that were run and managed by Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust; a small number of older people’s mental health services managed by Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust and a voluntary sector service. 

Following a request by BTHFT to relocate Radiology services to St Luke’s Hospital, the CCGs and the Trust had worked with NHS Property Services to review the current utilisation of the site. It was explained that this would be subject to further engagement and consultation with the public.

A visit to the hospital had been arranged for Members and other interested parties on Monday 29 July 2019 and, for the benefit of those that had not been able to attend that visit, the report detailed the location, organisation and current condition of the building. 

An additional paper was tabled which mapped the locations of patients using the physiotherapy and radiology services and revealed that the majority of users were from the BD18 area.  The paper also reported that residents of the postcode areas of BD17; BD10; BD12; BD16 and BD9 were also accessing the services.  

The relocation of services currently provided at Shipley Hospital had been considered and alternative provision proposals were outlined in Document “C”.  It was explained that to better utilise radiographic resource to support demand the radiology service could relocate to St Luke’s Hospital.  The move would increase capacity and ensure that the Trust could provide a resilient and timely x-ray service for patients across the District.

Provision of out patient physiotherapy services from a variety of GP practices and community based sites at Westcliffe and Windhill Medical Centres was reported.  It was proposed that Bradford Bereavement Support and memory assessment clinics run from Shipley Hospital would be relocated to a local GP practice.  A general surgery colorectal outpatient clinic would relocate to St Luke’s Hospital in order to better utilise staffing resource.

Those who had attended the visit to the hospital expressed grave concerns that the condition of the building had been allowed to deteriorate to such an extent.  They reported that in the upper floors of the building water from the leaking roof was running down the walls; the ceilings were collapsing; flooding water was beginning to impact the physiotherapy area on lower floors and toilets had been filled.  It was agreed by all who had visited that the building was not fit for use.  It was suggested that the building had deliberately been allowed to deteriorate to justify its closure and to centralise provision.

The rationale for the proposal to close and dispose of the hospital, as stated in Document “C” was reiterated and included; better utilisation of the radiographic resource to support demand; the patient environment not meeting expectations and to prevent costs of maintaining void space for which no tenant could be found.  It was acknowledged that the building was in a poor state of repair but it was stated that void areas were maintained although not to the same standard as the clinical areas.  A refurbishment scheme costing £130,000 had been conducted in 2013 and more recently £10,000 to £12,000 had been spent on maintenance to the roof.  Efforts were being made to maintain the building but over time more money was required.

A Ward Councillor addressed the meeting and echoed the views expressed about the condition of the building.  He reported that he had visited the facility approximately 12 years previously and that the building was in a poor state of repair at that time. He explained that the building had been gifted by a Member of Parliament to the people of Shipley and questioned if the building had a covenant attached.  He was advised that the NHS Transaction Team had looked into the legalities of any sale and it was agreed that this would be checked further.

Following a detailed presentation of the report by representatives of the Bradford and Craven Clinical Commissioning Groups; NHS Property  Services; Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (BTHFT) and the Department of Public Health Members raised a number of issues and concerns to which the following responses were provided:-

·         The building was not located in a conservation area and was not classed as a listed building.

·         Radiography services had been at the hospital for at least 18 years.  The sessions offered had reduced over a number of years.

·         Economies of scale and enhanced staff utilisation would result from relocating the radiography service to St Luke’s Hospital in Bradford.

·         The unused ward at Eccleshill Hospital was as a result of fire regulations; staffing issues and increases in size of hospital beds which prevented them from being removed from the ward.

·         Efforts were being made to relocate bereavement services and memory assessment clinics in the BD18 area.  An update on proposed relocation of services would be provided to Members via the Overview & Scrutiny Lead. 

·         The health and safety issues raised at the meeting  would be discussed with the NHS Property Services team. 

·         A 12 week consultation process on the proposals would be commenced after the summer holiday period and would be discussed with NHS England and a business case would be developed.  The voluntary /community sector and Healthwatch would be consulted about engagement methods.  If Members were aware of any groups to include they could also be included.

·         Ward Councillors would be consulted on proposals via email. 

·         The conservatory at Shipley Hospital had been erected in the 1990s.

In response to a Member’s personal experience of the facilities at St Luke’s Hospital it was acknowledged that the building could be difficult to access by public transport for some residents; that the journey could require multiple bus journeys for some patients; there could be some difficulties for patients manoeuvring around the old building and transport costs would be incurred by those not eligible for assistance with travel. 

A Member requested to see proposals in the NHS estate strategy for the disposal of the hospital site and suggested that if the site were sold it should be utilised to provide safe and secure lifetime homes for Shipley residents.  It was also requested that Ward Councillors be consulted on any disposal plans.  In response it was explained that commissioners would need to declare the building surplus to requirements prior to disposal and the facility being placed on the market.  Efforts would be made to ensure that the best value for money was achieved.  

The location of the building in a potential conservation area was queried and it was confirmed that it was neither in a conservation area or had listed building status.  The location of the nearby conservation area was reported. 

Statistics contained in Document “C” about the number of patients who did not attend appointments (DNA) were discussed and a Member reported his own experience of appointments not being received on time and many other reasons patients may not attend.  

Statistics reporting the number of patients or families with members experiencing dementia were discussed.  Members questioned the capacity for services at additional sites and the impact on people suffering with dementia; depression and requiring bereavement support.

The difficulties which could be experienced by elderly patients being denied local services were expressed.  Officers were urged to reconsider the proposals to ensure patients did not have to incur the difficulties and expense of travelling across the city and to ensure they had access to much needed services more locally. Members requested that they be advised of the proposed relocation of all the services currently provided at Shipley Hospital, specifically the relocation of services provided for patients attending the memory assessment clinics on Wednesday afternoons and the older persons psychiatry outpatient clinics on a Friday morning.

In conclusion the Chair referred to the sentiments of all Members who had felt that the facility had been intentionally run down.  She urged the presenting officers to liaise with Ward Councillors and to keep the Committee informed on progress.

Resolved –

1.    That the Chief Finance Officer/Deputy Chief Executive of the Clinical Commissioning Groups be requested to provide a report on the consultation process and findings on proposed closure of Shipley hospital including details of travel planning to alternative provision.

2.    That a report be provided on the local NHS Estates Strategy and the strategy for peripheral services before the end of the current municipal year.

3.    That NHS Property Services be requested to take into account the comment of the Committee that should disposal of the Shipley Hospital site go ahead that every consideration be given to the provision of life time homes or extra care housing.

4.     That the Chief Nurse, Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust, be requested to bring further information on the capacity at St Luke’s Hospital and long term for the provision of radiology services. 

ACTION: Scrutiny Lead Officer