Minutes:
Cllr Guest provided the update on Parkwood Surgery, noting that she had asked about the closure of the Gadebridge and Boxmoor branch surgeries. Cllr Guest stated that the receptionist had advised her to look on the website for further information and that the website doesn't specify how long the surgeries will be closed for. Cllr Guest confirmed that she wrote to the Practice Business Manager, Ms Badu, at the beginning of February and that she is yet to receive a reply. Cllr Guest confirmed that she will therefore be calling the surgery as the local ward councillor and county councillor to request a meeting. Cllr Guest stated that she was disappointed to not receive a reply to her letter so far.
Cllr Allen commented that he was contacted by a resident who lives next door to the Boxmoor practice and that she had spoken to gentlemen who were stood outside of the practice where she found out that they were estate agents who were overseeing the sale of the property. Cllr Allen suggested that the notion that the closure is temporary is therefore ill-founded and is therefore an urgent matter. Cllr Allen added that he has also received information from another neighbouring resident who has stated when the development was built, a covenant was put on the building that it had to be used for health purposes. Cllr Allen suggested that further investigations are required to understand Parkwood's intentions and if the covenant will be honoured or bought out if there is one in place. Cllr Allen stated that they also need to understand why this decision was made without any consultation or discussions with the community.
Cllr Maddern raised issues regarding Gade Tower, noting that she has now visited 7-8 flats out of 40, and that each one she has visited have children with recurring respiratory problems and are having to take time off school due to being unwell as a result of the building being so damp. Cllr Maddern confirmed that she is talking to the new Chief Housing Officer about this.
Cllr Hollinghurst commented on the seriousness of the closures of Boxmoor and Gadebridge branch surgeries, noting that this will reduce NHS access. Cllr Hollinghurst suggested that the practice may own the property and recommended that the issue be raised by the Committee with the HCC Health Scrutiny Committee to investigate whether a consultation should have taken place. Cllr Beauchamp confirmed that he would raise this at the next HCC Health Scrutiny meeting.
Cllr Guest referred to the issues raised by Cllr Maddern regarding Gade Tower, noting the impact that these have on people's health.
The Chair noted that the next HCC Health Scrutiny meeting would be taking place in a week's time and that they will look to phase DBC meetings to be more in line with HCC in the New Year.
Cllr Hollinghurst suggested that scrutiny officers could also raise the issue independently of the HCC meeting schedule. Cllr Beauchamp noted the current issues with the HCC secretariat and noted that he could raise concerns at the meeting next week.
The Chair confirmed that he would liaise with Cllr Guest to contact HCC directly. Cllr Guest recommended that the Chair contact Artemis Kassi at HCC and recommended that she also speak to Cllr Beauchamp outside of the meeting to see if the concerns can be raised at the meeting as the agenda has already been circulated. Cllr Guest suggested that they could request that the closure of GP surgeries be added to the HCC Health Scrutiny work programme.
Cllr Allen thanked the Committee for prioritising the issue around branch surgery closures, noting that it had been raised at previous meetings.
Cllr Maddern commented on the suggestion to put the closure of branch surgeries onto the work programme, stating that this would mean that it will not be discussed for another three months. Cllr Beauchamp agreed, noting the difficulty of raising topics that aren't part of the agenda. The Chair suggested that the item could be taken to the Committee and that he could also write to the Committee. It was suggested that the Chair could also copy in the Parkwood Practice Manager. The Chair requested to join Cllrs Guest and Beauchamp for their discussion to ensure that the issue is brought to the attention of the HCC Health Scrutiny Committee.
Cllr Hollinghurst noted that the Health Scrutiny Committee has to prepare a short report to HCC and that the matter could be raised when the report is being accepted. Cllr Hollinghurst noted that this would raise the matter publicly and would need to be recorded. Cllr Guest confirmed that she would be placed to make a comment as a county councillor. Cllr Maddern added that a question could also be raised once the report has been given.
Actions:
- Cllr Guest to report back on progress regarding closure of Gadebridge and Boxmoor branch surgeries.
- Cllr Maddern to report back on progress regarding damp issues in Gade Tower.
- Cllr Beauchamp to raise issue regarding closure of Boxmoor and Gadebridge branch surgeries with HCC Health Scrutiny Committee.