The committee will receive an update from Northumbria Healthcare on the progress of Berwick Hospital.
Minutes:
Members welcomed C. Charlton, Head of Communications, M. Dickson, Executive Director of Nursing and D. Kent, Managing Director of Northumbria Facilities Management to the meeting to update on the progress of Berwick Hospital. (A copy of the presentation slides has been filed with the signed minutes).
Northumbria Healthcare’s presentation covered the following:
Excellent progress on site and in other areas:
A lot of progress had been made within the last twelve months with most of the archaeology and demolition work being completed.
Archaeology had discovered some fascinating finds. The site dated back to medieval times with findings including a latrine, defensive wall and what resembled a fishing village.
The Trust had also worked closely with the Council’s archaeologist team.
It was fantastic that the hospital was being built on a site of such historical importance and would be the heart of the local community in relation to providing modern healthcare.
The Trust was waiting to find out if any further archaeology was needed at the site.
The foundations had been laid and hundreds of piles and pile caps installed.
The frame for the building was currently going up.
Design work for the inside of the hospital, wards and different areas was well underway and progressing well.
This was now and next steps:
Having to manage work on site carefully as it was restricted for space, but it was going well.
The frame was to be completely installed by February next year.
Work to pour concrete to form floors and base of room planned to begin late January.
Things were going well in the factory too:
Merit was the construction partner.
Merit was a local company with factories in Cramlington.
Advantages of using off-site construction include high quality and not affected by adverse weather.
This building approach was now being used more widely and seen as leading/innovative.
Looking at opening in Summer 2025.
Patients and staff were settling well on our new temporary ward:
Due to how close the work needed to be done next to the ward, patients had been moved to a temporary ward, which was on site.
It was very positive that they had been able to keep inpatients in Berwick and on the hospital site.
The temporary ward was very well fitted out and comfortable.
Excellent feedback had been received from patients and staff about the temporary ward. There had been over 20 patients so far.
The Team would help support with transport for these patients and their loved ones.
Outpatients, maternity, oncology and MIU were still operating as normal.
Continually looking at services:
Very important to note that there would be no reduction in any services, quite the opposite.
Would be bringing endoscopy back which was a real benefit to the local community.
Looking into what other appropriate/community services could be brought to Berwick as we know how important this was to the local area.
Keeping local communities updated and involved:
On-going programme of communications.
Public drop-in sessions which were always well attended.
Regular resident and stakeholder updates/briefings.
Mechanisms in place for residents to speak to staff if they had any concerns/issues.
Increased links with communities, for example the work being carried out with schools through the arts programme.
The arts programme was working well and working with local artists.
In response to questions from Members of the Committee, the following information was provided:-?
There continued to be an on-going programme of communications with residents.
There had been traffic and parking difficulties, but work was ongoing to mitigate these.
IT had significantly changed in the last few years making more services available to patients.
Berwick and surrounding areas had some fantastic staff and services available and there was now a better link with NSECH at Cramlington.
No patients should be travelling if services were available locally.
The temporary ward was working well but patients were better being in their own homes if possible.
The beds within the temporary ward were not just for end of life care patients. They were for anyone needing to stay in hospital a little longer such as those needing rehabilitation.
The hospital was not just for Berwick residents but also the whole local area.
The Communication Team would promote the hospital and services available and ensure Berwick was an option for patients within the north of the county instead of having to travel to Ashington or Cramlington.
Confirmation that it was envisaged that Berwick Hospital would be fully operational by the Summer of 2025.
Members thanked Northumbria Healthcare for their positive update on progress being made at Berwick Hospital.
RESOLVED that the information be noted and a further update be provided in due course.