Minutes:
The Leader moved, and the Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing seconded, a motion as follows:
This Council notes with extreme concern recent press articles on the financial state of Princess Alexandra Hospital, comments from the hospital’s Chairman and Chief Executive that the hospital is not sustainable in the medium term and the increasing likelihood of cuts to hospital services for the communities it serves. It also notes that the West Essex health system has been excluded from the NHS Essex Success Regime despite the severe financial challenges it faces. Given the growing need for acute and other health services for the communities of Harlow and the surrounding areas as they continue to grow, this Council resolves to urge the Government to:
1. Urgently address the significant funding and systemic issues at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and in the West Essex health system to ensure adequate and accessible health service provision to the residents of Harlow and the surrounding areas for the short and medium terms.
2. Develop, in consultation with the Councils of West Essex and East Hertfordshire, a longer term plan to secure financially sustainable, appropriate and sufficient access to health services for the communities served by the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the West Essex CCG.
The Leader referred to the systemic problems at the hospital and recent meetings she had attended with representatives of Uttlesford, Epping Forest and Harlow Councils. They had all recognised the growing difficulties and had written to the Secretary of State for Health seeking greater support and funding. The Executive Member for Health and Wellbeing also referred to the need for greater strategic support from the government.
Councillor J Wyllie suggested an amendment at the end of the first paragraph by inserting “East Herts” before “Harlow”. This was accepted by the Leader.
After being put to the meeting and a vote taken, the amended motion was declared CARRIED.
RESOLVED – that the following motion be approved:
This Council notes with extreme concern recent press articles on the financial state of Princess Alexandra Hospital, comments from the hospital’s Chairman and Chief Executive that the hospital is not sustainable in the medium term and the increasing likelihood of cuts to hospital services for the communities it serves. It also notes that the West Essex health system has been excluded from the NHS Essex Success Regime despite the severe financial challenges it faces. Given the growing need for acute and other health services for the communities of East Herts, Harlow and the surrounding areas as they continue to grow, this Council resolves to urge the Government to:
1. Urgently address the significant funding and systemic issues at the Princess Alexandra Hospital and in the West Essex health system to ensure adequate and accessible health service provision to the residents of Harlow and the surrounding areas for the short and medium terms.
2. Develop, in consultation with the Councils of West Essex and East Hertfordshire, a longer term plan to secure financially sustainable, appropriate and sufficient access to health services for the communities served by the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the West Essex CCG.