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V27-555 : CONSULTATION ON LOWESTOFT COMMUNITY SERVICES

The report of the Director of Housing and Environmental Services dealt with the consultation process on the delivery of Community Services in Lowestoft, which was being undertaken by the Suffolk Health Authority.

The Vice Chairman welcomed Mr. Michael Miles, a consultant engaged by Suffolk Health, to the Committee, who attended the meeting in order to note members' comments and, wherever possible, to answer questions. He was briefed in particular to record members views on three issues: the current view of services; the potential future for services; and the potential impact on services of the options for the future.

Members from outside Lowestoft questioned why the consultation process did not extend into the rest of Waveney. Mr. Miles replied that the Chief Executive of the South Waveney Primary Care Group had expressed his Group's wishes not to participate in the process.

It was proposed and later carried that the Council's recommendation, for Lowestoft, be Option for the Future (b) - "Transfer the management of Community Services to the James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust".

Councillors added that their constituents had extreme fears at the loss of the local community service. Provision of local facilities, Lowestoft Hospital included, was viewed as extremely important. Waveney never seemed to be given satisfactory answer previously and as a result had little faith in any consultation process with Suffolk Health Authority. Mr. Miles agreed that before his appointment he shared Councillor's views and understood why Suffolk Health Authority had a bad reputation on consultation. Since his appointment he had been led to believe that they now would listen.

Councillors also stated that the simple issue was that the people of Lowestoft wanted James Paget to provide community care. Mr. Miles accepted this to be the case, but without additional cost. Of the Community Health Council and 21 other bodies he had met with no- one had suggested anything other than they should go to James Paget.

The Chief Executive felt that a formal letter of reply should be sent to Suffolk Health Authority, and with the Chairman declaring an interest, this should be delegated for the Director of Housing and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Vice Chairman.

RESOLVED

1. That a letter be sent to Suffolk Health Authority with the views of the members expressed at the meeting forming the basis of this Council's response to their consultation process on the delivery of Community Services in Lowestoft, including that Option (b) for the Future, the transfer the management of Community Services to the James Paget Healthcare NHS Trust, be noted as this Council's preference.

2. That the Director of Housing and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Vice Chairman, set out the response on a formal basis.

(The Chairman declared an interest in this item and left the room during the debate and the Vice Chairman took the Chair).


Volume 27 Minute 555

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