To receive an update on the Sunningdale Health Hub

Alex Tilley, Director of Operations, RBWM, at NHS Frimley, introduced herself and stated that as part of her role, she was responsible for the population of RBWM in relation to a wide section of health services.

Planning permission had been granted in March 2022 and since then, the NHS had been working with the landowners and the developers. This work would result in a business case being submitted to NHS England by mid-2023, which was a critical milestone. Work was ongoing to gather insights and information from residents through either the practices or services that those individuals were using. Frimley Health Foundation Trust’s maternity services and the community provider in Berkshire Healthcare Trust were supportive of this service and would come into this service to provide a wide range of clinical and community-based services that had been set out in the original planning application.

More recently, the relationship with the current landowners had been progressing and they had been considering a full offer on a commercial case which was being taken to their board in December 2022. Alex Tilley stated that they hoped to have an outcome of that case within the next six to eight weeks.

The project had faced a delay in relation to national capital investment as a result of the Autumn budget statement in relation to NHS capital, but Alex Tilley stated that she was confident that NHS Frimley were continuing with the programme. NHS Frimley were committed to keeping the website regularly updated.

Councillor Del Campo asked about provisions for parking and whether there would be sufficient parking spaces at the Hub.

Alex Tilley stated that parking was a big issue in relation to the planning application and a lot of work had been undertaken to ensure that the ratio of parking spaces was adequate which Alex Tilley hoped would be used on other developments. In total, there would be 125 spaces as well as bicycle parking.

Councillor Del Campo asked if any GP surgeries would be closing down and if people would be moved to this site. Councillor Del Campo asked what the maximum distance patients would have to travel to the Hub.

Alex Tilley stated that this development affected two particular practices, with the site of the new Hub being directly between these two practices and less than two miles away from the current sites, which was the standard for levels of consultation and reasonableness around access for residents. Maternity and community services would be moved into this hub from locations in Bracknell and Frimley and would serve the needs of the local population.

The Chairman asked how often surgeries were updated, as she currently sat on a patient meeting and was frequently asked questions on the progress of the Hub.

Alex Tilley stated that it took time to get through the complexity of such a scheme so understood the frustration. The website was updated with anything that could be shared, and feedback was welcome on the website.

The Chairman asked if updates were being published in the local media or other avenues for people to keep updated.

Alex Tilley confirmed that updates were available through practice websites which linked to the main Frimley Health and Care website which contained all the information on the Hub.

Councillor Carole Da Costa stated that she had worked in maternity services in the area and the new Hub would be a really positive change for both the surgeries involved and the residents in the area.

Councillor Sharpe asked why the process was taking so long and the steps required in the process.

Alex Tilley explained that the point at which planning permission was granted was the point at which an outline business case was submitted to NHS England via the integrated care system. The full business case was submitted on completion of all commercial arrangements, including planning permission. There was also a commercial and procurement situation that needed to take place, and national capital investment in the NHS was included in the Autumn statement. Alex Tilley understood Councillor Sharpe’s frustration, but the development was being worked on within frameworks that NHS Frimley were not fully in control over.

The Chairman asked if there was any way that RBWM could support the funding of this project.

Alex Tilley stated that the council had supported the project at every juncture so far and welcomed the Chairman’s support.