NHS

Physio Therapy  - welcome the changes this is a good service and any early intervention could prevent surgery in the future, people can book directly onto this service and NHS are investing in this further.

Clinical Commissioning Group – once formed will hold all their meetings in public, all agendas and minutes will be made public and available on the internet. Patient forums have taken part in all the consultation and can only succeed in the future if they have resident involvement.

Investment – 1 million pound has been invested for Mental Health Services especially around dementia.

NHS Resources/Changes – Improvements, variety of choice, extra services all positive for the future but where are the resources coming from and if any cuts to deliver these changes.

A: Wirral has benefitted from the fair share formula for health funding to reflect socio-economic deprivation and elderly population. Wirral benefited from this and the NHS and PCT manage their resources effectively. GP’s have already been engaging and resources have been utilized effectively.  GP’s are taking responsibility taking a positive approach when dealing with services in an effective manner to keep services improving for the future.

Mental Health – mental health issues are patchy some GP’s have little training and/or experience in this area, they are not competent and this is not good practice.  Make sure patients do get patient choice, and if you get a choice, choose the NHS

A: The quality of GP care in Wirral is very high, including in Mental Health. We have not had any formal complaints in this matter. If you feel GP’s are incompetent, it need to be flagged up and to go through the complaints procedure for the NHS, and dealt with within the appropriate manor all complaints are dealt with accordingly to procedures.

Comments: In the past, patients were confident that GP’s would give advice solely on medical grounds & uninfluenced by commercial consideration.

GP's are receiving money to refer patients to private services.

A: Every service commissioned by NHS Wirral and commissioning groups are free within the NHS at the point of entry, Doctors are not getting any additional payments for referrals.

Labour brought in the NHS and the key principal is that the NHS stay free for the people.

Landlords

What is the council doing about private landlords encouraging them to have safe homes for their tenants.?

A: There is a Landlord Accreditation Scheme

BMX Track:

Nathan attended this meeting to highlight the concerns young people have over the BMX track at the Arno, he had been informed it was being improved and wanted to know what was being done.  The BMX track is not safe and one day someone might get hurt.  There needs to be improvements and equipment to suit all ages using it.

A: Police have had a meeting with Sainsbury’s and there may be some funding available to improve the BMX track.  Police are also in discussions with Aldi and Home & Bargain.

Rampworx are also is still on the proposal for a venue for the Birkenhead area but this is still in the development stages.

Pat Williams informed the forum that a lot of hard work has gone into discussing future plans for the BMX Track and there have been on-going meetings.  Nathan and his friends are welcome to attend Oxton Fields future meetings.

Comments made:

• Young people are not causing any problems, they are just gathering in the area.
• Improvements needed for this track
• BMX, Skating, Roller blading is an up and coming sport and we need better facilities, this is what the young people want
• Parents are involved in this

Technical Services Roads & Pavement:

Local resident raised the on-going issues/problems with regards to the following roads: Over the years the surfaces have worn away, combinations of new drop kerbs, overflow pipes exposed & drains in the rear entries blocked and these are getting worse.

• Elm Rd North, Cambridge Rd & part of Elm Rd

Also the following needs addressing:

• Parking bay markings & yellow lines have faded & need re-painting in Cecil Road Curzon Rd, Elm Rd & Cambridge Rd - Added to re-painting programme for Colas.

• Potholes on the junction of Elm Road & Waterpark Road

These issues have been raised numerous times since April 2012. Councillor Tony Norbury had completed a walk round of the area and highlighted those concerns raised.

ISSUES/ACTIONS:

• Cycling on pavements – to have cycling accident statistics available for the next meeting
• Parking on cycling routes – can this be looked at
• Parking on pavements – especially around Borough Road Shops, this also includes shop owners parking on pavements
• BMX Track – to be moved forward and to involve local shops, young people and local groups to improve this area for all young people to enjoy
• Roads & Pavement  - issues/concerns to be addressed