The Chair introduced a report providing an update regarding the outcomes of the joint scrutiny review on the proposed changes to provision of services by Clatterbridge Cancer Centre NHS Foundation Trust and reiterated that the vast majority of Wirral cases over 90% of patients would remain to be treated at Clatterbridge, the Review Panel had met with a wide number of stakeholders and had concluded that the proposals would provide an enhanced service for patients.

Concerns around transportation and travel access to services for patients had been raised but had not yet been addressed. Relocation of staff was also cited as an outstanding issue.

A Member, also a Member of the Panel indicated that the Panel had worked collectively towards ensuring that all residents were catered for. Issues were raised in relation to travel and plans were in place; these would be finalised once the Royal Liverpool University Hospital re-build was complete.

The Chair indicated that Members of the Panel had raised initial concerns regarding the Contractors, but they had come to meet with the Members explaining in detail their roles within the project, the Committee were then reassured.

The report highlighted the conclusions of the joint Committee, one of the motions agreed were to support the establishment of a discretionary scrutiny committee to oversee the delivery of the new build project in Liverpool and refurbishment of the Wirral site.

The Chair proposed that the Members from the Joint Scrutiny Committee remain Members for the discretionary committee.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the decision of the Joint Committee to support the proposed future model of cancer services for Cheshire and Merseyside, including the new site adjacent to the Royal Liverpool Teaching Hospital be noted;

(2)  the Committee supports, in principle, Wirral Borough Council participating in a discretionary Joint Committee to maintain a scrutiny and oversight role during the lifetime of the project; and

(3)  the Committee nominates the Chair and the Spokesperson of the largest Opposition Group to be Wirral’s two nominations on the Discretionary Joint Committee.