• NHS Wirral
• Wirral University Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Merseyside Police/Community Safety
• Fire Service
• Older Peoples Parliament

NHS Wirral – Glen Coleman

• full update for the NHS is in the area co-ordinators page 12

NHS Wirral has received approval from the Department of Health for our provider arm to become a community trust.  The new Trust will be from April 2011.  Approximately 1400 staff will transfer to the new organisation.  Under the Coalition Government’s proposals, groups of GPs (consortia) will come together to commission most health services for their populations, taking over this responsibility from Primary Care Trusts (i.e. NHS Wirral).  Wirral will have 3 GP Consortia, representing over 57 practices, will be “pathfinder consortia”, working under the auspices of the PCT until they take over the reigns fully in 2013.  NHS Wirral and Wirral Council are working closely together on the transition to the new arrangements.

Q:  West Kirby Concourse, does not seem “fit for purpose” for a medical building?

A:  Looking for a suitable site, funding is not the issue, as there is money set aside for the funding of this project.

Q:  A plot of land had been identified opposite the Concourse, where are we up to with this?

A:  The land belongs to Wirral Partnership Homes and not the Council, this piece of land may not be big enough as space is needed to be considered for car parking.

Q:  Sandstone Medical centre has and offers an excellent service why can’t we have one similar to this?

A:  It is an excellent service, however it is not efficient we want to aim for one reception service, one administration service, under one roof.  Streamlining services & improving communication.

Wirral University Teaching Hospital Trust – Sue Green

• full update for the Trust is in the area co-ordinators pages 23 - 26

Sue Green highlighted some key changes to the NHS Foundation Trust, improving the way it delivers services, working with key partners.  From a patients point of view they should not see major changes to services.

The Trust has a board of Directors which is made up of directors and non-directives membership.  With effect from January this year the Trust welcomes Dr Jean Quinn to the board.  In addition the Trust has an Assembly of Governors with a membership of 37 governors representing our public, stakeholders and staff. The next meeting is scheduled for the 16^th March 2011 to be held at the Arrowe Park Site and will be looking at plans for "Treating you Well into the Future", the meeting is an open meeting for all to attend.

Sue Green wanted to thank residents for their commitment and support of the Christmas period due to there being a restriction on visitors to hospitals.  The disruption was kept to a minimum.

Q: Councillor Eddie Boult raised concerns over the administration services at the hospitals especially around correspondence, he provided examples of his experience in a number of hospitals and particularly in relation to information.

A:  The Trust has made a major investment into a new clinical information system and has already started to see improvement. Further improvements will be made over the next 12 months, including improvements in administration services (patient letters, quality and accuracy of correspondence).

Merseyside Police – Mike Blease

• Newsletter was available at the area forum

Mike Blease introduced himself and one of his targets is to improve relationships within the community.  Mike informed the forum that he is looking to re-vamp the “Have You say” events which are due to take place on:

• 15^th February 2011 at 2.00pm – West Kirby Concourse
• 16^th February 2011 at 2.00pm – Hoylake Police Station

Everyone welcome to attend these meetings.  Mike also gave some updated information:

• Burglaries are low in this area
• UPVC doors are easy targets, advised residents to ensure they lock the door from the inside and not to have key in the door but somewhere accessible for home owners to get out of the house safely

Q:  Resident wanted to inform the forum that Community Police Officers on the streets, it is very re-assuring, and had a huge impact on the community of the visible presence and makes people feel safe?

A:  Mike Blease & Chair thank residents for the positive feedback

Q:  Is there going to be any cuts to PCSO?

A:  PCSO’s those that were on a temporary contract have been made permanent after 4 years, Government have set money aside for the funding of these officers and we will not be losing any of our neighbourhood policing, cuts like all leading bodies have to be met and the police will be looking at back office services, the administration services are being reviewed.  Police are not recruiting and front line services are staying as they are.

• PCSO’s – reduce their work they spend on administration and have them on the beat more, the use of blackberry’s is a way forward and less paperwork.

Community Safety – Mike Collins

• full update for community safety is in the area co-ordinators pages 9 - 12

Community Safety Team work closely with other partners such as: Police & Fire, all officers are equipped to deal with small fires, they are the leading body for addressing dog fouling and have a team appointed to this, officers were recruited from the “Future Jobs Fund” and are funded until September 2011.

Over 60,000 bags issued to dog owners, huge campaign to launch this, now the future programme of works is looking at enforcement in the area.

If you see these officers in your area and have issues you can approach them and will be happy to help or advise.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service – Myles Platt

• full update for fire service is in the area co-ordinators pages 13 - 14

Myles Platt informed the area forum of the fire service spending review and this is detailed on page 13 of report.  Wirral will not see major changes in deduction over the next 3 years, after this time it may be different.  One of the key roles for the fire service is joining up and working with other partner organisations to address the prevention agenda and delivering the emergency response.

Q:  Smoke Alarm randomly going off, why does this happen?

A:  maybe faulty, contact fire service and will be more happy to come out and replace it.

An incident had taken place in the West Kirby area where a gentleman lost his life due to a fire, his wife was saved.  Myles emphasised the importance of having smoke alarms and more importantly have a fire escape route of your own for yourself and family members.

Forum members/residents wanted to thank the fire service for their hard-work and quick response to this incident.  Since this incident fire officers went into the area visited more than 120 homes providing safety advice to vulnerable and isolated residents anyone wanting advice or support to see Myles at end of meeting.

Older People’s Parliament – Sandra Wall

• full update for the OPP is in the area co-ordinators pages 15 - 19

Sandra gave an update from her report that is detailed in the papers, Sandra wanted to promote an event that was taking place:

Floral Pavilion Conference Centre for two full days 26^th & 27^th May 2011 to showcase what Wirral has to offer its older population. There will be stalls displaying services available from health, the local authority, and a range of voluntary and independent groups. There will be a many leisure activities and special interest clubs, advertising their programmes. There will be entertainment by musicians and others throughout both days. There will be a series of workshops in one of the lecture rooms on a variety of topics. We are asking all participating organisations to contribute as much as they can to the funding of the event, the key costs of which are being met by Wirral University Teaching Hospital Foundation Trust.