To receive a presentation on the submitted Annual Review of Building a Brighter Future Programme update.

The Chief Strategy and Planning Officer – Simon Tapley, the Director of Capital Development and the Head of Communications and Engagement –

Elisenda McCutchion, for Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust, presented the submitted Annual Review of Building a Brighter Future Programme and responded to Members questions. 

Members raised the following points:

·         whether the delay with the proposed Nightingale Park Solar Farm was due to Torbay Council or Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust;

·         if patients would be able to access their records through the new One Devon Electronic Patient Record system (Epic);

·         whether new MYCARE app would be in addition to or to replace the NHS app;

·         if the Annexe building was being used more to hold patients appointments and if smaller building were now being used more frequently;

·         was the tower block being replaced after demolition; and

·         how many wards were there in total within Torbay Hospital. 

The following responses were provided:

·         the Director of Capital Development had received draft energy costs from Torbay Council and was now waiting for final costs to be provided to allow for approval and the agreement to be signed off;

·         the new Epic system would allow patients to be able to access their records and see the results of various tests;

·         the MYCARE app is in addition to the NHS app provided by Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust.  However, both apps would provide access to both systems;

·         Torbay Hospital is reviewing with all departments how to provide the best care to the community utilising all hospital assets; and

·         the demolition and replacement of the tower building was planned to be part of the redevelopment of the hospital including refurbishment of all wards.  Due to the recent changes to the New Hospital Programme announced by the Government, which has delayed the proposed constructions works to the hospital until 2030, some remedial works had been carried out to the tower building to address some of the issues.  The Director of Capital Development is continuing to speak with NHS England regarding the challenges being experienced at the hospital with the towers and the number of issues outstanding with the hospital wards, to ensure that the wards are continued to be maintained and welfare facilities are improved.

Resolved (unanimously):

1.    that the Director of Pride in Place be requested to provide final energy costs for the proposed Nightingale Park Solar Farm and work collaboratively with the Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust to reach agreement stage;

2.    that the Chair of the Adult Social Care and Health Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Board provide a letter of support for Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust future estate funding to be sent to the Government;

3.    that the Director of Capital Development be requested to provide a written response to confirm the various buildings being used for patient appointments; and

4.    that the Chief Strategy and Planning Officer be requested to provide a written response to confirm the number of wards within Torbay Hospital building.