Councillor Halden presented the report, but stated this was a joint enterprise between himself and Councillor Coxshall. He outlined the report which included the development of four Integrated Medical Centres (IMCs) which would decentralise care into local communities. He discussed how this project had started several years ago as a plan for limited primary care hubs, but had since expanded greatly. He went on to emphasize the point that Orsett Hospital would not close until the new medical centres were up and running, and noted that the new medical centres would provide excellent primary and pharmaceutical care in local communities. He commented that this report released money for the Tilbury Integrated Medical Centre, which was important as Tilbury had long since been underfunded in regards to medical care. Issues such as parking for the medical centres were discussed, and the development of Phase 2 of the project.

Councillor Coxshall added that Thurrock was one of the most under staffed areas in terms of GP’s, with 2,700 patients per GP. He felt that the new medical centres would attract GP’s as they would have better facilities and could deliver high quality services and learning. He also felt very pleased that the Tilbury IMC was happening first as the town had been underfunded for GP’s for tens of years, and that the council had committed money to seeing this project being delivered. He also emphasised the point to Members that although Orsett Hospital would be closing once the IMCs were opened, Thurrock still had a community hospital in central Grays that could be used.

Councillor Watkins commented that he felt this was an excellent report as it delivered high quality services for the residents within the borough, particularly in Tilbury. It offered a vital new service, and was forward-looking as it developed plans for Phase 2. He discussed how a report on the re-procurement of bus routes was coming to the next Cabinet meeting, and that opening public transport links to the IMCs was of vital importance, so new and improved routes were currently being looked into. Councillor Johnson echoed the comments made by other Members and re-emphasised the point that the IMCs must be open before Orsett Hospital shuts, but that he was pleased to read that the money saved by closing Orsett Hospital would be reinvested in the local NHS.

Councillor Hebb then discussed the importance of the Memorandum of Understanding which had been sent to the NHS and CCG and put in writing the fact that Orsett Hospital would remain open until the IMCs were up and running. He went on to recognise the work of Councillor Halden in securing the Memorandum of Understanding and thanked him for his efforts.

Councillor Halden added to this that the Council had worked well with the NHS to reorganise acute care and mental health care. He felt this had been proven when the Secretary of State had visited Tilbury and had not seen anything like the IMC plans anywhere across the UK. He mentioned the Memorandum of Understanding process was successful in the case of the IMCs, so was being repeated in regards to workforce planning for doctors, nurses and social care staff to shape the workforce.

RESOLVED: That Cabinet:

1. Authorised officers to tender the building contract for the Tilbury and Chadwell integrated Medical Centre

2. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director Place in consultation with the Corporate Director Adults, Housing and Health, the Director of Finance and IT, and the relevant Portfolio Holders, to award the building contract for the Tilbury Integrated Medical Centre subject to tender returned being in line with an agreed business plan based on the principles within this report

3. Delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Adults, Housing and Health to appoint a Council officer representative to the proposed People’s Panel

4. Agreed to support the development of a Masterplan for the Thurrock Hospital site in conjunction with NHS partners

5. Supported the development of a Phase 2 IMC programme which will include integrating mental health provision within the proposed IMC’s and moving further acute activity from hospital provision into community based services.

Reason for decision – as stated in the report
This decision is subject to call-in