Havant Borough
Council Disability Access Group
AGENDA
Thursday 27th November 2008, 2pm in Committee Room 1 (First
floor)
1. Apologies
2.
Minutes of last meeting
3.
Matters arising
4.
Issues/challenges faced in health access in
Hampshire relating to disability/long term conditions –
Hampshire PCT
5. HBCDAG
Action Plan – Group Update
–
Officer Update
6.
Presentation from Paul Menadue from Nightingale
Associates on the Plans for the Oak Park Community
Hospital
7. Date of
next meeting
If you have any special requirements
please contact Caren Ransom 02392 446007 caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
Access Group
Meeting
Minutes
27 November 2008
If you require this in large print or
alternative format please contact Caren Ransom on
023 9244 6007 or caren.ransom@havant.gov.uk
1.
Present/Apologies
Apologies:
|
Fred Dunford
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Helen Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Councillor Ponsonby
|
HBC
|
Present:
|
Councillor Terry Hart
|
HBC
|
|
Richard Sturgess
|
Gosport, Fareham Access Officer
|
|
Frank Stanley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Val Stanley
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Anthony Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Marian Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Marc Le May
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Judith Glenister
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Masie Tucker
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Val Hartridge
|
HBC Access Group
|
|
Caren Ransom
|
HBC Equalities and Access Officer
|
|
Tracey Ford
|
HBC
|
|
Alicia Samuel
|
HBC
|
|
Nick Birtley
|
Hampshire PCT
|
|
Paul Menadue
|
Nightingale Associates
|
2. Minutes of last
meeting
As highlighted the spelling error “Any” to be
changed to Andy
Item 6 (Announcements)
As per changes, minutes agreed as a correct
record.
3. Matters
Arising
Change to the original Agenda for today’s
meeting: An architect from Nightingale Associates ,responsible for
the plan and design of the community Oak Park Hospital will be
attending this meeting at 15.30 with a presentation for the group.
TF confirmed that this was as promised to the group previously, but
it does mean that they will not be seeing any further applications
(there would not be enough time for the group to view it before the
application is formally submitted and reviewed).
4. Issues/challenges
faced in health access in Hampshire
relating to disability/long
term conditions – Hampshire PCT
Nick Birtley from the Hampshire Primary Care
Trust (PCT) gave details on his newly appointed role as an Equality
& Diversity Manager.
Nick Birtley (NB) explained that the Trust had
recently developed a race, disability and a gender equality scheme
and will be producing a single equality scheme next year. The
Hampshire Primary Care Trust (PCT) is keen to give disabled people
a say in their work. NB continued that the group’s views will be
very useful.
NB invited the group to express any concerns
and/or views.
MT explained how she found the transport
service unreliable and inconsistent. MT also commented that it
appeared that the hospital transport department seemed unorganised
with a lot of instances with miscommunication. This was discussed
amongst the group who were of the same opinion.
MT and M Le M said they have had issues with
their appointments. The scheduling of next appointments are no
longer done at reception on the day but are apparently sent out in
the post. MT’s 3 monthly appointments turned into 6 months and
Marc’s 6 monthly turned into a year. M Le M also commented on the
0870 numbers (for booking appointments), high prices and
the systems lack of efficiency.
RS brought up issues with accessible bays.
Queen Alexandra Hospital (QA) has leased their bays, however
clinics have not and cars with no blue badges are often parked in
disabled car parking bays. RS observed that there seems to be no
monitoring or enforcement.
VS also commented that at QA to get a free
bay, she has had to park and then go in and get a token.
M Le M added that it he noticed that a lot of
the bays have been taken over by the builders.
VH informed the group that she had attended a
meeting where the parking situation at QA was discussed. She was
told that once the building work is completed, there will be over
100 accessible bays.
JD explained that she has appointments at the
Bosmere Medical Centre and finds getting there a problem. She
cannot travel till 09.30 as the free bus does not travel till then.
TF suggested that she request later appointments. NB and TF agreed
that education was needed in this area for the service users and
the providers. TF also noted that there is no public bus service
for that centre but proposed that JG could use the patients shared
taxi service from Havant bus station which is available to those
registered at Bosmere Medical Centre (and it is also available as a
car share scheme in Hayling Island).
(For more information on any of the Taxi share
and Car shares in Hampshire please call the Hampshire County
Council’s Community Transport Team on 01962
846785.)
NB was grateful for the comments and will look
into the problems discussed. He recommended that the group should
email, or write down any issues and give to CR who can forward them
onto him. CR invited NB to a (fortnightly) drop in session 10 am
-12pm so he can update the group on actions taken.
5. HBCDAG Action
Plan
–
Group Update
–
Officer Update
There is a link on the Havant Borough Council
Access Group Web page for the monthly updated Action Plan,
http://www.havant.gov.uk/havant-3557.
VH updated the group on the Christmas lunch
she has been organising. The meal has now been reduced to £6.95. VH
also informed the group that a refund was received for the
cancelled Portsmouth Show, (but not from the organisers). It was
also noted that the HBCDA Group had a stand Weacock Carnival Oct
08. This will be reflected in the next action plan update. M Le M
produced a HBCDAG promotional board (that was praised) for the
carnival and suggested that it could be used for future events.
VH informed the group that Stuart Pinkney
(Emergency Safety Officer at HBC) had expressed an interest in
getting the group involved in an audit of Cowplain Activity Centre.
He also informed VH that he is currently putting together a risk
assessment pack for groups that organise and take part in events.
This pack will include information and instructions that must be
carried out. Examples include: informing emergency services of the
event, or ensuring rubbish is disposed of correctly etc.
VH also reported that licences for music in
open spaces is being paid for by the council (e.g. if you hired a
field and had a sound system for an event you will no longer need
your own licence for the music). CR queried if the Council was
therefore liable. RS clarified that there would be a requirement
that the event organisers have public liability insurance for the
licence to be valid.
The group queried if things could move forward
with access auditing shops and businesses (to increase funds).
CR explained that she does not have the
capacity to fulfil the officer side of the shopability scheme.
(Members of the group visiting businesses and giving informal
advice for a fee). CR expressed concerns with charging for advice
and liability. Something could go wrong, so she will be consulting
the Council’s solicitor regarding it. RS stated that he had been
advised that if you give advice as a “user access auditor” rather
than an official auditor, the group could charge and get reimbursed
for legitimate travel claims. RS also mentioned other restrictions
that may arise – CR to seek advice from legal.
The proposal to close the cash desk was
discussed amongst the group. Strong opinions against the closure
were expressed, with Councillor Hart in agreement.
CR updated the group on various actions in the
action plan (version 1.8). CR informed the group that the new car
stickers were on track for completion (December 2008). M Le M and
CR have been working on this and have already established the
HBCDAG logo. Discussions had taken place as to what details to
include, (a telephone number, names and roles, a website etc.). It
has been decided that a website should be put on it and M Le M is
currently creating a specific website that will be linked to Havant
Borough Council’s.
CR commented that no work had been done to
develop an accessible guide of the Borough (visitibility) – to be
completed for March 2010. CR suggested that work should commence in
January 2009 and that the group could use HBC’s tourist guide, (by
auditing the hotels etc. that are in it).
It was confirmed that the group will still be
aiming to play a kurling game 3 – 4 times a year. VH explained that
November’s game has not taken place due to time constraints (close
to Christmas).
Access audits were discussed. CR confirmed
that an audit of Cowplain activity Centre has been organised for
March 2009. Marc suggested the Waterlooville Leisure Centre
(Horizon Trust) for the final audit for the financial year.
CR to investigate whether the audit on
Staunton School was this or last financial year, (it is not
included in the current action plan). If it was this financial
year, only one more audit would need to be completed, (excluding
the Cowplain Activity Centre audit organised).
CR asked the Chair and group for an update on
the partnership work with HCODP. VH explained that their contact
had left the organisation and have had no communication since they
were told by Amanda that she was leaving. It was agreed that the
group will try and contact HCODP after the Christmas season.
CR discussed the issue of HBC Radar Key
charges and distribution at HBC. At the moment the charge is £4.20
this will be brought down and be made cost neutral for the next 3
years. CR emailed Radar, querying how they felt about
councils selling Radar keys without asking for proof of purchase,
to this date they have yet to respond. CR carried out some
benchmarking research (looked into how and if other Councils
requested proof of disability), it was found that no other councils
that were investigated seemed to be doing so.
CR went on to report that she had also had
discussions with customer services here at HBC. They were not
keen to have a policy in place that asked for proof; it was found
that a large % of keys sold are sent out by phone ordering. It is
therefore felt that we would be creating barriers if proof was
asked for. Councillor Hart agreed and mentioned that you may not be
registered as disabled but could still have lost some ability or
could be infirmed (elderly). M Le M also added that some key
holders may be carers. M Le M suggested that maybe customer
services could ask for a reason. CR agreed that this could be a
good approach but queried on how long the list could be and if
customer services would refuse a reason.
Cllr Hart commented on the action point the
Safeguarding Adults User Forum by confirming that this is now a
part of the adult services team.
CR confirmed that a draft letter had been
produced protesting against the Shared Spaces Concept without
consultations with the Access Group officers and members.
CR also mentioned that the HBC communications
team will be updating ‘Serving You’ and will be attending the
HBCDAG drop in session on the 8th December to get the groups views
and comments.
CR clarified that the Disability awareness
section in the action plan is a behind the scenes look, mainly at
staff training. The Visual Impairment training taking place this
month will be added to the section.
6. Presentation from
Paul Menadue from Nightingale
Associates on the Plans for the Oak Park
Community
Hospital
PM introduced himself to the group and
proceeded with a slideshow presentation he had prepared.
PM discussed various issues that had to be
considered including the Trees that have TPO’S (Tree Preservation
Orders). PM explained that these trees and others will provide
barriers from sound and for privacy and also to enhance the area
aesthetically.
Noise from the busy roads had to be taken into
account as to the layout of the building. Consequently the wards
(with single ensuite rooms) are to the south of the site.
He went on to explain that the entrance’s
position and visibility was carefully thought out, considering how
the hospital will be accessed, (by foot, car, bus etc.)
PM showed slides of the design for the main
entrance. The glass sliding door was an original idea; however it
was considered that it is not strongly identifiable as an entrance.
The solution was to include a canopy and also a walled area for
mobility scooters.
The entrance leads to lobby which includes a
central waiting area. PM informed the group that this was done to
reduce the distances users had to walk and decrease the chance of
users being isolated in small, low ceiling waiting rooms.
He went on to explain the changes that were
implemented because of the feedback given by the group (last time
he met with them). Initially the car park was going to be a shared
surface (with pavements and roads). The group criticised this, as
it would be difficult for partially sighted and blind people to
navigate safely. This idea has since been moved away from.
Originally the disabled parking had a road
between it and the path/entrance. Since comments from the group it
has changed and been moved to pavement area which has direct access
to entrance and all is the same level.
PM commented that the drop off point has
changed as well. It will be level access and only 10 meters away
from the entrance.
Paul encouraged comments and questions from
the group. The group asked the following:
● Will
there be communal rest areas near the wards so that patients
are
not isolated?
PM - Yes: there
will be day spaces and separate television lounges.
● Will
there be signs from the car park area to the reception?
PM – There
will be limited signs as the entrance should be clear
● Will
there be contrasting colours and materials used for horizontal
and
vertical surfaces?
(e.g. the skirting boards)
PM – Different
materials such as different tiles will be used
● Will
there be a (loud) tannoy?
PM – There is no
intention at this stage as the plan is for someone to call
the patients name.
If it is required Nightingale Associates will work with
the Hampshire Primary Care Trust to develop a system, (such
as an LED
sign showing
peoples names).
● Similar
to St Mary’s Hospital, will there be colour codes for each ward
(that you can
follow using a coloured path on the floor)?
PM – They have
been trying to get away from that idea for way finding.
The community
hospital is not at the same scale as St Mary’s and also
when the
floor tiles get worn and replaced the colours often don’t match
etc. Hoping
for clear signs and graphics at the hospital
● Will the
mobility scooter area have wheelchair space and access?
PM –
Management at PCT will be dealing with this but imagines that
the
user of the
scooter would have to go into reception first to ask.
CR suggested
an intercom and PM agreed that this could be a
possibility.
● Is there
scope for future expansion? Possibly another floor?
PM – Another
floor would not be possible as it would be expensive, as
the foundations
would have to be laid before hand to allow for another
level. The plan
for the hospital deals with any future capacity, (that the
Hampshire PCT can
tell) for the next 15 years.
● Is that
what the extra land to the south of the development is for
(future
capacity)?
PM – No plans have
been made for this, the PCT want to remain flexible.
● Will
there be hand rails?
PM - Yes
● How wide
will the pavements be?
PM – They
will be over 2 metres (wide enough for wheelchairs)
● Will the
drop off point be wide enough for two cars to pass?
PM – Yes, it
will be wide enough for community buses, service vehicles
etc to go around
other vehicles.
● Will the
new regulations for the width of steps affect the plans for
the
hospital?
PM – No they will
not. However the current regulation requires the steps
to be 250
millimetres and they have designed the hospital’s as 300.
● How many
beds will the wards be?
PM – In total 49
beds
● Will
there be a children’s ward?
PM – No
● Will
there be operations?
PM – No, no
general anaesthetics will be used
● When is
the planned opening?
PM –
December 2010
Councillor Hart used this opportunity to thank
PM for including the group (again) in the plans for the Oak Park
Hospital.
7. Dates of Next
Access Group Meetings
12 February 2009 – 2pm
21 May 2009 – 2pm