Agenda item

Presentation by the Deputy Place Director, Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board.

 

Lisa Pope, Deputy Place Director, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire ICB, gave an update on the development of the Catterick Integrated Care Centre (CICC), a project first conceived 11 years ago.

 

It represented a world‑first fully integrated partnership between the NHS and the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Unlike other co‑located facilities, the CICC would integrate NHS and MOD services operationally and physically. Some services were already integrated and a five‑year plan would complete full integration once the centre opened.

 

The project was in response to:

 

·       Significant population growth in the Catterick area.

·       The Army 2020 rebasing programme, which increased military personnel.

·       Challenges in both NHS and MOD estates, creating an opportunity to jointly redesign services.

 

A core aim was parity of access between military personnel, their families and NHS patients. Historically, military personnel, their families had faced disadvantages due to frequent moves and limited visibility in deprivation formulas. The integrated model aimed to improve fairness, reduce waiting list disruption and address rural access issues.

 

The CICC would bring together:

 

·       Primary care practice (Harewood and DPH)

·       Secondary care

·       Community health services

·       Mental health services

·       Local authority services

·       Out‑of‑hospital secondary care services.

 

Extensive community engagement continued through roadshows, newsletters, targeted outreach, a website and FAQ log.

 

The build was close to completion. A “Government soft opening” was expected in June, with full occupation by September, subject to weather and final testing.

 

The ICB remained committed to the future of the Friary Hospital, including primary care provision and ward‑based services. Any changes would require public engagement and consultation.

 

Following the update, Councillors had the following questions.

 

1.     When would the current day facilities at the Friary move to the CICC?

 

Transitions were planned for June – August depending on build completion.

 

2.     What was the timescale for determining the future of the Friary and its services?

 

There was no firm timeline and it was dependent on:

 

·        Any changes to primary care over the next few months.

·        Discussions with the University Hospitals Trust regarding the ward and care model.

·        Ongoing restructuring within the ICB.

 

More clarity was expected once these factors were concluded.

 

3.     Members advised that consultation events had occurred during work hours and asked if this could be addressed?

 

Ms Pope acknowledged this and agreed to look at engagement options to improve access for working residents.

 

4.     Various conflicting rumours existed about dental provision at the CICC. What is the correct position?

 

Community Dental services (mainly for people with learning disabilities) will continue at the CICC.

 

The ICB has approved a test‑case pilot with MOD dental services whereby military dentists would provide NHS dental care for serving personnel’s families only. The pilot aimed to assess whether MOD dental capacity could support NHS needs.

 

Military dental capacity must always ensure forces were battle ready and there was concern that NHS demand might compromise this. The pilot will be cautious and incremental, to potentially expand military dental capacity to support wider NHS need.

 

5.     Will families have two dentists (NHS and MOD) during the test?

 

The intention was that families register with the military dentist only during the trial. Colleagues were working through the detailed design, but reassurances were given that the aim was to avoid destabilising military or NHS dental services.

 

6.     Could a clear commitment be given?

 

As work was ongoing firm guarantees could not be given but the key message was that the ICB was actively trying to create more NHS dental capacity, using MOD resources where possible.