The Improving Healthcare Together programme is today publishing the fist draft of the independent interim IIA report, produced by Mott MacDonald. This report details the interim impact assessment on health, travel, equalities and sustainability of the proposed changes to services at Epsom and St Helier Hospitals NHS Trust.
Professor Andrew JT George MBE, Independent Chair for the Integrated Impact Assessment Steering Group:
“I am pleased to announce the Improving Health Together programme has today published its draft interim Integrated Impact Assessment report. The report has been written by Mott MacDonald, experts in the field of impact assessments.
“It is an enormous privilege to be Chair of the Integrated Impact Assessment Steering Group and work with a group of individuals who brought their energy, commitment and local knowledge to the process of creating this report. The members of the Steering Group were chosen because of their knowledge of, and engagement in, the local communities who use local health services and for their expertise in the factors that impact on healthcare provision for the local geographies of Merton, Sutton and Surrey Downs. In addition, the Travel and Access Working Group provided valuable scrutiny and information of the transportation implications of the options being considered.
“This has ensured that Mott MacDonald had access to the necessary data and viewpoints that have allowed them to write the interim report. The Steering Group also critically reviewed the process by which the report was produced, the way in which local community engagement was undertaken and the findings of the report.
“Each member brought their own perspective to this process and the interim report has been shaped by the resulting robust and respectful debate. This debate will continue to take place until the Integrated Impact process is complete, after the end of any public consultation when a final report will be produced.
“I am grateful to all members for their commitment to this work to date and thank them for their time. I particularly want to thank everyone who participated in the focus groups and shared their thoughts on how the proposed options may impact upon them, their families and their communities. Their insights have been central to shaping the report.
“As Chair, I have been keen to ensure an openness and transparency to the production of this interim report. The Steering Group has agreed that the agreed process has been followed. I fully support the programme’s decision to publish this interim report which will provide a strong foundation for any future consultation.”