Yahoo News Yobs force vital Birmingham health facility to move amid 'risks to patient and staff safety'
A second emergency move is being considered for a Birmingham health facility amid fears over violence and yob behaviour. Warren Farm Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), previously in Kingstanding, was initially moved following the discovery of collapse-prone RAAC.
Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) is the lightweight concrete used in the construction of many buildings between the 1950s and 1990s. It is susceptible to deterioration over time, leading to possible structural issues compromising the safety and longevity of buildings.
The service was moved to Erdington Health and Wellbeing Centre (EHWBC) as an “emergency and temporary” measure and renamed North Birmingham UTC. But a report said there were “growing concerns” about safety and the environment surrounding the centre.
“While the temporary emergency relocation process has been successfully implemented, there are emerging concerns regarding an increase in anti-social behaviour, violence and other serious criminal activity in the vicinity of the UTC,” it said. “Consequently, due to the extent and seriousness of the incidents in the vicinity of EHWBC and their associated risks to patient and staff safety, remaining on site brings potential risk of having to close the site without notice if future incidents present imminent danger to patients and staff of this service.”
It said the safety concerns emphasised the “urgent need” to consider a relocation. There are now plans for another “emergency temporary relocation” of the UTC, this time from Erdington to Good Hope Hospital in Sutton Coldfield.
A document from the NHS Birmingham and Solihull Integrated Care Board said it would mean “no on-going risk to patient and staff safety” as well as newer facilities than the current site. It added: “It is recommended the option of moving into Good Hope Hospital would be the most positive impact in wider service provision balanced against the most minimal available change required to ensure patient and staff safety.”
The document said the option of doing nothing and leaving the service in its current location was “not in the best interests of patients and staff attending or working at site due to the safety concerns”. It said that option would have a longer-term negative financial impact due to extra security measures that would be required.
The closure of the service was also not recommended, with the document saying: “The loss of an Urgent Treatment Centre within our system [...] would impact on other supporting services". Earlier this year, a committee meeting heard from health bosses that the temporary move was “about protecting staff and patients".
An update, published in September, said a review of UTCs across Birmingham and Solihull was being carried out, including options for the permanent location of North Birmingham UTC. The second temporary move is set to be discussed at a Health, Adult and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday, December 4.
