The St Pancras Hospital Transformation Programme

Summary

This is a report of the main discussion points from a recent stakeholder engagement event held between NHS partners, GPs, patients, carers, service users and community representatives associated with the Peckwater Centre. The focus of the event was on developing a shared ambition for the centre and to discuss proposals to enhance the existing range of services it provides, set in the context of a wider programme of service changes in the area as part of the St Pancras Hospital

Transformation Programme

It was a positive, constructive discussion with general agreement around key themes and principles for planning and developing services at the centre. In summary, much of the conversation focused on the importance of:

• Making sure any new services complement existing ones, and having a longterm strategy for the centre
• Making it easier for people to access services – through service information, transport information, opening hours and so on
• Coordinating and integrating care – particularly for people with multiple conditions and between physical health and mental health services
• Maintaining the Peckwater Centre as a much-valued community asset
• Strengthening opportunities for community engagement and joint working between services, patients, service users and the local community, including third sector organisations

It was agreed that the event was and should be part of an ongoing dialogue between all parties.

It was also agreed that organisations who are tenants of the Peckwater Centre and the GP practice should establish an advisory group of patients, service users, clinicians, social care representatives, mental health professionals, and voluntary sector partners. The group could help guide decision-making and ensure that services are shaped by those with lived experience, particularly individuals with mental health conditions, autism, and long-term health needs.

Context and background

The NHS in north central London has been working over recent years with GPs, health and care staff, patients, community representatives and residents who work within and use the Peckwater Centre in Camden. This has included discussions on the range and type of services provided from Peckwater in the context of the St

Pancras Transformation Programme. Together they are seeking to agree a collective ambition for the centre and the services provided there. There is a shared desire to enhance the range of services provided at Peckwater for the benefit of Camden residents, particularly those with multiple conditions. There is some vacant and under-used space leased by Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (a provider of services covering community, sexual health, mental health, health and justice and addictions services), and North London NHS Foundation Trust (a provider of a wide range of mental health specialist services), and part of the discussion has been focused on how to best use this space.

As part of the ongoing dialogue a stakeholder event was held on Tuesday 28 January 2025 at the Greenwood Centre in Kentish Town. The focus for the event was to:

• coalesce around participants’ collective ambition for the site
• discuss proposals that enhance the existing range of services provided for the benefit of Camden residents
• continue the dialogue about the opportunities co-location of services presents
• gather feedback to inform decision making

The event was chaired by Cllr Anna Wright, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing, and Adult Social Care at Camden Council, alongside co-chair Dr Jo Sauvage, Chief Medical Officer, North Central London Integrated Care Board (NCL ICB). The meeting was well attended by a wide range of different stakeholders (see Appendix

A) and there was a positive, enthusiastic and constructive discussion over the course of the afternoon. North Central London ICB extends its sincere thanks to all attendees for their valuable contributions.

The insights gathered during the session will be instrumental in shaping the next steps of this project. This thematic summary highlights the key discussion points and priorities identified during both the plenary session and table discussions.

Thematic summary

Plenary discussion

NHS colleagues opened the event with a presentation (see Appendix B) that outlined the purpose of the meeting and provided key context, including:

• plans for services currently provided from St Pancras Hospital have been reviewed, with proposals for:
• dialysis services to move to a new Camden site
• ophthalmology services to relocate to Moorfields and Royal Free

Hospital clinics

53 rehabilitation beds and associated services, and four mental health services are to remain on the St Pancras Hospital site the Peckwater Centre offers an opportunity to expand and integrate services, particularly for residents with multiple long-term conditions alternative accommodation for kidney services is being explored, but Peckwater has not been shortlisted as a future potential site.

The presentation emphasised that the Peckwater Centre is a valued community asset and that any new services should:

• complement existing services
• make it easier for people to access services
• make care more coordinated – particularly for people with multiple long-term conditions
• strengthen integration between physical and mental health services
• help reduce health inequalities in Camden

NHS colleagues explained that the detail and timelines associated with the proposed service moves would be shared in due course once agreed and confirmed.

Following the presentation there was a plenary discussion. Attendees welcomed the update and agreed with and supported the principles outlined above about making sure that any new services complemented existing ones; seeking to make care more coordinated, access as easy as possible and to reduce health inequalities; and that it was right to focus on the benefits of integrating physical and mental health services at Peckwater. Attendees were grateful that the NHS had heard and listened to earlier concerns about potentially relocating dialysis services from St Pancras to Peckwater and were pleased that the NHS is now able to confirm that alternative proposals are being developed and that Peckwater has not been shortlisted as a potential dialysis site.

Key themes that emerged from the plenary discussion included:

• Attendees raising points about access and infrastructure, specifically:
• That there are some challenges related to parking, especially during school time and road restrictions, although it was noted that a one-way system was in place to support better flow of vehicles at peak times
• Adjustments could be made to improve unclear signage and building navigation, particularly for users of mobility, diabetes care and physiotherapy services
• Another theme related to the wider integration of services. There was a strong desire for maximising integration between mental and physical health services, particularly in shared spaces like Peckwater’s much valued and used community garden and the gym.
• Some people felt there were limitations of the current offer to patients for some services, for example, only offering 6 weeks of physiotherapy support, when some patients need help for longer. People wondered if there is any potential to enhance access hours and address long-term care needs and support for those living with, for example, COPD, Long Covid, autism or ADHD.
• Community engagement was a key theme discussed by attendees, specifically around how services could be designed to address loneliness and isolation, especially among older adults. Some suggestions were made for additional community groups and more social support, as well as additional services and community activities to promote wellbeing.
• There was strong support for improved collaboration with third sector organisations and for the importance of integrating community voices and those with lived experience into decision-making processes. People were supportive of increasing the involvement of voluntary groups alongside NHS services. It was generally agreed that there were opportunities to explore how different services could work more closely together and how, in doing so, they could create effective synergies between mental health, physical health and third sector services.
• NHS colleagues emphasised that there is already close partnership working with the third sector in some areas, such as work to co-locate neurodevelopment services with third sector partners as part of a community transformation programme. Attendees signalled their support for enhanced collaboration. Some attendees did raise concerns about the potential for privatisation, and emphasised the importance of maintaining public, community-focused services.
• As part of the session, there was discussion about the rationale behind the proposals to locate some services from the St Pancras Hospital site to Peckwater. NHS representatives stressed the goal was to bring appropriate care closer to communities and away from hospital sites to make them more accessible for people, while also, pragmatically, needing to find a new home for some services as part of the St Pancras transformation programme. Dr Sauvage described how a key driver (across the country, not just in north central London) is to bring services into communities for residents but also to bring them closer to primary care teams (such as GP, community pharmacy, dental and optometry (eye health) services) and to support a better join-up between mental and physical health services. She also explained how health services were moving away from a purely medical model and needed to work more closely with communities and local authority, third sector and other partners to address the wider determinants of health, such as housing, employment, education, the physical environment and social conditions. It is this approach that can have a greater impact on helping people to manage their health and in reducing health inequalities in the population.
• There was discussion about neurodevelopmental and mental health care with people supportive of any expansion of ADHD and autism services that could help address long waiting times and the need for ongoing support. More broadly there was strong support for better integration of mental health and physical health teams, particularly for patients with severe mental illness.

Table discussions

After the plenary session, attendees participated in table discussions. There were six table groups focused on exploring the following questions:

• Based on what you've heard today, how can we maximise the benefits and opportunities from our proposals?
• What do you see as the main risks or challenges, and what strategies can we use to mitigate or address them?
• How can the physical and mental health services we've discussed collaborate effectively to deliver the greatest benefit for our patients, staff, and local communities?

Several key themes emerged from the table discussions relating to the first question. These included:

• The desire for a coherent long-term strategy for the Peckwater Centre.
• Feedback was that, historically, services have come and gone without a clear overarching plan, leading to a lack of continuity. Stakeholders emphasised the importance of a structured operational development plan to ensure the centre remains a sustainable, well-integrated hub for health and community services for local people. It was suggested there was a real opportunity for the Peckwater
• Centre to not only serve Kentish Town but also to act as an ‘ecosystem’ supporting residents across Camden and potentially neighbouring boroughs. Attendees wanted to be sure that plans for the space would allow for the growth of teams and the number of people accessing services over the long term – for example the next five to ten years.
• Attendees believed that to achieve this vision, ongoing community involvement was essential. They suggested organisations who are tenants and the GP practice committing to establishing an advisory group of patients, service users, clinicians, social care representatives, mental health professionals, and voluntary sector partners. The group could help guide decision-making and ensure that services are shaped by those with lived experience, particularly
• individuals with mental health conditions, autism, and long-term health needs. It was suggested that a regular ‘You said, we did’ report could be shared as part of the ongoing dialogue between patients, service users, the local community and
• health and care providers and commissioners.
• Collaboration and integration of services was another theme and was highlighted as crucial for maximising patient benefits. People reflected how current physical and mental health services can operate in silos, and there was a strong push for better coordination and co-location of services. For example, the feedback highlighted there was a real opportunity for musculoskeletal services (for conditions that affect the muscles, joints, bones, and spine), heart failure support, and neurodevelopmental services (ADHD/autism) to work more closely together. It was also noted that the garden space and gym are helpful spaces to bring physical and mental health services together.
• Ensuring efficient use of space was another area highlighted as an opportunity. Stakeholders suggested better flexibility in space design to encourage shared working environments and allow for more flexible service delivery.
• Attendees reflected that parking restrictions, unclear signage, and transport difficulties, particularly for elderly and vulnerable patients, could be challenging.
• Suggestions and opportunities for improvement included improving wayfinding, offering clearer public transport guidance to patients and service users, and exploring community transport options like a minibus service.
• Additionally, stakeholders emphasised the need for good and effective communication—both digitally and in paper formats - to ensure patients and
• service users stay informed about what services are provided at the Peckwater Centre, proposed service changes and upcoming developments.
• Many stakeholders said there was a real opportunity to make the Peckwater Centre a more vibrant, community-centered space. There was strong support for services that reduce divides between different age groups and make the centre welcoming for younger people as well as older adults with long-term conditions. Aesthetic improvements were suggested, including developing a more inviting, less clinical environment, enhanced signage, and flexible spaces that can be used for community events and educational sessions.
• Finally, transparency and accountability were highlighted as important. Attendees called for clear timelines for service moves, updates on decisionmaking, and greater clarity on how services at Peckwater will interact with those at nearby GP practices, such as Caversham. A ‘You Said, We Did’ feedback mechanism was suggested to keep the community informed about how their input is shaping future plans and as a key opportunity to improve wider community engagement.
• A range of challenges and risks were highlighted throughout the discussions about the second question asked, particularly regarding the effective use of space, service integration, staffing and communication.
• People talked about service mix and integration with attendees describing a risk of a "hodgepodge" mix of services at the centre historically and currently, which, while individually valuable, some people thought do not necessarily work well together.
• It was suggested there was uncertainty over whether Peckwater should function as a health and wellbeing hub or have a more clinical focus. Participants talked about the need for a clear vision to ensure services are strategically aligned and effectively coordinated. The risk of siloed working was also raised, with concerns that opportunities for collaboration and holistic patient care could be missed without better integration of physical and mental health services and the breaking down of organisational barriers. It was noted that the current layout and structure of the building space doesn’t lend itself to collaborative working between services and ways to bring different staff groups together should be identified, looking at the opportunities within the space.
• This led to discussion about how the space could be optimised, particularly in ensuring it is effectively managed and flexible enough to accommodate different services. Questions were asked about how booking systems would work, whether services could be scheduled in evenings and weekends, and how different service providers would coordinate their use of shared facilities. The need for clear signage and wayfinding so that patients could easily navigate
• the building and understand where services are located was highlighted again.
• A significant challenge identified was the availability of staff, particularly for specialised services such as neurodevelopmental care. Some fed back their view that while funding has been allocated to expand services, recruitment has been hampered by government restrictions on hiring international staff and by some experienced professionals moving to private practice. Participants highlighted the need for long-term staffing solutions rather than reliance on agency staff, ensuring continuity of care for patients.
• Accessibility issues were raised as a key risk, particularly around parking, school traffic congestion, and the lack of clear transport options for those with mobility challenges. Some participants suggested exploring the potential for a dedicated community transport service, such as a minibus, to help those who struggle to reach the centre. There were also points raised about public transport routes and the need for clearer information on how to get to the centre via different modes of transport. It was noted that the population in Camden and Islington is diverse, and some people may require an interpreter to support access to services and ensure that patients receive the care they need. It was felt this should also be a consideration when planning which services go into the Peckwater Centre. Information about how to access services, especially for mental health service users, could be made more accessible.
• Poor communication between services was raised as a risk across several table groups, with examples of patients experiencing delays in treatment due to a lack of joined-up working. Attendees recommended improved coordination between GP services, hospitals, and community providers to prevent patients from falling through the gaps. The need for better IT systems to support information-sharing was also a theme, with concerns that outdated technology risked preventing seamless coordination between different healthcare teams.
• People talked about risks related to continuity of care and the fact that some people felt they needed more follow-up support once discharged. Patients suggested developing clearer pathways for continued care.
• Attendees discussed the importance of continued community involvement in shaping the future of the centre. A structured oversight approach was suggested, to ensure the centre remains a community asset. People expressed again a desire to make sure that residents, patients and service users are engaged in discussions around any significant proposed changes.
• Participants also wanted to be sure there is transparency in decision-making, particularly regarding the proposed relocation of services and the long-term vision for Peckwater’s role in the wider healthcare system.
• Discussions around the third question, the integration of mental and physical health services, highlighted several key themes:
• Generally, everyone was supportive of the need for a coordinated and integrated approach to physical and mental health services, ensuring they work together effectively to deliver the greatest benefit for patients, service users, staff, and local communities. A key recommendation was co-locating services to prevent siloed care and to maximise opportunities for collaboration.
• Stakeholders also discussed the importance of a ‘one team’ approach, where shared spaces - such as the gym and garden - are actively used to encourage interaction, joint activities, and engagement between different providers and service users. To support this integration, it was suggested that new activity programmes could be developed. Open to all, there was a shared view that these would foster both physical and mental wellbeing.
• The use of social prescribers was also highlighted as a way to strengthen connections between health services and the community, particularly through collaboration with GP surgeries.
• Additionally, stakeholders recommended establishing joint service user and carer groups to ensure that lived experiences shape service provision in meaningful ways and to ensure a cycle of improvement and evolution over the
• long term as service user and population needs will change.
• Ongoing learning and collaboration among staff and service users was seen as critical, with a strong emphasis on knowledge-sharing across disciplines, to ensure that service provision evolves to meet the changing needs of the community. It was suggested that bringing people with specific health conditions together to share their experiences, connect and support each other to manage their health condition was an important consideration for the centre.
• Finally, most attendees expressed optimism about the proposed plans and wanted to see them implemented with a degree of flexibility in the medium term, recognising
• the need for pragmatism now. There was widespread agreement about the importance of keeping the community engaged in decision-making, ensuring that
• the Peckwater Centre remains a collaborative, patient-centred hub for both physical and mental health services.

Conclusion and next steps

The Co-Chairs thanked everyone for the constructive discussion and valuable contribution to what all agreed should be an ongoing dialogue.

Specifically, it was agreed that this event report would be shared with the St Pancras Transformation Programme Board for information and to seek their endorsement for the recommendation to establish a Peckwater Centre Advisory Group with members drawn from health and care providers delivering services from Peckwater, the GP practice (Caversham), patients, carers and service users, residents and local community representatives, and other Peckwater Centre stakeholders. The Programme Board will be asked to acknowledge and consider the discussion points, challenges and opportunities raised and explored at this stakeholder event.

NHS commissioner and provider trust colleagues also committed to sharing further details on the plans and likely timescales for the proposed service moves that were discussed, once the proposals have been formally agreed and further detail is available.

Ends

Appendix A

The event was attended by: Caversham Group Practice

• Mark Agathangelou CPPEG (Camden Patient & Public Engagement Group) Chair
• NCL community participant and PPG (patient participation group) member Roderick Allison
• Caversham Group Practice PPG Chair Sonia Amos Senior Communications Manager, NCL ICB
• Ruth Appleton CPPEG and Caversham Group Practice PPG Marilyn Bland Patient of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL)
• Josephine Carrol Managing Director, North London NHS Foundation Trust Jasbir Channa Quality & Service Improvement Lead, The Camden Musculoskeletal (MSK) Service, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH)
• Dr Kevin Clarkson GP Partner, Caversham Group Practice Matt Cook Operations Manager, Connect Health
• Michael Delaney Patient of CNWL
• Vernie Edwards Patient Participant - Diabetes
• Martin Emery Senior Engagement Manager, NCL ICB
• Irene Fuchs CPPEG and Brondesbury Medical Centre
• Kathy GrahamHarrison CPPEG
• James Wigg General Practice PPG
• Elizabeth Green Patient of CNWL
• Hilary Hanslip Patient of CNWL
• Kate Harwood PPG member, Caversham Group Practice and Patient of North London NHS Foundation Trust
• Stephanie Hood Communications and engagement support for NCL ICB
• Malcolm Hunt Patient of North London NHS Foundation Trust
• Ivy Johnson CPPEG and the Abbey Medical Centre PPG
• Iva Johnson Patient, Abbey Medical Centre
• Nichola Jones Communications and engagement support for NCL ICB
• Pat Keeling Deputy Programme Director, St Pancras Transformation Programme
• Michele Lawson Service Manager, Camden Diabetes Integrated Provider Unit (IPU) and Extended Access Service, Camden Health Partners
• Nikita Limbu Projects Lead, Healthwatch Camden
• Prosper Mafu Managing Director – Islington Division, North London NHS Foundation Trust
• Christine Monks Podiatry Team Leader, CNWL
• Jo Murfitt Programme Director, NCL ICB
• Shantell Naidu Diabetes Nurse Consultant, CNWL
• Vaness Odlin Managing Director, Goodall Division, CNWL Nick Pairaudeau Patient of North London NHS Foundation Trust
• Praveena Patel Clinical and Operational Lead, Camden Podiatry Service, and AHP Podiatry Lead, CNWL
• Bob Paterson CPPEG and Keats Group Practice PPG
• Nii Plange Chair, Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patient Association
• Jo Reeder Assistant Director of Place (Camden), NCL ICB,
• Cllr Larraine Revah Chair, Camden Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee
• Dr Jo Sauvage Chief Medical Officer, NCL ICB Alexander Smith Director of Service Development: Community, Mental Health and Learning Disability and Autism, NCL ICB
• Manishi Srivastava Patient Participant - Diabetes
• Katalin Swann Care Navigation Manager, Age UK Camden
• Donna Turnbull Health Transformation and Partnership Manager, Voluntary Action Camden Gill Walt CPPEG
• James Wigg General Practice PPG Chair
• Simon Wheatley Director of Place (West), NCL ICB
• Jimmy Wolf Patient of CNWL Podiatry Service
• Charlotte Wormald Involvement and Engagement Facilitator, North London NHS Foundation Trust
• Cllr Anna Wright Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care, Camden Council
• Dr Stephen Yaxley Kentish Town South Primary Care Network and GP Partner, Queens Crescent Practice