New Deal Needed
On December 10th at Rugby Borough Council, Cllr Jerry Roodhouse will call for “A New Deal On Health ” for Rugby residents
The Charter asks for five simple things:
- Local access to care where it is safe and practical, especially outpatient clinics, diagnostics, and day surgery.
- Clear, respectful communication, so patients know what’s happening with their care and are treated with dignity.
- A genuine commitment to capturing patient experience, learning from it, and acting on it.
- Regular accountability, through a Rugby Health Forum and annual public reporting.
- A long-term plan for St Cross, recognising it as a vital part of our growing town.
These are not unreasonable demands.
They are the basics of a fair, modern, people-centred health service.
We are not asking for special treatment.
We are asking for equal treatment.
And for residents who have felt unheard for far too long, we are asking for a seat at the table and a voice that cannot be ignored.
This motion gives Rugby a platform to say:
We expect better. We deserve better. And we stand united in asking for a new deal for our community.
Councillors, have a choice.
You can allow the frustration, the delays, the distance, and the sense of being overlooked to continue — or you can support a clear, constructive way forward.
By passing this motion, we send a message to UHCW, to NHS partners, and to our residents:
Rugby is ready to work with you, but Rugby will no longer be left behind.
Notices of Motion pursuant to Standing Order 11. (a) Rugby Borough Council has a duty to residents regarding health and wellbeing (“Power of Wellbeing” Local Government Act 2000 section 2).
This Council therefore resolves that every Rugby resident seeks to have care delivered that is close to home, delivered with compassion, and shaped by the community and the people’s voice. Council also confirms that this can only be achieved by working together with key delivery partners in order to build a local health service that listens, learns, and treats every person with compassion, kindness and dignity.
This Council believes that a new “Rugby Health Partnership Agreement” is needed between the Integrated Care Board, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire Trust, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust, Coventry & Warwickshire Partnership Trust, Warwickshire County Council and key health and community delivery partners would bring added health benefits to our residents. (Key partners mentioned in this paragraph)
Furthermore, this Council would like to implement a joint working group charged with delivering a Health Charter for Rugby residents. This will be an agreement between all the partners and can be achieved by bringing together, elected members from across the political spectrum and working with the Portfolio Holder and representatives drawn from existing health and patient forums ensuring that the patient and community voice is heard.
Therefore, this Council resolves to:
1. write to the Integrated Health Board, University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire Trust, South Warwickshire Foundation Trust and Warwickshire County Council inviting them to promote and develop a ‘Rugby Health Partnership Agreement;
2. create a cross-party Working Group charged with delivering a Health Charter for Rugby residents, which be an agreement between residents and key partners in delivering health services within the Borough. The Working Group will be made up key partners as described, elected members from each political group, the Portfolio Holder and representatives drawn from existing forums to ensure that the patient and community voice is heard especially in delivery of services;
3. write to the parties outlined in the resolution UHCW, SWFT, ICB, WCC, CWPT, WCAVA Patient Forum, Healthwatch inviting them to join the Working Group; and
4. request the Portfolio Holder reports to Cabinet on progress.”
Proposer: Councillor Roodhouse Seconder: Councillor O’Rourke