Agenda item

Ian Ayres (Accountable Officer, NHS West Kent CCG) was in attendance in for this item.

(1)       The Chairman welcomed Mr Ayres to the Committee.  Mr Ayres gave an overview of the three core primary care services commissioned by NHS West Kent CCG to deliver urgent and emergency care: out of hours GP service, an enhance rapid response service to support patients with acute medical conditions in the community and GPs working in A&E to see and treat primary care type patients.

(2)       Mr Ayres explained that the contract for West Kent out of hours provision was coming to an end; in order to comply with NHS financial regulations and competition rules, the CCG was required to retender the out of hours contract. The short term proposal was to procure the three core services within one contract for two years (2015 – 2017) in order to improve integration and reduce fragmentation. Mr Ayres stated that the plans had not been taken to the CCG’s Governing Body as he wanted to engage early with HOSC. The long term proposal was to integrate health and social care services: acute, community, emergency and social services. He noted that these proposals would be brought to a future HOSC.

(3)       Members of the Committee then proceeded to ask a series of questions and make a number of comments. A Member questioned the resilience of the acute hospitals to act as a hub for the three core primary care services which delivered urgent and emergency care. Mr Ayres explained that GPs in A&E and the enhanced rapid response team would strengthen hospitals’ resilience as it would reduce pressure on A&E admissions. He stated that blockages in A&E were cause by minor rather than major trauma. A growing number of A&E attendees were people who required care but did not require care in a hospital setting. Mr Ayres noted that the short term proposals were aligned with the Keogh Urgent Care and Emergency Care Review.

(4)       In response to a specific question about the impact on surrounding areas, it was explained that the CCG had taken account of changes in the surrounding areas and had had discussions with commissioners and providers. It was noted the longer term proposals would require extensive engagement; the short term proposals provided the CCG with time to develop the complex and radical redesign of health and social care in West Kent. 

(5)       A number of comments were made about the use of IT to share patients’ medical data. Mr Ayres stated that there was a need for a system to share real time information with a range of professionals. This would enable clinicians to make better judgements, with regards to clinical risk, to admit or discharge patients. He noted that this would form part of the long term proposals.

(6)       Mr Inett offered Healthwatch Kent’s assistance with the Equality Impact Assessment and to share best practice consultation and engagement with the CCG. Mr Ayres welcomed the opportunity to work with Healthwatch Kent to improve the CCG’s engagement strategy for the short term proposals. Mr Ayres acknowledged Members’ comments regarding the need for further engagement on the short term proposals.

(7)       RESOLVED that:

(a)       The Committee do not deem this change to be substantial.

(b)       The guests be thanked for their attendance at the meeting, that they be requested to take note of the comments made by Members during the meeting and that they be invited to submit a report to the Committee in six months.