Agenda item

Tamsin Hooton, Director of Service Redesign (CCG) will present the attached paper.

6.1  Tamsin Hooton, Director of Service Redesign, SCCG, introduced the report on ‘Extended Primary Care in Southwark’. She explained that the SCCG have been looking at modelling an extended GP access offer, consisting of hubs in each neighbourhood open 8am to 8pm. The engagement exercises with the community so far have demonstrated overall support for plans, with key messages received from people on location, transport, access needs for primary care and the importance of communication.

6.2  A member commented that there are rumblings that the Lister Walk In Centre will close.  The Director of Service Redesign explained that there will be no formal notification until the third week of April, however the CCG are talking about the possibility of decommissioning this service. The focus is on encouraging GPs to be working collectively to participate in local hubs, the present Lister Walk In Centre will almost certainly be used, and again Dulwich Hospital is a likely location.  

6.3  The Director of Service Redesign was asked if this will improve access and she responded that we are looking at more integrated access - so there is not the present disconnect with local practices , as with  the Lister.

6.4  A member commented the paper talks about a model with either two or four hubs; he thought there should be a minimum of three, ideally four. She explained that there are cost implications, but four does sit with the CCG community plans, however there are issues with rotas and capacity.

6.5  The Director of Service Redesign was asked about waiting periods, and the member said that he is increasingly thinking that there should be a minimum waiting period to see a GP of 5 to 7 days. He voiced concern that people are saying they have to wait two or three weeks to a see a GP. Other members agreed and commented that their constituents had raised similar concerns.

6.6  Andrew Bland, Chief Officer NHS Southwark Clinical Commissioning Group, responded by explaining that there is a London piece of work looking at developing standards. The London NHS ‘Call for Action’ talks about differential access - some people are prepared to wait for preferred doctors, while other people want to see any doctor soon. To do this practices will need to collaborate at a greater scale and the model proposed aims to deliver the change necessary.

6.7  A member asked to what extant Southwark can decide the standard of service.
The CCG Chief Officer said that the CCG can offer extended services over and above the core standard - set by NHS England. He said it was important to engage with the ‘Call for Action’.

6.8  A member pointed out sometimes that there is local conflict over the delivery of services, for example drug addiction services and needle exchange, and the role of pharmaceutical services.

6.9  The Director of Service Redesign was asked about SELDOC and she said there was a challenge bid to improve access, however this will be competitive, but even if SELDOC do not receive the extra money the CCG will be meeting some recurrent costs to fund the initiative. Members emphasises the quality and importance of the SELDOC service.