Presentation from Colin Bradbury Head of Assurance NHS England (South London)
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation from Colin Bradbury. Questions for this presentation and the presentation on NHS Bromley were taken together.
Members raised concerns that numbers attending outpatients clinics had declined and this may be that the clinics have moved.
Officers explained that the aim was to provide out patient services locally but in come instances they were provide centrally with Kings being the route for services. Other London hospitals were also used for different specialism. One area of thought was that local GP’s also specialise in one area and not all practices would offer every service. However it was noted that this concept would be alien to GP practices and would need careful planning.
Members were aware that in relation to older people discharge did not have a good reputation. However the NHS was now funded to deliver social care and discussions at Health and Well being and officer level would determine how best to accommodate these needs within the budgetary constraints. In addition Bromley needed to work with NHS England to ensure the best use of services.
Members requested the percentage of patients in Bromley suffering with dementia. Officers would distribute this information to members. When considering Proactive Management and Integrated Services for the Elderly (PROmise) the goal was to be able to identify and manage cases in the community. Have a joint liaison with psychiatric services to identify those that are admitted to hospital and to undertake preventative work in the community.
Members requested information on the steps that would be taken if the CCG was found to be under performing. In response they were told that if the CCG was experiencing challenges NHS had a system in place to support it.
Members discussed the confusion around which number the public should use for medical advice, to avoid dialling 999. The status of the 111 service was also queried and officers agreed to provide briefing papers on the current status.
Officers reported that the CCG was developing an urgent care centre. This would be a new contract and would work differently to the current service. In January 2014 some of the current staff at Kings would move across to work in the Urgent care centre.
It was also explained that there was a duty to develop general practice. The CCG had had the ability to commission some services from GP practices. Bromley health care was sub contracting GP’s to provide diabetic care overseen by a senior consultant at Kings. Better control would reduce the instances of renal, heart and eye problems and therefore GP’s were being requested to identify patients before they needed hospital care.
Members asked officers how all the new ventures would be communicated to residents, it was explained that it will be publicised but only once the problems at the PRUH had been addressed.
Members also highlighted that some staff at the PRUH did not feel they were being kept up to date with developments. Mr Merriman explained that as they were now employed by Kings they would receive and induction.