To include:
- An update on the flu immunisation programme in Bromley
- Long COVID-19 syndrome
- COVID-19 immunisation plans for Bromley
- Bromley Health and Wellbeing Centre
Minutes:
Flu Immunisation
The Borough Based Director – South East London Clinical Commissioning Group (“Borough Based Director”) informed Board Members that the flu immunisation programme across the borough was going well, despite the phasing of deliveries creating a challenging period during October and November. The national target for the over 65’s cohort was 75%, and current data indicated that this figure had been reached in Bromley. With regards to the ‘at risk’ under 65’s, the target was also 75% - only 50% of this cohort had received their vaccination, however it was noted that this was already an increase on the previous year.
The Borough Based Director advised that due to reporting delays, the data regarding the uptake of the flu immunisation by pregnant women was not yet complete, and as the school’s programme was still ongoing, the final figure for this was currently unknown. It was noted that the programme delivered by GP’s to 2 and 3 year-olds was also progressing well, with uptake of over 50%.
From the beginning of the month, immunisations had been offered to the 50-64 year-old cohort. They were aware that some pharmacies had been experiencing challenges with regard to how much stock they had been given, as they were only able to order 10 doses at a time, which it was noted was a national approach. GP practices were expecting to deliver the flu immunisation to this cohort, and were preparing to do so.
Work was being undertaken with providers to ensure they had a good uptake of staff receiving the immunisation. Over 60% of staff at King’s had received their flu immunisation, however its target was 90%. The uptake at Bromley Healthcare and Oxleas was better than the previous year, but there was still a way to go to reach the 90% target. One of the “success stories” was care homes, with over 90% of residents’ having received their flu immunisations, and now that further doses had arrived, were starting to vaccinate members of staff.
The Borough Based Director noted that they were extremely grateful for the help received from the LBB Public Health and Communications teams in promoting messages around the take up of the flu immunisation. In response to a question from the Chairman, the Borough Based Director said that she was assured that there were enough flu immunisations available for the 50-64 year-old cohort, and noted that a different system was being used for their distribution.
COVID-19 Vaccine
The Borough Based Director informed Board Members that the announcement had been made the previous day that the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine had been licenced. 50 acute sites across England had been selected as hubs for the vaccine. The PRUH, Denmark Hill and Guy’s and St Thomas’ had been chosen to act as hubs, and they were currently looking at the local arrangements. In response to a question, the Borough Based Director siad that further sites for mass vaccination had been identified across the borough, and it was anticipated that these would be approved by NHS England before the end of the year. It was intended that two groups would be prioritised – the over 80’s, and health and social care workers. It was not known exactly how much of the vaccine would be received, but deliveries were expected the following week – however it was highlighted that the very large stocks would not arrive until January / February 2021.
A Member noted that there may be some confusion with the flu immunisation and COVID-19 vaccination messages overlapping, and also suggested that the Community Champions may be able to help engage with hard to reach groups. The Borough Based Director said that it was intended that people would be called in to receive their COVID-19 vaccination, in order to maintain infection control. They were eager to get to hard to reach groups, and they would be happy to receive help from the Community Champions to do so.
The Borough Based Director advised that they hoped to provide a briefing on the role out of the COVID-19 vaccination the following week. The Chairman suggested that further updates on the vaccination programme could be included in the weekly COVID-19 briefing provided to Board Members, and noted that a webinar for Members could be extremely useful.
Long COVID-19
The Borough Based Director advised that there was a small amount of resources made available for each SDP or ICS to provide services, and also support for primary care in relation to Long COVID-19. There was a respiratory consultant working across South East London to agree the pathways and services to be provided – such as rheumatology, respiratory care and mental health services. GP practices would also be required to provide support to patients with Long COVID-19 over the coming months.
The One Bromley Programme Director – South East London Clinical Commissioning Group (“One Bromley Programme Director”) informed Board Members that they would continue to build on the Community COVID Management Service. As part of the South East London group, they had met with the respiratory consultant to develop the community offer. They would consider how to identify patients’ with Long COVID-19 in the community, as well as those that had already been through the hospital, and assess them to see if they were suitable to attend the clinics. They also need to ensure that the right advice and guidance was provided to GP practices to manage and support patients in the community. Some additional funding had been identified in the winter fund, and put aside, and conversations were taking place to ensure there was sufficient capacity within primary care. It was noted that draft guidance from NICE had been published, and the work being undertaken was in line with London-wide and national plans for Long COVID-19.
In response to a question regarding communications, the One Bromley Programme Director said that they would take a “two-pronged” approach. Communications would be provided to primary care colleagues asking them to identify patients with potential Long COVID-19 symptoms, as well as undertaking some case finding work to follow up with patients that had been through the Community COVID Monitoring Service to see how they were feeling after six and ten weeks.
Bromley Health and Wellbeing Centre
The One Bromley Programme Director reminded Board Members that at the last meeting, a brief update had been provided on the Bromley Health and Wellbeing Centre, which had been largely positive. The design had been fully costed and was within their capital budget, which also had a good level of contingency, and positive conversation had taken place with stakeholders. It had been anticipated that the scheme would be going through the governance process by now, however they had since “hit a stumbling block” in relation to the commercial arrangements of the project. It had been intended that they would work closely with a NHS Property Service, CHP, as a development partner for the scheme. As CHP were a major stakeholder, they were no longer able to take the project forward, and therefore other feasible options would now need to be considered. It was highlighted stakeholders would be kept informed of any further progress, and it was highlighted that this was not expected to impact the ultimate timescale of the project.
Members expressed their concerns regarding the delays to the project. It was a significant project within the borough, and it was hoped that project could be progressed as soon as was possible. A Member suggested that the issue should be raised with the local MP. In response to a question, the One Bromley Programme Director clarified that the scheme was fully costed and designed. However, they were required to work through the NHS structures related to capital developments. The CCG could not take forward schemes by themselves, as they were unable to take on leases, and a development partner was therefore required. In response to a question, the One Bromley Programme Director advised that their preference would be to work with an NHS partner, however they were also looking at other available routes which may involve external bodies.
RESOLVED that the updates be noted.