Agenda item

Ian Mello, Director of Secondary Care Commissioningand Catherine Tickle, Commissioning Programme Manager.

Catherine Tickle, Commissioning Programme Manager presented an overview of Elective Care and Cancer Recovery and Reform Board Update.

Catherine Tickle advised the Committee that there is a specific focus on long waiters across all elective care specialties (72+ week waits) and cancer long waits (62+ day waits), as the key priority areas identified by Greater Manchester Integrated Care Board, for the next phase of recovery following the pandemic. Catherine Tickle also advised the range of initiatives in place to support recovery at a Northern Care Alliance Group level and Bury Locality level are outlined in the presentation slides.

A member acknowledged that waiting lists were not good prior to the pandemic, therefore for context can members be provided with an outline of pre-pandemic waiting times in comparison to now. In response Catherine Tickle advised she will provide a response to the committee on pre-pandemic waiting times.  Prior to the pandemic there were programmes of work to address the waiting duration however most of the increased demand is in Mental Health support.

In addition, Councillor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing stated that a number of elective operations are being cancelled.  In assurance to the Committee Catherine Tickle confirmed that the utilisation of surgical hubs are being considered and we need to keep appointments and procedures happening by ringfencing the site and time. A further way of reducing cancelations it though theatre utilisation.

A member questioned what contingency plans are in place for the workforce risk identified within the presentation. Catherine Tickle advised Committee Members that there are certain specialties where we have seen a reduction in the workforce, an example is in dermatology. There is a Greater Manchester workforce strategy which links to training programmes including developing staff along with considering how services can deliver care in different places at different times. Kath Wynne Jones advised there is a Strategic Workforce group that has been set up and bury is facing similar issues to those nationally. The Group is looking into what makes Bury attractive to work in, methods such as recruitment fairs in central bury venues and parts of the community have taken place to start to identify people.

Discussions took place regarding dermatology and the transformation programme. Catherine Tickle advised that at a locality level General Practitioners have been equipped to help provide some treatments and triaging. In addition, there is a pathway in place so people are triaged, and this is about to be piloted in Salford Royal by EDERMA and will mean there will be a clinician between primary and Secondary care. In addition, at a Greater Manchester Level there is a reduction in the number of referrals. It was requested the Councillor Grimshaw be sent the total number of beds at Salford and if dressings can be done in the unit.

In response to questions regarding pre-operation to surgery time waiting and cancelations members were informed there is improvement. Whilst Covid is still an issue effecting or posing risk to service delivery including still being the largest contributor of staff time. Committee members asked if it is possible to try and obtain data on cancelled operations.

It was agreed that members note the report and thank you to officers who provided the update.