NHS Greater Manchester Association of Clinical Commissioning Groups will give a presentation on the Review of Health and Care in Greater Manchester.
Minutes:
Dr Kiran Patel, Chair of the Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, attended the meeting to explain the current Healthier Together consultation and to ask those present for their comments and feedback on the proposals. It was explained that the way in which healthcare was provided across Greater Manchester was undergoing change. The three areas that were affected were:-
· GP services
· Health and Social Care
· Hospital Services (designation of Specialist Sites)
Work is currently taking place to look at how services between health and social care could be integrated. It was reported that some schemes were already in place to bridge the gaps. This ongoing work is bringing together lots of different organisations to provide joined up services across health and social care and bring more community based services to people outside of a hospital based setting.
The current consultation is asking all Greater Manchester residents to look at the different options for specialist hospital services (relating to Emergency and Planned abdominal surgery) across the conurbation and give feedback on them. Hospital currently providing specialist services such as stroke and heart surgery would not change. All hospitals that currently had an Accident and Emergency department would continue to have one and the changes being consulted on would effect a very small number of patients but would improve the service they received and help save lives.
The consultation was asking for views on which of the eight options set out was preferred and would run until 30th September, 2014. Copies of the consultation questionnaire were available at the meeting.
The Chair invited questions/comments from those present:-
Would maternity services be affected by the proposals?
Maternity services were not part of the proposals.
A question about standardised service provision at Specialist hospitals.
It was reported that all hospitals designated as providing “Specialist” services would meet all of the quality and safety standards and standard services would be retained.
Concerns regarding paramedics deciding on the appropriate hospital to take patients to and the subsequent time elements involved.
Any major trauma would be dealt with at a major trauma centre. Each journey would need to meet standards relating to the time elements in transporting a patient to the relevant hospital.
Are “Royal” hospitals preferred in terms of Specialist designation?
There are a number of “Royal” hospitals who are not deemed as “Specialist” centres.
My son is registered disabled – can parents still choose which hospital to take their child?
Yes, but if the nature of the emergency/non-emergency required specialist treatment, then that child would be transferred to the relevant “Specialist” hospital.
Will Bolton’s Children’s A & E remain?
The Children’s A & E will remain, specialist services may be provided elsewhere in Greater Manchester.
Concerns raised regarding proposals to close Children’s Centres in Bury.
The Healthier Together initiative would bring more care available to communities as part of integrated care services.
Councillor Shori commented on social care provision, the changing roles of health practitioners and the need for universal service provision within the community.
It was agreed:
That the information provided be noted, with thanks.