A presentation will be given on the evening.
Minutes:
Representatives from Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Dr. Patel and David Latham gave a presentation on the current engagement with the public to support the configuration of Urgent Care Services in Bury. A review of current service provision had concluded that the system was disjointed, had areas of inequality and supported duplication of some services in Bury. It was reported that the new model of service provision would not be about saving money but was about public engagement, ensuring that investment in services was being made in the right areas in order to provide a more simpler and efficient service. The presentation focused on the following areas:-
· The CCG's vision for Urgent Care Services;
· What the proposed model of service provision 'might' look like and why it would be better for patients;
· The implications for existing services.
The Chair invited questions/comments and representations from
members of the public present at the meeting, as follows:-
In response to concerns raised, Dr Patel reported that there is no
connectivity between the different urgent care services; 5% of the patients seen at the walk-in centre could be seen at A&E, 41% could be triage via the 111 telephone service. The CCG representative reported that there is no resilience in the current system and additional capacity is required.
In response to a Member’s question, the CCG representative reported that the CCG had commissioned a new wound service. The service will be provided in six different locations, patients requiring the service would be re-directed to the clinic closest to their home.
Dr Patel reported that the CCG do not expect there to be additional pressure on Pennine Acute’s Accident and Emergency service as a result of the urgent care redesign, the Trust has been fully engaged in the development of the proposals. A Primary Care front end service, staffed by GPs, similar to the model currently in use at North Manchester General Hospital will be developed at Fairfield Hospital. These new services will be able to triage members of the public attending A&E who require a primary care service.
Members of the Township Forum expressed concerns about the accessibility and the capacity of the 111 telephone service; as well as whether any impact assessment work had been undertaken to establish if the proposals would adversely affect the disabled, low income etc.
With regards to the reported £800,000 that would be saved by closing the Walk in Centres; the CCG representative reported that the money would be re-invested into any aspect of the urgent care service model that needed additional funds, this could include the Primary Care front end service at Fairfield A&E.
In response to concerns raised by Members, Dr. Patel acknowledged that the CCG could have engaged better prior to the announcement of the proposals and the CCG Board would have to reflect on the concerns highlighted during the engagement process.
Those present at the meeting asked that it be placed on record a number of concerns in respect of the proposed changes. Namely;
· the process is only a engagement exercise and not a full public consultation;
· there is no clear plan as to where the £800,000 will be re-invested;
· the engagement questions on the CCG website are not open and transparent;
· there is no evidence that an equality impact assessment has been undertaken
· it is not clear what the new proposals will include – will there definately be a new primary care front end service at Fairfield General Hospital?
· More in depth scrutiny of the proposals is required
It was agreed:
1. Concerns raised in respect of the proposed configuration of Urgent Care Services by members of the public present as well as members of the Township Forum will be forwarded to Bury Clinical Commissioning Group as part of the engagement exercise.
2. Democratic Services will write to Bury Clinical Commissioning Group on behalf of the Chair and Vice chair of the Bury East Township Forum requesting that the CCG arrange a public meeting to fully discuss the Urgent Care proposals.