A presentation will be given on Future Urgent Care Provision and the Township Forum will be asked for feedback as part of a consultation process.
Minutes:
Representatives from Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Dr. Patel and David Latham attended the meeting and gave a presentation as part of a public engagement in order 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:-
Q. How can the CCG be sure that the NHS 111 will be able to provide the support and advice to best inform the public on how they should deal with a condition?
A. The service within Bury started in December 2015. There were initial teething issues but calls are now completed quicker. Bury CCG would continue with the NHS 111 service and calls would be redirected to a Bury virtual hub. Callers would then be advised on a course of action based on their need.
Q. The cost of a visit to a walk in centre is less the cost of a visit to A&E. The numbers using walk in centres may be falling but the number of people presenting at A&E is rising.
A. The numbers of A&E visits are reducing due to the availability of others services.
Q. The new service will rely heavily on the NHS 111 which on a national level has not performed well. If the decision is taken to close walk-in centres the virtual hub will need to be ready by March 2017. In some cases patients want to see and speak to a practitioner rather than explaining symptoms over the phone.
A. Extended working hours are already in place at GP practices in place, advice is available in pharmacies and newly established wound clinics were already in place. The hub will bring these services together for a more efficient service.
Q. In view of the issues with the NHS 111 service, can we be confident that the correct advice will be given from the virtual hub? If people are going to use the service they need to feel reassured about the advice they are given.
A. The virtual hub or the existing BARDOC service will provide the support and advice.
Q. Why was the Patient Cabinet not informed about the proposals before the announcement was made known to the public?
A. The discussions held have included a member of the Patent Cabinet.
Q. What happens when no transport is available?
A. Arrangements are in place for an ambulance service for people who cannot access transport.
Q. Will services in Whitefield improve as a result of these changes?
A. The services in Bury will improve. The Bury Locality Plan will be used in conjunction with the local authority to ensure that services are accessible across the borough.
The Chair summarised some of the points raised:
· People trust the walk-in existing centre’s;
· People don’t fully trust the NHS 111 service;
· Communication with the users is key and it will be vital that the CCG gets a clear message across on what it plans to do and how a new system would work and the changes that are involved;
· Transport to access services is a major issue.
The Chair thanked Dr Patel and Mr Lathom for their attendance.