Minutes:
The Chair invited comments, questions from members of the committee and the following issues were raised:
Responding to a question in respect of a newspaper article suggesting the A&E department based at FGH may be downgraded; the Chief Operating Officer reported that there are no plans to downgrade A&E and FGH will continue to provide a high quality stroke service.
Members of the Committee discussed transport arrangements; the Chief Operating Officer reported that the CCG does not have decision making powers or jurisdiction in respect of how TfGM commission services, the CCG did not speak to Transport representatives when devising the proposals.
The Chief Operating Officer reported that 76,000 patients were seen in the walk-in centre in 2014/15; 67,000 in 2015/16 and a reduction of 6,500 in the first nine months of 2016/17.
In response to concerns raised, the Chief Operating Officer reported that NHS England has encouraged a national roll-out of the 111 programme to try and simplify the process for all patients irrespective of where they live in the country.
The Chief Operating Officer reported that the wound care services is already commissioned, the virtual clinical hubs will be rolled out following the decision of the CCG in respect of the urgent care redesign.
With regards to the role played by pharmacies, Dr Patel reported that they have a key role to play in providing advice and in encouraging patients to self care.
The Chief Operating Officer reported that he recognised that sometimes those suffering with mental health problems are not always able to access the most appropriate service. Pennine Care Foundation Trust do however provide the RAID service at A&E to help and support patients in distress.
With regards to an alternative proposal in respect of the Urgent Care Redesign; the Chief Operating Officer reported that if such a proposal is presented that the CCG have an obligation to consider it.
In response to confusion with regards to the commencement date of the consultation, the Chief Operating Officer reported that the consultation commenced on the 8th February 2017. Building on the already undertaken engagement exercise the consultation will include two public meetings and surveys will be available in GP surgeries, Libraries and Council buildings.
To clarify, the Chief Operating officer reported that at a CCG Board meeting an audience member proposed a vote of no confidence in the CCG Board, members of the public voted and the proposal was supported by members of the public present. The vote however has no constitutional basis. The Chief Operating Officer reported his concern that a representative from the Health and Wellbeing Board is appointed to sit on the CCG Board, but does not attend Board meetings.
The Chief Operating Officer reported that he welcomes the scrutiny of the urgent care redesign proposals and would want to see the same level of scrutiny from Committee members in all areas of the health and social care economy.
Responding to these comments, Councillor Kerrison acknowledged and accepted the need for overview and scrutiny across the entire health and social care economy.
It was agreed:
That it is sensible for health scrutiny to be able to receive details about the outcome of public consultation before it makes its response so that the response can be informed by patient and public opinion.
Representatives from Bury Clinical Commissioning Group would be invited to attend a meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee once the consultation has completed.