Agenda and minutes

Apologies for inability to attend the meeting were received on behalf of Councillors Paul Hewer and Andrew Rowles. Councillor Adrian Edwards substituted for Councillor Rowles.

To receive any Declarations of Interest from Members.

Councillors Tony Linden and Julian Swift-Hook declared an interest in Agenda Item 3, but reported that, as their interest was personal and not prejudicial, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

Purpose: To consider the proposal to close the GP branch surgery in Underwood Road, Calcot and make a recommendation to the NHS Berkshire West.

(Councillor Tony Linden declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that he was a patient of the Dr. Swami & Partners Surgery.  Councillor Julian Swift-Hook declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 3 by virtue of the fact that he was Chairman of West Berkshire Mencap.  As their interest was personal and not prejudicial they were permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

Helen MacKenzie (Deputy Chief Executive, NHS Berkshire West) described the Underwood Road Surgery as a branch surgery of the Abbey Medical Centre, Russell Street, Reading.  She explained that the doctor was present at the branch surgery 8 hours a week with the Surgery premises open a total of 16 hours per week.  Outside of the opening hours the surgery was locked and not in use.  Mrs MacKenzie described the Primary Care Trust’s view which was not to support a GP surgery at the Underwood Road location.  She described how GP commissioning groups would purchase care on behalf of patients in the future.  She also described that GP practices with more than one GP resulted in better clinical outcomes for the patient, due to GP peer support and better development of clinical expertise. 

She described that 9000 patients were registered at the Circuit Lane and Theale Medical Centre practices and there was the capacity to accept patients from the Underwood Road branch. 

Mrs MacKenzie described how local clinicians (GP commissioning leads) supported the NHS Berkshire West position as a step towards providing services which were fit for purpose in the future.

Mrs MacKenzie described the proximity of five other GP practices to the Underwood Road site: Circuit Lane (1 mile), Calcot Surgery (1.8 miles), the Abbey Medical Centre (2.2 miles), Western Elms Surgery (2.1 miles) and Dr Swami & Partners (2.2 miles).

Mrs MacKenzie then described the National Patient Survey findings (2009/10) which focused on patients satisfaction and compared the Abbey Medical Centre to the practices at Circuit Lane and Theale Medical Centre.  Members wished to see the data broken down to the Underwood Road branch level however this was not possible as the data was only collected at GP surgery level.  

Members queried whether the Abbey Medical Practice had come out more favourably on any of the indicators in relation to access to GP services when compared to Circuit Lane and Theale Medical Centre.  Mrs MacKenzie confirmed it fell below the levels of the other two surgeries on all measures in relation to GP access.

Members confirmed some of the difficulties in relation to access and parking at the Abbey Medical Centre at Russell Street and reported occasions where there had been long waits for appointments.

Members enquired of the levels of deprivation in the Underwood Road area and patients’ ability to reach alternative surgeries if they had financial and/or physical disabilities.  The NHS Berkshire West reported that they did not have this type of personal information about patients but indicated that the Underwood Road  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

Purpose:  To brief Members on recent activity and information in relation to local health services.

The Chairman briefed the Committee on the new White Paper “Equity & Excellence: Liberating the NHS”. He highlighted the changes in terms of Public Boards, scrutiny of clinical outcomes and empowering GPs in their greater commissioning role. He explained the timetable of establishing Independent Commissioning Boards by 2012 as well as the transferring of public health functions to Local Authorities.

He also explained to the Committee the high volume of NHS consultations on service changes he was receiving as Chairman of the Select Committee.  Members expressed an interest in receiving copies of the information in order to determine what items should be added to the work programme.  Changes to Children’s Heart Surgery and Berkshire Healthcare Trust reconfigurations were mentioned as potential items for future scrutiny. 

RESOLVED that the update be noted and that Members receive copies of all consultations on future service reconfigurations.