Agenda item

Purpose: To update to Board on commissioning arrangements for Primary Care.

Dr Bal Bahia introduced the Primary Care Strategy to Members of the Health and Wellbeing Board. The four Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Groups had recently been given approval to jointly commission primary medical services with NHS England under co-commissioning arrangements. Comments on the Strategy were being sought from the Health and Wellbeing Board. The document was currently aimed at professionals however, a public facing document would be created.

The Strategy had been developed through Call to Action events. At these events, views had been shared on what was happening with the health economy and they had played a fundamental role in obtaining feedback.

Dr Bahia referred to page 30 of the agenda pack which detailed the vision for Primary Care. By 2019 Primary Care in Berkshire West would:

·         Be an attractive place to work;

·         Offer defined level of care through varying delivery models;

·         Be sustainable;

·         Use technology to maximum effect;

·         Be preventative;

·         Provide targeted, proactive and coordinated care for ‘at-risk’ patients;

·         Be an integral part of the urgent care system;

·         Offer timely appointments over extended week in accordance with patient need;

·         Support patients to manage complex long-term conditions;

·         Be provided from fit-for-purpose premises;

·         Be high quality and cost-effective;

·         Be valued and utilised appropriately by patients.

The aim was to develop the out of hospital sector. The Strategy was aligned to the NHS’s Five Year Forward View.

Page 35 of the agenda pack listed the strategic objectives for Primary Care. Some of the work listed had already commenced such as acting as accountable clinicians for the Over 75s. Extended access had already begun through funding obtained by the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for winter resilience. The overall aim was to maximise the work of General Practitioners.

Page 45 of the agenda pack detailed how the Strategy was being delivered. There was a Quality Outcomes Framework (QOF), which monitored the quality of care and had ensured that care had become standardised. The empowerment of patients was a theme that would be built upon, along with providing continuity for patients and working in collaboration.

Adrian Barker noted that there was an aspiration to move away from practices, which served over 6000 patients and queried how many practices there were like this in West Berkshire. Cathy Winfield reported that there were none in West Berkshire specifically and this referred more to inner city practices for example in Reading.

Adrian Barker queried how the Primary Care Strategy aligned with the broader Health and Wellbeing Strategy. It was felt that some of the issues could be dealt with more effectively with a whole system approach.

Dr Lise Llewellyn commended the Strategy however, asked how it linked to the wider system and the Better Care Fund as Primary Care was at the heart of patient services. Dr Llewellyn also stated that they needed to work with the public to ensure that the message was communicated that continuity was not always provided by doctors, for example somebody might need to see another health professional such as a pharmacist. This would be a huge culture change.

(Councillor Roger Croft left the meeting at 9.30am)

Dr Bahia referred to Dr Llewellyn’s point and reported that part of the new way of working would involve looking at other services/professionals available.

Adrian Barker stated that it would be useful for both Healthwatch and the Council to form part of any engagement activity.

Cathy Winfield queried which Member of the Health and Wellbeing Board sat on the Co-Commissioing Committee as the Health and Wellbeing Board were entitled to a seat. It was confirmed that this role belonged to the Chairman of the Board. There was also a seat on the Committee for Healthwatch.