Agenda item

Purpose: To present to the Health and Wellbeing Board the process and timescales for the Clinical Commissioning Group’s Commissioning Plans.

Phil Mcnamara gave a presentation to the Health and Wellbeing Board, which gave an overview of the process and timescales for the CCGs Commissioning Plans.

The key points of the presentation were:

·        key items that had derived from the Call to Action events.

·        Demands on Newbury and District identified through Call to Action were an ageing population, long terms conditions, urgent care and patient expectations.

·        The local financial forecast showed demand increasing rapidly.

·        Challenges identified related to the growth, included a requirement for £10.5 million efficiency savings having to be found.

·        The main focus over the next five years would be prevention and early detection.

·        The five year vision also identified the need for better integration between health and social services.

·        There would be a move towards hospital at home services in order to reduce the pressure on Accident and Emergency Services.

·        There was pressure for primary care to move to a 24/7 model.

·        The five year vision included a proposal for an Urgent Care Unit at West Berkshire Community Hospital. The service would be open to anyone over 18 years of age however, would be focused on the frail and elderly.

·        Operation plans had to be submitted by CCGs by 24^th January 2014 however, there was a further deadline in June 2014. The CCG Operation Plan needed tying together with relevant plans within the Council.

Councillor Graham Pask thanked Phil Mcnamara for his presentation and in particular was pleased to hear about the proposed urgent care unit for Newbury. He asked how this service would reduce pressures on services already in place. Phil Mcnamara reported that this option was being considered due to financial tensions. The cost of people going to Accident and Emergency was very high and in certain cases it was more suitable for people to receive their care in a more appropriate setting.

Rachael Wardell expressed her support for the proposals highlighted in Newbury and District CCGs Vision for the next five years.

Lesley Wyman reported that there was a strong link between the CCG and the Public Health Team and it was assuring to know that the CCGs plans were based on the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment. Lesley Wyman stressed that it was vital that the focus on self care was even greater and people’s ability to look after their own health and wellbeing. This should not just start later in life but during early childhood years to prevent issues later on in life.

Sarah Mussett stated that she looked forward to seeing greater detail on quality.

Councillor Gordon Lundie reported that in January a capped Drugs Bill had come into force, resulting in anything above 2% having to be paid by the industry. There was uncertainty about where this money was going and concern that it would not find its way back to the NHS and CCGs. Cathy Winfield reported that she was unable to comment on Councillor Lundie’s specific example however, confirmed that there was a very high level of growth. The figures included in the presentation were presumptions only. If more people were cared for in their own homes in the future, present costs could be expected to rise. Councillor Lundie commented that it was unhelpful to be handed a cost with no funding associated.

RESOLVED that CCG colleagues noted the comments made by Councillor Lundie.