Agenda item

Purpose:  Healthwatch West Berkshire have been invited to present their report on GP Access. The BOB ICB will present a report on access to GP services in West Berkshire and will give an overview of the introduction of Integrated Neighbourhood Teams in West Berkshire.

Sanjay Desai, Associate Director of Primary Care Operations (BOB ICB) provided an overview of the report on primary care access and Integrated Neighbourhood Teams. Also present for this item were Sarah Wise and Will Gordon from the BOB ICB.

During the discussion the following points were noted:

·       There was variation in satisfaction in West Berkshire GP Surgeries. It was advised that there was a Primary Care Quality Framework that considered all data including soft intelligence. This was used to talk to Practices about challenges and pressures they faced and what support the ICB could offer. It was noted there had been changes to the appointment process with the introduction of Anima and queried how this may have impacted satisfaction rates. It was confirmed that the Quality Framework allowed a more detailed understanding. The national patient survey was soon to be carried out and would provide further data.

·       It was advised that there was no one way to run a Practice. The ICB supported the implementation of best practice to meet patients’ needs and each practice offered different services and access for patients.

·       It was clarified at the Additional Roles Reimbursement Scheme (ARRS) enabled Doctors to work at the top of their licence while other staff members could support patients with less acuity. The triage process allowed patients to be seen by the right professional for their needs. This was part of the BOB ICB Primary Care Strategy.

·       It was noted that the BOB ICB were working with Healthwatch around the communications relating to ARRS and the use of care navigators to triage patients. The Healthwatch report noted that patients were confused and clearer communications were needed. It was noted that the BOB ICB had a health inequalities team that supported this work to ensure the communications were inclusive and that vulnerable patients were considered. It was highlighted that each GP Practice was independent and the services provided varied which made the communications more challenging with each practice doing things differently. It was noted that Healthwatch were supporting this work in communicating with the public. An infographic was available that helped, and West Berkshire Council could assist in sharing it for the BOB ICB.

·       An overview was shared on Integrated Neighbourhood Teams (INT). It was confirmed that they would initially target specific cohorts. There would be a mapping exercise to bring the right people together. The aim was to bring services together to improve partnerships. This would build on what was already in place. The long term vision was to enable more proactive working for patients with complex needs to help them to stay well in the community. This would be a more upstream approach of prevention.

·       It was highlighted that there was a strong history of partnership working in West Berkshire particularly with the voluntary sector and by lining up services there would be anticipatory care planning. The INT was in development and would build on the structures that currently existed.

·       It was suggested that wellness or health hubs would be beneficial in supporting people to access other services such as housing or drug and alcohol support. This could involve the voluntary sector and would need space. It was advised by the ICB that space was always an issue and they needed to make best use of their existing estate.

·       It was confirmed that the BOB ICB worked closely with GPs.

·       The Chair of the Health Scrutiny Committee noted support for the recommendations in the Healthwatch report.

·       It was agreed that the ICB return to the Health Scrutiny Committee with the development plan for the Integrated Neighbourhood Teams.

RESOLVED to note the report.