Agenda item

This report provides an update on the position of, and progress made to date on GP and Neighbourhood Health in Medway. This report is accompanied by a presentation, of which is attached at Appendix A to the report.

Discussion:

The Board received a presentation which provided an update on GP services and what future plans were relation to neighbourhood care.

In relation to GP services, the Board was informed that there has been some increase in the number of GPs in Medway. There had been significant rise in additional direct patient care staff (such as Health Care Assistants, Phlebotomists, Pharmacists, Physiotherapists, Podiatrists, Therapists) to support the population including an increase in access to services offered through pharmacies. There had also been investment in the offer for GPs through the support for practices programme which included peer ambassador mentoring programmes and targeted workforce planning.

However, it was acknowledged that whilst there had been increase in support for GPs, there was more to do for other primary care sectors such as pharmacies, dentistry and optometrists.

In relation to Neighbourhood Health, the focus would be on how to bring services together to increase productivity and effectiveness. Providing the level of care needed at home and prevention of hospital admissions which would reduce the pressures faced by acute services and support patients better.

Members then raised the following comments and questions:

The Kent and Medway Medical School was commended, and it was encouraging to learn that many graduates on the programme expressed aspirations to stay and work in Medway.

It was agreed that there was an over reliance on the acute sector, and it was imperative to break the cycle and change culture.

Neighbourhood health - it was crucial that GPs be involved in the early stages of the Neighbourhood Health plans. Any solutions required their involvement and buy in, in order for long term  goals to be accomplished. It was also commented that more detail was needed on the new accelerator programme to fully understand the plans and what the Council’s role would be in approving the plans on delivery. Officers acknowledged the need to work in partnership and utilise different skills and specialisms to deliver outcomes.

There were concerns regarding the roll out of Neighbourhood Health Plans , in light of the fact that Medway was currently operating with a significant shortfall of GPs needed for the population which meant that roll out of the plans would be on an already unstable foundation and infrastructure. A strong focus was needed on attracting more GPs to Medway. Officers acknowledged the importance of buy in from GPs. Additionally, the challenge with capacity, This was an opportunity to make working in Medway attractive by building on innovation and creating opportunities.

Communication - in response to a comment on issues with effective communication with the community and the high number of different computer systems used across Medway that did not interface with each other, the Board was informed that there was more to be done on sharing of records. This would create an opportunity for people to get the care that they needed delivered more quickly and efficiently.

It was commented that there was no reference to safeguarding in the report or mental health, and it was vital that those areas be covered in the plans

The Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer ICB added that Neighbourhood Health plans were being approached with a view to building on a service that we want to invest in and develop, not investing in what was ineffective.

Decision:

a)     The Board noted the report

b)     The Board agreed that an update report on progress on the Neighbourhood Health Plan be brough back to a future meeting

c)     Officers to work with the Democratic Services Officer on arrangements for a training session early next year on the Neighbourhood Health Plan