Agenda item

This report sets out an update from South East Coast Ambulance Service (SECAmb) in relation to NHS 111 and gives initial information about the concept of public access defibrillators.

Discussion:

The Director of Commercial Services, South East Coast Ambulance Trust (SECAmb) introduced a report, updating Members on progress with the NHS 111 service (a single point of access for people needing urgent NHS healthcare, when it is not an emergency).

In spite of initial teething problems the service was now working well and GP colleagues from Kent and Medway would be visiting shortly to see what further support could be provided. 

Responding to a question he stated that call abandonment rates were now routinely at less than 1%, the numbers of calls received had increased from 80,000 before Christmas to around 120,000.  Monthly statistics would be provided in the next update to the Committee.  The Director of Commercial Services also undertook to provide to Members details of the public surveys undertaken.

The Chief Clinical Officer, NHS Medway CCG stated that it was intended to have a pilot in MEDDOC for the service to have access to patients’ medical records, with their permission (or their family if appropriate) and explained the stringent security measures put in place to ensure that the information was not used inappropriately.

In response to a Member request, the Director of Commercial Services undertook to arrange, through the Democratic Services Officer, a visit for the Committee to the Ashford call centre.

The representative from the Pensioners Forum explained that there was still some confusion among the public about the NHS 111 service.  The Director of Commercial Services and the Chief Clinical Officer, NHS Medway CCG explained that the intention had been for NHS England to lead a campaign to inform the public about NHS 111 but this had been delayed as the service was not yet available across the country.  In view of the confusion being caused, they undertook to work together on the appropriateness of a local information campaign.  The Director of Commercial Services stated that he would welcome an opportunity to discuss with the Committee further the work programme of the Trust to explain the Trust’s aspirations.

The Voluntary Services Co-ordinator, South East Coast Ambulance Trust

introduced to Members the merits of public access defibrillators (PADs) (used on victims of sudden cardiac arrest) and requested the Committee’s assistance in promoting the scheme in Medway, possibly by leading the way by having a public access defibrillator at Gun Wharf.  The Director of Public Health suggested that it might be more appropriate for it to be placed elsewhere based on a pattern of call outs in the area.   The Voluntary Services Co-ordinator stated that work was ongoing on a mobile phone application, which would show where the nearest PAD was in relation to the current location of the person.

Following a question the Voluntary Services Co-ordinator confirmed the PADs cost around £900 and SECAmb would provide support with their use, which was very straightforward.  Members were supportive of the request.

Decision: 

(a)   The Director of Commercial Services and Voluntary Services Co-ordinator were thanked for their presentation;

(b)   It was agreed that a visit for the Committee to the Ashford call centre for NHS 111 would be arranged;