Agenda item

To receive a presentation from Pamela Phelps, Senior Head of Commissioning Primary Care (NENC ICB), and Hilary Snowdon, Local Medical Committee.

Members received a presentation from Pamela Phelps, Senior Head of Commissioning Primary Care (NENC ICB), and Hilary Snowdon, Local Medical Committee.  A copy of the presentation is filed with the signed minutes.

The following key points were raised:

•       There were 36 practices which was down 10 since 2013/14 but with an increase in the number of patients of 12,000.  The ‘weighted’ element of that population registered with a practice had increased by 30,000.  This was leading to more complexity with patients when converted into workload, and complexities and more time and capacity was needed to support families.

•       An overview of the workforce was shown and also the age profile with the population of Northumberland seeking support from Primary Care and General Practice. There had been an increase of 130 in staff employed by practices across Northumberland but a small decrease in the number of GPs.  The increase in staff reflected a shift in patients’ reliance on just seeing a GP and realising that support was also aware at pharmacies, physiotherapists etc.

•       An overview of the Primary Care estate, main sites and surgeries had been carried out.  A number of surgeries needed to expand due to the number of patients needing to be seen.  The required capacity for appointments and in the estate were being looked at and also to align with other services such as the 0-19 service and mental health.

•       There was a marked increase in the number of appointments even from before Covid.  Details were given of the number of appointments available in Northumberland and the numbers of face to face appointments and home visits.  82% of patients got an appointment within two weeks.  The demographics and demand varied between practices and was reflective of the populations registered and the workforce skill mix in each.  It was stressed that the data set did not include all appointments.  Unfortunately, there was an increasing trend in missed appointments when the patient did not attend.

•       In order to improve patient experience, it was important to understand patient experience.  A five year Delivery Plan was being produced across the ICB and focusing on primary care, so including dentistry, optometry and pharmacy.  There would be an emphasis on patients being cared for by the Primary Healthcare Team within a practice and not just their GP.

•       It was important that the Health & Wellbeing Board had the opportunity to inform this agenda.

The following comments were made:-

•       It was noted that work to make healthcare services more accessible to fishermen at Amble had been very well received and it was suggested that a similar arrangement be considered for hill farmers.

•       The public did feel that there was an access problem locally and nationally.  There was a need to move away from the term General Practice and more towards Primary Care Teams.  There was a view by some that if you did not see your GP, then you were not receiving the best care, however, the most appropriate care may be elsewhere.

•       There needed to be a realisation about the value received from Primary Care in relation to the amount invested in it and the financial pressures affecting it.  Primary Care colleagues should feel supported to try to prevent them from wishing to leave.

•       Healthwatch received more queries about access to GPs than any other subject and it was reassuring to learn that there was a plan in place to improve this.

•       Before any change to a GP Practice, such as closure, there had to be full engagement with the community and there were meetings with the Health & Wellbeing Overview & Scrutiny Committee, the Primary Care Applications Working Group, and local Councillors.  A new framework was coming into place to reiterate where decisions were made and transparency of decision making was at the heart of that.  Any decision to close would be made by the ICB.

•       The new GP contract required all patients to leave the surgery with an outcome of some sort, whether that be an appointment or being signposted elsewhere.

•       Online consultations had been useful during the pandemic and were welcomed by many patients, but not all.  These consultations would remain available, however, there was still a pressure to increase the number of face to face consultations.  It was noted that the negative aspect of online consultations was that they were an added demand on the GP’s time.  It was important to do what was best for the individual patient.  The ability to receive photographs online or by text had been a very big advantage. 

RESOLVED to note the presentation.