The Strategic Director, Place will submit Document “AC” which informs the  Committee about the objectives, performance and plans of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group and requests views and comments.

Recommended-

That the Committee notes and comments on the objectives, performance and plans of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group as outlined in Appendix 1 of Document “AC”.

                                                            (Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

Resolved –

That the objectives, performance and plans of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group as outlined in Appendix 1 of Document “AC” be noted.

(Health and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee)

                                                            (Jonathan Hayes – 01535 618008)

The Strategic Director, Place submitted Document “AC” which informed the  Committee about the objectives, performance and plans of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and requested views and comments.

Representatives of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG gave a presentation to the Committee on the information contained in Appendix 1 of the report.

A Member commented that the report only focused on the NHS and asked that future reports include details of partnership working.  This was agreed.

Members’ made the following comments:

·         There were too many missed appointments in GP surgeries and more work should be done to tackle this.

·         Concerns were raised about the lack of speed in financing areas of health care where there were significant  rises in cases such as mental health.

·         In relation to the issue of bed shortages in hospitals, it was suggested that patients in hospitals who were waiting for medicine prior to being discharged could wait in a day room rather than a bed which would free up the bed for another patient.

Members were assured that efficient handover of patients from ambulance to A&E was high on the CCG’s Quality Committee agenda, however this was a national issue and every measure possible to help alleviate it was being put in place.  There were side wards available in Airedale Hospital to place patients waiting for a bed; patients were not placed on stretchers in corridors.

In response to Members’ questions, it was reported that it was not possible to sanction people who missed GP appointments.  Some GP practices were working proactively to reduce the number of missed appointments and a campaign (It’s Your NHS Don’t Waste It) had been launched locally.  Following further discussion about the campaign, it was stated that patients were being encouraged to buy some medicines (such as paracetamol and ibuprofen) from a supermarket or pharmacy as it was cheaper to do so than for it to be prescribed.

Resolved –

That the objectives, performance and plans of the Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven Clinical Commissioning Group as outlined in Appendix 1 of Document “AC” be noted.

NO ACTION