Previous reference: Minute 68 (2017/2018)

The report of NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, NHS Bradford City CCG and NHS Bradford Districts CCG (Document “AF”) outlines the initiatives that the CCGs and primary care providers are undertaking to improve the quality of services delivered, which includes access and how they are engaging patients in the process.

Recommended –

That the Committee:

(1)       Receive and note the CCGs’ commitment and actions taken to improve access to appropriate primary medical care services.

(2)       Receive and note initiatives that are being developed that will impact the primary medical service offer to residents.

(Victoria Wallace – 01274 237524)

Previous reference: Minute 68 (2017/2018)

The report of NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, NHS Bradford City CCG and NHS Bradford Districts CCG (Document “AF”) outlined the initiatives that the CCGs and primary care providers were undertaking to improve the quality of services delivered, which includes access and how they were engaging patients in the process.

Members were provided with a summary of the report.  An omission in the report, within paragraph 2.3 was corrected; there were two GP Practices in Bradford with an inadequate rating which were The Heaton Medical Practice and Avicenna Medical Practice.  Members were assured that improvement plans had been put in place for these two practices to ensure that the quality in both improved.  An update was also provided that the one practice that was cited in the report as ‘requires improvement’ was now rated ‘good’.

Following a summary of the results from the patient survey, Members were informed that City Health, located in the Bradford City CCG area, was due to launch a  ‘patient voice portal’ on 1 March 2019, across a number of digital platforms.  This was to improve their patient engagement and in response to the low response rate from the GP patient survey for that area.

It was reported that the name for Primary Care Home had been changed to Community Partnerships following the Committee’s previous comments about the appropriateness of the name.

In response to Members’ questions, it was reported that:

·         Nationally, the recruitment of GPs was being considered from beyond the EU due to Brexit.

·         Social media was used to promote the patient survey.  Suggestions on how to further promote the survey were welcomed.

·         The initiatives listed in paragraph 3.1.3 of the report were part of a national programme of support and practices chose the initiatives that were relevant to them.

The Chair stated that members of her Patient Participation Group had gone into the practice to encourage patients to complete the GP patient survey which had resulted in a better response rate.

A Member stated that the effectiveness of Patient Participation Groups varied and questioned what could be done to make them work better.  In response it was reported that a regular forum was held to share good practice and learning and that there were Patient Engagement Leads within the Bradford City CCG area and part of their role was to help facilitate the Patient Participation Groups.  It was reported that Patient Engagement Leads had been received well, practices had seen an increase in patient engagement and discussions had been undertaken about extending this role out across other CCG areas.

In response to a Member’s question about the reality of the take up of the extended access (as outlined in paragraph 3.1.4 of the report)  it was stated that, whilst statistics were not available at the meeting, there had been  a good uptake of appointments being utilised and usage of all three hubs was carefully monitored.  It was also reported that practices were considering how many (non-acute) appointments could be booked ahead.  Technical issues with the NHS 111 service on a national level were reported and members were informed this was being dealt with.

A Member queried whether the diversity within the workforce reflected the population it served locally.  In response, it was reported that the workforce returns did not provide this level of detail but enquiries would be made to find out if this data was available for Members.

A discussion took place about the low uptake of the cervical screening programme, particularly amongst South Asian women.  It was reported that CCGs were undertaking initiatives to raise awareness and increase the uptake. 

Resolved –

That a further report be submitted to the Committee in a year’s time to include information on the patient voice portal and community navigators and that patient engagement leads working in the Bradford City CCG area be invited to attend.

ACTION: NHS Airedale, Wharfedale and Craven CCG, NHS Bradford City CCG and NHS Bradford Districts CCG