The report of the Bradford Districts and Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Groups (Document “Z”) explains the future of primary care service provision from Hillside Bridge Health Centre.

Recommended –

That the Committee:

(1)       Receives the update report which details the next steps around the future of the general medical services and ‘enhanced primary care’ elements of the Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) Contract.

(2)       Notes the engagement and consultation processes which will support the future commissioning decisions regarding these services.

(Vicki Wallace – 01274 237524)

The Deputy Director, Primary Care, presented Document “Z” which provided information on the future of primary care service provision from Hillside Bridge Health Centre.  Members were informed that the Alternative Provider Medical Services (APMS) contract was due to expire on 31 March and negotiations were ongoing for a further extension of this contract.  Hillside Bridge Medical Centre had opened in 2008 and contained two practices and an enhanced primary care centre.  In 2008 the enhanced primary care (EPC) service had been open between 8am and 8pm.  A consultation had taken place and the operating hours had changed to 2pm to 8pm for patients outside Bradford and from 6pm to 8pm if they were registered in Bradford.  Only 20 appointments were available per day.  The Deputy Director, Primary Care, reported that in 2013 the Committee had been involved in discussions regarding the future of the Centre.  It was noted that when the service had originally been commissioned it had been aimed at different services and the two medical centres were the main users of the EPC service.  Further work had been undertaken and an emergency care strategy had been developed.  Part of the APMS contract related to the GP service and this would be re-tendered.  The Deputy Director, Primary Care explained that the EPC would be commissioned differently and from Spring 2017 the service would operate from 12 noon to midnight.  The next step would be the procurement of the GP services contract then the provision of the EPC service element.

Members made the following comments:

·         Would the process start in June 2017?

·         Why had a survey not been undertaken to find out why the service was not being used?

·         Why had the information gathered not been used to turn the service around?

·         It was confusing and complicated for patients to have three services together.

·         Would the GP services open until 8pm instead?

·         Hillside Bridge Health Centre provided a very helpful and good service.

·         Had there been a drop in the service?  Why did people queue and why were only 20 seen?

·         Were there any plans to educate or help patients?

·         How was the change being promoted?

In response Members were informed that:

·         A three month process would have to be undertaken and the timelines would be subject to Local Care Direct.

·         A consultation had been undertaken and people had not had a positive experience.

·         Bevan Healthcare provided an excellent service for hard to reach people.

·         After 6pm patients could ring the Extended Primary Care Access, though this was not overly advertised or ideal and was only meeting a small minority of needs.

·         There would be a GP service open until 8pm but it would not be located at GP Centres.

·         There were only a small number of people using the service and an equitable service was not being provided for the people of Bradford.

·         It was not a ‘walk in’ service, it was appointment based and people would be seen anytime of day.

·         The NHS needed to improve its communication strategy and was working with patient groups.

·         Discussions with service users and the wider Bradford population were being undertaken.

Resolved –

That a report on the delivery of ‘enhanced primary care’ that includes details of the consultation process undertaken with service users be submitted to the Committee in 12 months.

Action: Head of Service Improvement, Bradford Districts and Bradford City Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)