Agenda item

To discuss the Berkshire West Primary Care Strategy. (15 mins)

Helen Clark, Assistant Chief Officer, Berkshire West CCGs presented the Berkshire West Primary Care Strategy.

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

·         The Primary Care Strategy set out the vision for sustainable, enhanced primary care services which would play a key role in delivering out-of-hospital care for patients as described in the CCG’s Strategic Plan.  Helen Clark explained that the Strategy was a high level document and more work would be undertaken going forward.

·         The Strategy’s development had been overseen by the Joint Primary Care Commissioning Committee on which the Health and Wellbeing Board was represented.

·         Engagement events had been held and an online consultation carried out. 

·         Key messages from the public engagement were that there was a desire for Saturday appointments but less so for Sunday appointments.  Many practices now offered Saturday appointments.  There was a willingness to access primary care in new ways such as using online appointments.  Patients wanted continuity and a named GP for long term conditions but were less concerned about seeing a named GP for urgent appointments.

·         The CCG had applied to move to a fully delegated co-commissioning arrangement with effect from 1April 2016.  In response to questions from Board members Dr Zylstra commented that should a decision be taken regarding a service which would be commissioned from a GP, that GP would be excluded from voting on the decision.  There were strict guidelines in place. 

·         Helen Clark outlined the five strategic objectives within the Strategy.

Ø  Addressing current pressures and creating a sustainable primary care sector.

Ø  Interfacing in new ways with specialisms historically provided in secondary care to manage increasingly complex chronic disease in a community setting;

Ø  Managing the health of a population by working in partnership with others to prevent ill-health.  Acting as accountable clinicians for the Over 75s and other high risk patients and co-ordinating an increasingly complex team of people working in primary, community and social care to support patients at home;

Ø  Using new approaches and technologies to improve access and patient experience, ensuring that the needs of patients requiring urgent primary care were met appropriately and appointments were available in the evenings and at weekends;

Ø  Making effective referrals to other services when patients will most benefit.

·         With regards to Strategic Objective 1, work was being carried out to address the workforce challenge.  Board members were informed of Physician Associate training offered by the University of Reading.

·         With regards to Strategic Objective 3, greater emphasis was being placed on prevention and putting patients in control of their own care planning.

·         With regards to Strategic Objective 5, it was noted that an additional 476 appointments a week had been commissioned in Wokingham.

·         The Board was informed that the CCG had developed a draft Estates Strategy.

·         Kevin Ward asked how the strategy objectives would be achieved and was informed that work around the implementation was ongoing.

·         Councillor Bray asked whether the CCG was confident that the Strategy could be delivered. Helen Clark commented that it would not be easy due to the pressure on primary care.

·         The Board discussed new ways of working in Primary Care.  A move away from a GP focused model was likely.

·         Clare Rebbeck asked whose responsibility it was to educate people regarding prevention and self-care.

·         Dr Zylstra commented that the same people often attended engagement events and that it was important to also hear the views of other parts of the community. 

·         Judith Ramsden emphasised that it was vital that there was a line of accountability to the Health and Wellbeing Board.

RESOLVED:  That the Berkshire West Primary Care Strategy be endorsed.