Agenda item

Presentation from the Clinical Commissioning Group.

Members received a presentation from Mark Scott, from the City and Hackney Clinical Commissioning Group, and Mark Cockerton, from the City and Hackney Urgent Healthcare Social Enterprise. Mr Scott reported that the Out Of Hours provision has been a key priority for the CCG since its formal inception in April 2013, and work had commenced in December 2013. Mr Cockerton reported that each call would be received and clinically assessed by a GP; 60% of callers only needed advice over the phone, 35% were seen at primary care centre, and 5% were visited at home. Members noted that significantly more effort was being put into advertise the service, and therefore more people were utilising it so far. Patients still had the option to contact NHS 111 though only a small minority took that option.

Mr Cockerton reported that Institutional CUREiosity had been employed to gather patient feedback. This was an independent external company offering a phone service for patients to give honest opinions of the Out of Hours service. Members noted that this was a different service to that used for complaints, and the Urgent Healthcare Social Enterprise were hopeful for its effectiveness. Members welcomed the involvement of the independent company, and requested the opportunity to link with the Healthwatch survey (discussed later in the meeting). Mr Cockerton advised the Sub Committee that, although the main base for the service was at Homerton hospital, arrangements had been confirmed for patients to be seen at Royal London hospital should they prefer. Mr Scott reported that regular monitoring by the CCG continued, with the City and Hackney Urgent Care Board meeting bi-monthly, and the Out of Hours service linked to Integrated Care Improvements.

The Sub Committee discussed the service and in response to Members’ questions it was reported that Practices relayed the out of hours number rather than referring the call as at certain times of the day (i.e. just before or just after opening hours) most calls were for non-urgent issues (e.g. appointment booking). With regards to financial implications the expectation was to look at urgent care as a whole in March. It was also noted that fewer home visits were now being made as the Primary Care Service was more effectively staffed.

The Chairman thanked Mr Scott and Mr Cockerton for their presentation.