Agenda item

BSW CCG Update

The Panel will receive an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BSW CCG) on current issues.

Minutes:

Dr Bryn Bird, B&NES Locality Clinical Chair addressed the Panel. A copy of the update can be found on their Minute Book and as an online appendix to these minutes, a summary of the update is set out below.

 

Restarting cancer services as part of the third phase of the NHS response to COVID-19

 

On 31 July, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSEI) Chief Executive Sir Simon Stevens and Chief Operating Officer Amanda Pritchard wrote to NHS organisations to outline the third phase of the response to COVID-19 and the NHS’s priorities. The focus for this phase is on restoring and recovering services and preparing for winter pressure demands.

 

Cancer services are one priority area for BSW and plans are in place to restart services through

 

  • Managing down waiting times and continuing to focus on the 62 day pathway and 31 day treatment pathway
  • Restarting cancer screening
  • Launch of communications campaign to encourage patients to see GP if they have worrying symptoms

 

Outpatient transformation development

 

Although there is work in progress across BSW to transform outpatient services, in B&NES we have developed groups in common to discuss managing patient care sooner during a patient’s journey out of the hospital setting. To help with this, we have established groups led by the CCG and B&NES Enhanced Medical Service (BEMS) looking to support services outside of the Royal United Hospital with the specialist knowledge and resources required to deliver high quality care.

 

Early attention is being given to the referral support service, advice and guidance measures to the community, and how the system can support community care in delivering work that was previously managed in hospitals. 

 

Longer term goals revolve around supporting and upskilling clinicians working out of hospital as well as outreach services where specialities are working more closely in the community.

 

There has been a focus on six specialities where there are pathways of work that can be supported to help manage the flow into the RUH and ensure earlier care for the patient. The specialities include cardiology, Ear Nose and Throat, gastroenterology, gynaecology, rheumatology and dermatology.

 

Joint meeting between Council and CCG on integrated working to improve population health and wellbeing

 

Members of the Council’s Cabinet and senior officers together with senior executives and clinical leaders of the BSW CCG, met recently to discuss a number of issues including current operational and financial challenges.

 

They also reflected on the recent merger of Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCGs and the national NHS drive to create Integrated Care Systems (ICSs) across larger population areas and Integrated Care Alliances (ICAs) at place level, i.e. co-terminus with local authority boundaries.

 

The group discussed that whilst there is no ‘right answer’ to how we should work together, there was a strong commitment to continue to work closely together and to ensure that we don’t lose the benefits that our unique style of close partnership working has brought for local people over many years.

 

The ICA development may lead us to a different model of integrated working, but it would still have at its heart the shared aim of improving the health, wellbeing and care of the population of Bath and North East Somerset.

 

Councillor Jess David asked how flu vaccinations have / are going to be delivered, particularly to people who are shielding.

 

Dr Bird replied that it has been predominantly delivered through Primary Care, Pharmacies and Schools. He said that shielded patients might be able to attend surgeries if they have been made safe, with green zones established and one-way systems in place. He added that some home visits may be possible.

 

Councillor Liz Hardman commented that it was good to see Paulton Minor Injuries Unit open again. She asked over what time period the figure of 75% decline in use had been gathered as she was worried that this may lead to further talks about closure of the site. She also asked has it been publicised that the unit has been reopened.

 

Dr Bird said that he was aware that some information had been distributed regarding the reopening. He said that at the present time he was unable to give any further information on the 75% decline in use figure. He said though that he was not aware of any discussions relating to the closure of the site. He added that the figure could be a response to a change in patient behaviour given the current circumstances.

 

Councillor Ruth Malloy asked if it was a Government or local decision to offer the flu vaccination to Year 7 pupils as well as all Primary pupils and what level of uptake had there been.

 

Dr Bird replied that the decision follows guidance from central Government with the vaccinations taking place in school. He said that he did not have current figures to hand but that traditionally there was a good take up locally.

 

Councillor Mark Roper asked whilst acknowledging the Think 111 first programme, were there any plans to increase capacity of the Accident & Emergency service at the RUH.

 

Dr Bird replied that there was no funding directly available to increase capacity. He added that there were also plans to upskill staff and to develop community base services for non-urgent cases.

 

The Chairman thanked Dr Bird for his update on behalf of the Panel.