Agenda item

The Panel will receive an update from the B&NES, Swindon & Wiltshire Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) on current issues.

Laura Ambler, Director of Place, B&NES, BSW ICB addressed the Panel, a summary of the update is set out below and a copy of the full document will be attached as an online appendix to these minutes.

Prescriptions Ordering Direct Service

The Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Prescription Ordering Direct (POD) service, which allows some patients to arrange their repeat medication by phone or email, is set to discontinue in its current form later in the year, with the practices and care homes that use the system offering repeat prescribing instead. It is expected that POD will close on or before 30 June 2024, although this date may change as plans are formed and formal timeframes agreed.

People who regularly use POD are advised to continue ordering their medicines in the usual way through POD, and not to order any more than is needed.

Improving cancer early diagnosis and survival in BSW

The NHS is working hard to save thousands more lives each year by dramatically improving how cancer is diagnosed and treated and there is some great work going on here at BSW ICB to help improve support for people with cancer.

One of the two national ambitions for cancer is to ensure more of those people who are found to have cancer, are diagnosed and treated while it is at an earlier stage, as this means that treatment is often less complex, more successful and people live longer after treatment and with fewer long-term effects. We have been doing a lot of work across BSW to help deliver this national ambition.

Councillor Toby Simon drew attention to the new screening programme for Jewish people for BRCA mutations and hoped that this would be included in the community engagement programme.

Councillor Dave Harding asked if there was sufficient capacity within the Cancer services for receiving additional patients and asked if the Panel could be assured that standards were being achieved as he was aware that they only have to report nationally on 3 targets rather than the previous 9.

Laura Ambler replied that she would be happy to bring back a full update on this matter to the Panel and would set out as much detail as possible within that report.

Kevin Burnett referred to HIP2 and asked what of future estates needs identified in 2021/22 has the ICB adopted.

Laura Ambler replied that the care model for Shaping a Healthier Future developed into the care model now in place for the ICB which focusses on personalised care within their community. She added that they were currently working with colleagues in Primary Care on how best to utilise and plan on the future use of estates and delivery of care.

Kevin Burnett asked if an update could be provided from the ICB on the future funding for the Community Wellbeing Hub as at the present time no secure funding was in place post March 2025.

Laura Ambler replied that the Hub is a significant part of their work and that its ongoing use needs to be a sustainable model. She added that they will continue to work with the third sector regarding provision and that they recognise and welcome their work and input.

Councillor Ruth Malloy asked if Macmillan Cancer Support would have space to provide their services within the new Dyson Cancer Centre.

Laura Ambler replied that they will have a base within the centre and that it will also look to provide therapeutic services within the centre.

Councillor Liz Hardman asked if the ICB would still be putting funds in place to support the running of the Community Wellbeing Hub and would they be involved in the review of services from 3SG.

Laura Ambler replied that they were looking to build on the foundations of the good work that has been achieved, but recognise that this needs to be a sustainable model to provide certainty to all concerned. She said that the ICB were committed to continue to work with the Council and the third sector on this.

The Chair asked how any pharmacy closures would affect local GP’s. She added whether any comment could be given on the role of Physician Assistants within GP surgeries.

Laura Ambler replied that they are working with local pharmacists and Primary Care colleagues regarding funding settlements and levels of activity. She added that it is well recognised the pressure that a great number of staff are working under.

She added that she would need to reply at a later date regarding Physician Assistants as she did not have that information to hand.

The Chair referred to the Dental College in Bristol and asked that the ICB assess whether B&NES can benefit from the work that is being carried out there or whether B&NES should consider something similar.

Laura Ambler replied that the college in Bristol was now open and operational and that they would work with colleagues across Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) to look at how the area can benefit as a whole.

The Chair referred to a report that had been published on the worsening health and mortality rates of children under five in the UK and suggested the Panel consider receiving a future report on the issue.

Laura Ambler replied that it was a worrying report that contained information relating to mortality, teeth extractions and obesity amongst other issues. She said that there is a Children & Young People Programme Board within the ICB and that this was a priority issue for them and would bring an update to the Panel on their initiatives to a future meeting.

The Director of Public Health suggested that a joint paper on this subject be prepared for the Panel.

The Chair on behalf of the Panel thanked Laura Ambler for the update report.