Agenda item

The Panel received a report from representatives from Slough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on the proposed move of the GP Out of Hours Service from the Herschel Medical Centre to Wexham Park Hospital.

The service operated between 6.30pm to 8am on weekdays and from 6.30pm on Friday to 8am on Monday as well as Bank Holidays.  The Panel were informed that the number of patients supported by the service had reduced since the introduction of NHS 111 and this trend was likely to continue following the opening of the new Urgent Care Centre in Bracknell.  The potential benefits of the move included improved patient experience, integration of urgent care services and ensuring A&E patients saw the most appropriate clinician for their circumstances.  A public consultation exercise indicated that 64% of respondents supported the proposals.

Members asked a number of questions about the proposal including whether there was sufficient capacity to deal with patients being redirected from A&E to Out of Hours given the co-location on the Wexham Park site.  The CCG reassured the Panel that sufficient provision was in place to meet the expected outcomes for the service.  A member of the Panel queried whether the new service would put further pressure on car parking at the site, and it was responded that

Following a discussion about the consultation, which had generated a relatively low response to questionnaires, Members suggested a number of ways to strengthen the process and capture feedback on the service following relocation.  The CCG confirmed that there would be continuous engagement with service users.

Resolved –

(a)  That the Panel the proposed move of GP Out of Hours services from Herschel Medical Centre to Wexham Park Hospital be endorsed.

(b)  That a progress report be considered at a future meeting setting out the impacts of the move and patient feedback