Agenda item

The Commissioning Manager from East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Ben Cox, gave a presentation on the winter planning arrangements for the Frimley Health and Care system including details of system planning, implementation arrangements, governance and resilience arrangements for 2018/19.

The objective was to ensure the system was resilient through the winter period and could provide safe, effective and sustainable care for local people.  An Urgent & Emergency Care Delivery Plan 2018/19 was in place and there were well established operational procedures between partners to increase resilience by managing discharges, capacity and flow to seek to meet the increased demands during this period.  Specific actions included extended GP access from December, the promotion of NHS 111 online from January and additional staffing and capacity where appropriate.  From February 2019 an additional 39 beds would be made available at Wexham Park Hospital in the new accident and emergency block.  The plans sought to learn from local experiences in previous years and good practice from elsewhere.  Linkages were made to national campaigns and communication activity such as ‘stay well this winter’.

(Councillor Qaseem joined the meeting)

Members raised a number of issues which are summarised as follows:

·  Adverse weather – there was provision this year to receive forecasts from the Met Office to help predict and plan for bad weather as far as possible.  Ensuring staff could get in to work during poor weather was a major issue and 4x4 vehicles and other measures were in place to mitigate this risk.

·  GP access and capacity – there was increased primary care streaming at Wexham Park Hospital and there was 24 hour, 7 day a week provision at the GP Unit.  The 39 new beds at A&E would be available from February and it wouldn’t be possible to make them available earlier.

·  Information and communication – Members emphasised the importance of a communications plan to make residents aware where best and when to access the most appropriate services, particularly extended hours for GPs.  It was suggested that Healthwatch could assist with the dissemination of leaflets and posters.

·  Flu jab – there was a good level of uptake from the flu jab this year, despite some issues with supplies.  A high proportion of the healthcare workforce had received the jab and Members were encouraged to take up the offer.

The Panel was assured that winter planning was stronger this year and had been based on what had worked in previous years.  However, it was expected that there would be pressures on the system due to the very high levels of demand but plans were in place to resolve issues as soon as possible.  An escalation process was in place with the Integrated Care System Board if required.

Resolved –  That the update on winter planning arrangements for the Frimley Health and Care system be noted.