Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Dr Jim O’Donnell, (Locality Clinical Lead for Slough, NHS East Berkshire Clinical Commissioning Group), Dr Asif Ali (Clinical Director – Slough Primary Care Networks (PCN)) and Dr Raj Bhargava (Clinical Director – Central Slough PCN) to the meeting.

Dr O’Donnell introduced a report that detailed the vision and progress made to develop effective PCNs in Slough.  The report was supplemented by a presentation to the Panel.

(At this point in the meeting Councillor Mohammad declared that she worked at a General Practice Medical Centre.  She remained in the Council Chamber throughout the discussion on the item)

During the presentation, the following issues were highlighted:

·  PCNs formed a key building block of the NHS Long Term Plan.  Bringing general practices (GP) together to work at scale was a policy priority, for a range of reasons including improving the ability of practices to recruit and retain staff; to manage financial and estate pressures; to provide a wider range of services to patients and to more easily integrate with the wider health and care system.

·  The ambition for PCNs would be achieved through the delivery of the following: stabilised general practice; helping to solve the capacity gap and improving the skills mix by growing the wider workforce; and dissolving the divide between primary and community care.

·  Since 1 July 2019, all GP practices in Slough had come together in three geographical networks to cover the population. 

·  It was noted that health outcomes were affected by a wide range of factors, including: health behaviours, socioeconomic factors, clinical care and built environment.

·  Coronary Heart Disease admissions were directly related to income deprivation.  Of the 21 wards in the worst quintile, 13 were in Slough.  The ward with the highest Standardised Admission Ratio (SAR) was Chalvey; the ward with the lowest SAR was Ascot and Cheapside.  Deaths from circulatory disease were also directly proportional to the percentage of income deprivation.

·  PCNs were being supported with a programme of development with national and local residents; the initial step was for the PCN to work with partners in a self-assessment process.  The Health and Social Care Partnership Forum would enable the development of aligned plans, identifying opportunities to work together and enable the population to benefit from improved health outcomes.

The Chair then invited Members to comment and ask questions.

Members had a wide-ranging discussion, during which the following points were raised:

·  Further information was requested about how PCNs would reduce childhood asthma and admissions into residential care homes.  In response, it was explained that PCNs would consider the pertinent health issues affecting all Slough residents and how services could be most effectively delivered.  Consideration would be given to how PCNs could engage with ‘hard to reach’ residents.

·  A Member highlighted the difficulty some residents faced accessing GP surgeries due to the distance they had to travel to reach their nearest practice.  It was explained that consideration would be given to an estates plan and the need to ensure the location and quality of surgery premises were appropriate. 

·  A Member noted that the GP surgery on Wexham Road was located in a residential house and due to guidelines it may have to close.  Concern was raised that GP surgeries closing were not being replaced.  The Panel was advised that PCNs would discuss the locations and quality of GP premises. 

·  It was suggested that GP surgeries could promote the use of Green Gyms in waiting rooms, particularly to those residents unable to afford the cost of a gym membership.  In response, the Panel was advised that the local authority provided a range of opportunities for residents to engage in activities, including, maintaining recreational parks and Manor Park Community Centre. 

·  Concern was raised regarding GP waiting times and the availability of appointments.  The Panel was provided with some background information about how GPs had historically been funded and how the regime had resulted in a reduced number of GP practices.  It was explained that GPs were now receiving more funding, but it would take some time for the number of practices to increase.

On behalf of the Panel, the Chair thanked Dr O’Donnell, Dr Ali and
Dr Bhargava for attending the meeting.

Resolved – That the report be noted.