Agenda item

Primary Care Networks (NHS CCG) and Integrated Area Based Working

Minutes:

The Panel was provided with a presentation from the Director of Strategy and Delivery and Head of Strategy and Delivery of Community Services (Doncaster NHS CCG) in conjunction with the Project Lead, Strategic Policy Unit (DMBC) on the following areas;

 

           Primary Care Networks (PCNs)

           Investment 19/20

           New Services

           Commissioning Intentions

           2020/21 onwards

           PCNs and Neighbourhoods are the footprints

           Integrated

           Locality Working Prototypes

           New Practice Model – built on relationships and the assets of people and communities

           Neighbourhood Frailty – Thorne

           Elizabeth’s Story – Case Study

           What have we got? A new model of preventative, local partnership working.

           Timescales, Phasing and Scaling – outline view

 

There was a discussion held and the following issues were raised;

 

Model - A Member welcomed the principles of the model and suggested that they could be delivered through effective joint working and improvements being undertaken. 

 

It was acknowledged that these principles had been around for some time.  It was acknowledged that it was the way the system had been created that had made achieving those principles more difficult.  It was noted how in the past, those services that had been contracted and commissioned had been isolated and therefore prevented cross boundary working.

 

Members were assured that this new way of working was key in addressing increasing populations and therefore growing demands through a multi-discipline approach.

 

It was further explained that adequate systems with schools and health depended upon having the ability to spot issues at a very early stage, develop better connections and provide more effective joined up support. 

 

Concerns were raised around whether current levels of funding were adequate to meet increased needs (as a result of higher levels of population).  It was explained that it was about ensuring that the person was at the right place at the right time although it was acknowledged that there was an issue in some places with access to social care. 

 

Delivery of New Services - It was questioned whether delivering new services such as the Structured Medication Review and Medicines Optimisation (to be delivered in full 20/21) had realistic timescales.  Members were informed that when the specification was first published, consultation with GPs and Primary Care Networks (PCNs) were in their infancy and it was now felt that on reflection those timescales were too ambitious. It was hoped that there would be further clarification around those timescales further down the line.

 

Resources - In terms of providing sufficient GP resources, the Panel was informed that fellow practices were considering how those resources could be shared.  It was noted that this was what Primary Care Networks were about, for example, when expertise could be pooled across practices.  It was recognised that this may result in additional travel for certain individuals and therefore further consideration maybe needed.  It was continued that additional work was being undertaken in extended GP access encouraging further take-up.  It was added that a significant piece of communication and engagement had recently been undertaken.

 

Members were informed that the core Multi-Discipline Teams included therapy, a Physical Health Nurse, pharmacy, community pharmacy, Social Worker and a Health and Wellbeing Officer. It was continued that the wider team consisted of a GP to GP practice, Older People’s Mental Health, speech and language and Parkinson’s nurses.  It was recognised that the system needed to be changed to be able to work in a different way.

 

It was concluded that services had attempted to work in this way for some time.  It was recognised that there needed to be a change of mind-set and culture that would develop better links through a neighbourhood based. 

 

Members welcomed the update and expressed their wish that this model has future success.

 

RESOLVED to note the report

Supporting documents: