There were no declarations of pecuniary interests

There were no apologies for absence

A panel member asked for the following sentence to be made clearer;  “ A panel member asked if there will be a privatisation of this service?”

It shall be amended to read:

A panel member said that contracts have been awarded to private sector contractors in the past would that be the case for the Nelson Hospital?

A panel member queried if the Director of Community and Housing had actually said:

“Another issue is that there is not clear evidence that prevention actually prevents expenditure on statutory services.”

The scrutiny officer explained that the Director has the opportunity to comment on the minutes for accuracy before they were published. However clarification would be sought and the Panel informed if the Director wished to make a change.

A panel said that the minutes should also include that the Director of Planning said that the successful bidder for the Nelson project would also have to “adhere to procurement guidelines.”

A panel member pointed out that Adam Doyle Director of Planning and Commissioning attended the meeting but it is not listed in those present.

The response from the Merton Clinical Commissioning Group ( MCCG) on questions raised at the last meeting were circulated.

The Chair said the question on the details of the election of the MCCG chair had not been answered therefore we need to ask the MCCG again.

There were no matters arising from the minutes

The Healthwatch Merton Manager gave an overview of the report and said that the report made some recommendations about how to implement changes to GP services locally. The report has been sent to the Merton Clinical Commissioning Group and they are awaiting a response.

Panel members asked a number of questions including; why can’t people walk directly into surgeries to make an appointment?  What are the issues around   customer service in GP Surgeries?

The Healthwatch Merton Manager reported that people have different preferences in relation to booking a GP appointment so we need flexibility.  Some GP surgeries provide excellent customer services but others do not and we need consistency across all practices.

The Cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health asked if the report considered collaboration amongst GP practices to provide extended opening hours.

The Healthwatch Merton Manager said there have been talks about this being implemented but it needs to be explored further.

A panel member asked if pharmacies opening times can be synchronised with the opening extended hours in doctor’s surgeries.

The Healthwatch Merton Manager said this it is a sensible suggestion and  we could ask the Merton Clinical Commissioning Group to consider it.

A  Panel member referred to Page 23 of the agenda where the Healthwatch report referred to the “difficulty in making appointments days in advance” and Page 46 of the agenda where the NHS England report says “37% of patients were able to receive an appointment on the same day” The Healthwatch Merton Manager was asked his views on the credibility of the NHS England data?

The Merton Healthwatch Manager said the NHS England analysis was based on appointments made on the same day, which may be a snap shot of experiences. Although overall GP appointments are a massive issue for people.

A panel member asked if there is a geographical pattern in the levels of service across the borough.

The Merton Healthwatch Manager said there seem to be more issues in the East of the borough however we also need to look at this in relation to population density per number of GP Practices.

The Chair asked the Director of Primary Care at NHS England if he wished to comment on the discussion about the Healthwatch Merton Report.

The Director said the recommendations in the Healthwatch Merton report should be directed to NHS England as the commissioners of GP and pharmaceutical services. In terms of access and collaboration amongst GP surgeries, a new pilot  scheme, enabling people to access GP Surgery between 8am to 8pm is about to be launched. 

It is being piloted in twenty areas across the country including Southwark. Although not everyone will be able to see their own GP, the scheme will enable GP’s to have access patient’s data, therefore ensuring a high quality service. There will be opportunities to provide a similar service in Merton with GP practices working in a federation.

RESOLVED

The Panel asked NHS England to respond to the report and recommendations from Healthwatch Merton  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

The Director of Primary Care introduced the report.

The Chair had accepted three requests from non panel members to share their views on the proposals for the closure of the Vineyard Hill Surgery in Wimbledon Park.

Ian Simpson, representative of Wimbledon Park residents Association

The community considered this issue back in 2012  when the Primary Care Trust issued the Carhill Funding Formula which would have had a severe impact on Vineyard Hill Surgery. However the issue seemed to disappear and the community felt that the Practice would continue.  There is concern about the short notice  period from the GP’s given that it takes 6-9 months to procure new surgery. The Consultation letter  highlights that NHS England clearly does not want to go down the procurement route, which is the most expensive option. NHS England has said the GP Surgery  is ‘not fit for purpose’, this needs explanation given that the venue is in use.  There has been some interest to purchase the venue and put another surgery there. NHS England should have a discussion about procurement with those doctors who are interested in setting up a practice.

PareshModesia Local pharmacist in Wimbledon Park

Mr Modesia said he had visited the local surgeries that Vineyard Hill patients will be dispersed to and a number of issues have emerged;  some of the  distances cited by NHS England are  wrong, three surgeries  are a mile away which is a long distance to walk.  There are also a number of problems with each of the six surgeries;

Princes Road is planned for re-location and is seeking permission from the council to convert the venue into flats and the patients have not been told about this plan

Elborough Street Surgery is in a terraced residential area, they have said they can take an additional 2000 patients which is doubtful.

Southfields Group practice said they are waiting for funding for additional staff but they are currently at full capacity.

Alexander Road surgery said they have capacity but cannot confirm the numbers.

Wimbledon village surgery is a mile away and difficult to get to.

Francis Grove is closing  and patients will be absorbed into other local surgeries.

Mr Modesia put a number of questions to NHS England; what financial support will be given to surgeries  who will take on additional patients? What is the impact upon local pharmacies?  Has the contract variation been sorted out and what is the shortfall on prices?

Councillor Oonagh Moulton, Ward Councillor Wimbledon Park

This is the only surgery in Wimbledon Park Ward; with a huge number of young families as well as older people. In regards to the letters giving notice of the retirement of the doctors and options of dispersal or procurement of the surgery,  there was only 24 hours notice of the first consultation meeting with patients. There also seemed to be a lack of basic preparation by NHS England. The list of nearby surgeries included with the letter to patients contained Princes Road yet that surgery is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Director of Primary Care gave an overview of the report, NHS England provide financial  incentives to encourage GP practice to set up patient participation groups as a way to help improve local services.

Also NHS England has invested in new technology to improve access, 80% of GP Practices can now provide on-line access to GP’s to enable them to book appointments this will increase to all surgeries from next year.

A panel member asked if it is easy to change GP, The Director of Primary Care reported that people can change should they wish to and NHS Choices provides a wealth of information on location of GP surgeries.

A panel member asked if local surveys are the only way NHS England know about GP waiting times? The Director for Primary Care said they are able to draw upon a wealth of information

Noted by the Panel