Agenda item

The Chairman invited Dr. Ahmer Farooqi, GP Board Member of Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group and Theresa Callum, Head of Programmes - Demand Management, Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), to the table. 

Ms. Callum introduced the report and noted that when the Committee had last received a report in December 2015, the CCG were planning to decommission the existing service with the intention of bringing all services under one umbrella and going to procurement from one provider.  The Committee noted that this procurement process had resulted in the appointment of a new provider, Concordia Health.  Ms. Callum informed the Committee that mobilisation meetings have been set up with Concordia Health in order to ensure that the service is ready to begin operation on 1 October 2016. 

A Member noted that the proposed new model would see services provided side by side at two or three locations and asked where the locations were.  Ms. Callum informed the Committee that services would be provided at Finchley Memorial Hospital and Edgware Community Hospital.  The Committee noted that the option of the third site had been left open as the CCG wanted to see where patients would be coming from. 

Ms. Callum informed the Committee that to make the service viable, the CCG has, so far, felt that there needed to be a maximum of three sites. However, the option of having a fourth site is being maintained in case it proves necessary. 

A Member questioned why Concordia Health had won the contract.  Dr. Farooqi informed the Committee that all bidders had scored highly, but Concordia Health had achieved the highest score.  Although Concordia health were new providers in Barnet, they have a track record of already providing ENT services in Haringey.  Dr. Farooqi also noted that Concordia Health had demonstrated very good attention to detail in terms of the patient pathway, as well as demonstrating good IT processes.  The Committee noted that bidding for a contract was an open process and that the bidder with the highest score would win the contract.

A Member questioned how the contract would be monitored to ensure that the service is provided to the expected standard.  Dr. Farooqi informed the Committee that Barnet CCG had been in contact with the neighbouring CCG who already commission Concordia Health.  Ms. Callum noted that the CCG has already started a series of fortnightly mobilisation meetings with the provider to ensure that the service is ready for October and informed the Committee that as with any other contract, it would be monitored very closely at the start to ensure it is being delivered to the required standard.  The Committee noted that the CCG would also obtain feedback from patients and referring GPs. 

The Chairman asked how many ENT sites in Haringey were run by Concordia Health.  Dr. Farooqi undertook to provide this information to the Committee. 

Responding to a question from the Chairman, Dr. Farooqi informed the Committee that the length of the Barnet contract was three years plus with an option to extend to five, although either side could give six months’ notice. 

The Vice Chairman asked if there would be any savings as a result of the new service.  Ms. Callum informed the Committee that it was hard to predict any savings because demand for the service increases each year.

A Member questioned if it would be possible to reduce the number of appointments a patient would need to attend to one single visit.  Ms. Callum informed the Committee that the contract has the requirement to see 95% of patients within one visit and that if this is not achieved, the provider must provide clinical evidence to explain why not.

Responding to a question from a Member, Dr. Farooqi informed the Committee that nose and throat treatment tends to be dealt with in one go in a community setting, but if this is not possible, then the patient would be referred into a hospital setting. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Ms. Callum informed the Committee that the CCG would provide a briefing on progress six months into the live contract (April 2017)  The Chairman suggested that when the Committee have received the briefing, they can decide if they require a further report. 

RESOLVED that:

1.    The Committee requests to be provided with the number of ENT sites run by Concordia Health in Haringey.

2.    The Committee requests to be provided with an update on service delivery six months from the go live date, ie in April 2017.

3.    That the Committees notes the report.