Decision details

At their meeting on 6 July 2015, the Committee received a report from Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group which outlined options for the continuation of services at Cricklewood GP Health Centre.

The Committee resolved to request a further report from the Clinical Commissioning Group at their meeting on 7 December 2015.

The Chairman introduced the report and noted that the Committee had received a number of updates on this item, most recently, at their meeting on 6 July 2015. 

The Chairman invited William Redlin, Director of Operations and Delivery, Barnet CCG, to the table.

Mr Redlin informed the Committee that Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) indicated in February 2015 that they wished to give notice to terminate the services at the Cricklewood Walk-in Centre.  Mr Redlin noted that since then, the CCG had held a number of discussions and had now changed its view and decided to extend the contract until 31 March 2017.  The Committee also noted that NHS England (NHSE) will extend its contract for GP services.  Mr Redlin advised the Committee that the CCG would now complete their work in reviewing primary care and urgent care in Barnet. 

The Chairman asked Mr Redlin if the CCG would be prepared to come back in December 2016 to update the Committee on the status of the matter.  Mr. Redlin advised that the CCG would be happy to attend.

A Member welcomed the fact that the contract had been extended but expressed concern over continuous extensions.  The Member questioned that if it was agreed that a service was valued, how would commissioners be able to provide security through contracts and funding.  Mr Redlin informed the Committee that the CCG couldn’t pre-empt a future decision and that a 12 month extension was required to allow the necessary time to conclude a review. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Mr Redlin informed the Committee that if it was considered appropriate to make the service provided at the Cricklewood Walk in Centre more secure, then a contract would be drafted.  The Committee noted that contracts for primary care tend to be multi-year in order to give stability. 

A Member questioned what had changed in the past six months that meant that the CCG had changed its mind and decided to extend the contract.  Mr Redlin informed the Committee that it had become clear over the past 12 months that there had been a growing demand for GP and primary care services.  Mr Redlin noted the need to improve access to primary care and commented that the evidence suggested that a significant number of patients are attending the Cricklewood Walk in Centre because they are unable to secure an appointment with their registered GP.  Mr Redlin also noted that, with the current high levels of demand in A&E, the CCG was cautious about taking any action that might exacerbate the situation.  The Member noted that these points could have been considered six months ago.

The Chairman commented that she had been informed that although there is a transient population moving through the Cricklewood area, more people are registering with GPs.  The Chairman also expressed concern that people are coming from other Boroughs to use the service and that Barnet CCG is having to pick up the bill for their care.  Mr Redlin informed the Committee that about 60% of the Walk in Centre patients are not from Barnet.  Mr Redlin also noted that the CCG was working to resolve the financial issues by recovering money from neighbouring CCGs whose patients were attending the walk in centre. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Mr Redlin informed the Committee that the CCG intended to publish their primary care strategy by May 2016 and that they expected to be in a position to confirm future arrangements by late 2016.

RESOLVED that:-

1.    The Committee notes the report.

2.    The Committee requests to receive an update report from Barnet CCG at their meeting in December 2016.