Decision details

The Committee welcomed Tessa Garvan, Assistant Head of Primary Care & Pharmacy North East and Central London at NHS England for the item. 

In relation to Dr Thwe’s practice, Ms Garvan confirmed that GP contracts only expired when there were no partners remaining.  She advised the Committee that in the case of Dr Thwe’s practice, there was still a partner in-situ so the GMS contract would continue.  She clarified that NHS England were not requiring Dr Thwe to relocate her practice.  The current practice accommodation was below the Care Quality Commission (CQC) minimum standard meaning that the current accommodation would need to be improved or the practice would need to relocate.  If the practice were to relocate, it could move to any location and the move would be supported by NHS England.  She added that there had been no pressure from NHS England for Dr Thwe to move to GP space at FMH.

Referring to the relocation of practices onto the FMH site, Ms Garvan advised the Committee that the moves had taken longer than anticipated due to legal barriers, but were expected to be completed in April or May.  It was noted that project managers had now been appointed to progress the moves.  Ms Garvan undertook to report back to the Committee with more substantive information as and when it became available. 

In relation to the impact on West Finchley of dispersing the patient lists of The Finchley Practice (110 – 112 Ballards Lane) and Dr Thwe’s practice (209 Ballards Lane), Ms Garvan reported that the patient list of The Finchley Practice had been dispersed at the end of January 2014.  Following consideration of patient opinions, NHS England had been unable to find an ideal solution, but had given patients a choice of practices. It was confirmed that there was no intention to disperse the patient list at Dr Thwe’s practice. 

A Member commented that it was disappointing it had taken so long to get GP practices onto the FMH site. It was suggested that there should have been a coordinated plan to get them on site when the hospital opened. 

Councillor Cooke advised the Committee that Dr Thwe had attended his Ward Surgery last year and had advised him that she was under notice from NHS England and her contract would be terminated.  Ms Garvan reported that NHS England had not served Dr Thwe with any notices.  It was agreed that if correspondence between Dr Thwe and Councillor Cooke could be located, that it be circulated to the Committee for information. 

The Committee commented that it was difficult to get an overview of GP services in the borough, particularly premises issues, the general adequacy of services to serve the population and the impact of GP services on accident & emergency services.  Ms Garvan advised the Committee that the Barnet Primary Care Trust had undertaken a premises condition review in 2012 which had included compliance with CQC standards.  It was added that the CQC regularly reviewed premises standards and highlighted areas on non-compliance.  It was expected that the situation with Dr Thwe’s premises would be replicated elsewhere in Barnet.  It was reported that a Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Partnership Board (which had representation from the Clinical Commissioning Groups, NHS Property Services and Community Health Partnerships) had been established to plan for premises availability in the three boroughs.  It was noted that this was an important part of delivering the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Clinical Strategy which required investment in GP services to reduce hospital admissions.  A Member suggested that consideration should be given to included patient views in the development of plans (e.g. Healthwatch and Patient Participation Groups). 

Members of the Committee reiterated concerns relating to the lack of a bus service within or on to the FMH site.  It was highlighted that when new GP services came on site, demand was expected to increase.

RESOLVED that:

1.         The update on GP services at Finchley Memorial Hospital and in West Finchley as set out in the report and above be noted.

2.         NHS England be requested to circulate the terms of reference of the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Partnership Board which were considering estates matters in the three boroughs.

3.         NHS England be requested to confirm the total number of patients and GPs transferring to Finchley Memorial Hospital from Cornwall House Surgery and Squires Lane Medical Practice.

4.         The Committee add an item to the future work programme on GP service planning to review NHS England’s strategic plans for GP provision and linkages to the Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Clinical Strategy.