Agenda item

The Chairman invited Regina Shakespeare, the Interim Chief Operating Officer at Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr. Sarkar, Barndoc Medical Director, and Alan Levett, Chief Operating Officer at Barndoc, to the table to introduce the report. 

The Committee noted that the report stated that Barnet CCG had reconsidered the case for change regarding the walk-in service and had decided not to proceed with closing it at this time.

A Member commented that the walk-in centre was very important and that the Cricklewood was an area with insufficient GPs.  The Member commented that the walk-in centre was not well signposted and that there were a number of site issues.

Responding to a question from a Member, Ms. Shakespeare advised the Committee that the original proposition was about consultation and engagement and included the current end date of the contract, not a provision for closure.

The Committee noted that the contract had been extended from 30 September until 31 December 2015. 

The Committee were advised that the walk-in centre would continue to accept patients from within and outside Barnet.  However, Barnet CCG would now receive money for each registered patient, regardless of where they live. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Dr. Sarkar advised the Committee that a very broad demographic of patients attended the walk-in centre, ranging from young to elderly.  The Committee noted that some attendees have said that they have attended because they were not able to book an appointment at their registered GP clinic.  The Committee were informed that part one of the key performance indicators at the Centre was to ask attendees if they were registered. 

Members noted that convenience played a large part in the attendance of some people. For example, some patients attended because the centre provided services that they could not access in their normal GP practice, such as ear syringing. 

The Chairman questioned what BarnDoc were currently charging the CCG to run the Walk In centre at Cricklewood. The Committee noted that the contract set a cost of £35 per attendance for any patient who walks into the Centre, excluding patients already registered. 

The Committee noted that the contract requires a Doctor to be on site from 8 am until 8 pm, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

The Vice-Chairman asked if the CCG felt it could be counterproductive to encourage people to use walk in centres rather than register with their own GP.  Ms. Shakespeare advised the Committee that clinicians believed in “excellent access to excellent primary care” and that this was a key consideration as to what should be commissioned for patients.  Ms. Shakespeare noted the importance of both value for money and wellbeing and commented that many patients prioritise convenience.  

The Committee noted that Barnet CCG had applied to obtain access to the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund but were unsuccessful, despite a strong bid. 

Responding to a question from a Member, Dr. Sarkar advised the Committee that the walk-in centre was required to offer their service to any unregistered patients, even if they resided outside of the Borough. 

A Member commented that the walk-in centre in Cricklewood was a long distance from the nearest A&E Department and questioned how the service could encourage higher numbers of people to register at the practice.  Dr Sarkar informed the Committee that registration had picked up quite considerably in last few months.

The Committee requested to be provided with a further update report from the Committee at their meeting in December 2015.

RESOLVED that:

1.     The Committee note the report

2.     The Committee request to be provided with a further report from Barnet Clinical Commissioning Group at their meeting in December 2015.