Agenda item

GP Primary Care Provision at Finchley Memorial Hospital Update Paper (AGENDA ITEM 13)

Minutes:

The Chairman invited the following to the table:

 

·         Ms Kay Matthews - Chief Operating Officer, Barnet CCG

·         Dr Debbie Frost – Chairman, Barnet CCG

 

Dr Frost provided a brief update on the situation surrounding the flu vaccinations. Dr Frost said that some patients in the over 65 age group had reported finding it difficult to get flu vaccines this winter. She explained that it was the first year that NHS England had batched the distribution of the flu vaccine, but all vaccines would be available in GP surgeries and pharmacies by the end of November. However, the flu was not expected until December, allowing time for all to be immunised. Dr Frost said in previous years people had been immunised earlier and the communication had not been as successful this year surrounding phasing. All 8.3 million doses had now been delivered around the country, with only 4 million given last year. She assured the Committee that there were plenty of vaccines available, so there was no health risk.

 

Ms Matthews introduced the update on the relocation of a GP practice to Finchley Memorial Hospital (FMH). She said that stage one of the application process had now been completed. Three applications had been received and it had been a competitive process with a successful applicant being identified. Ms Matthews said the CCG was now moving to stage two of the process which would involve a consultation for 12 weeks and completion of the CCG’s other statutory responsibilities. Ms Matthews said that the winning application comprises of three Practices who have jointly applied to work together as a Super Practice which will make them more resilient and is in line with the vision outlined in the GP forward view; with only one of the practices relocating to FMH. Ms Matthews said the Super Practice model made it easier to attract a workforce who could work across all three Practices and provided a basis for more efficient back office functions.

 

Ms Matthews said the that was successful application outlined an innovative vision for how General Practice could be provided from FMH. The Practice would be open seven days a week and the increased footfall this would provide would be beneficial for the café, which was a valued resource on this site.

The Committee expressed concerns that transport to Finchley Memorial was difficult and wanted to know if discussions had taken place around improving the transport networks. Ms Matthews said it would be better to wait to see the outcome of the public consultation and governance processes associated with this. If the decision is made to relocate a GP practice to FMH as at this point, then the CCG would be in a better position to more accurately indicate the footfall using the building and present this data to TfL. She said if the process moves to this stage, her recommendation was that the three local Ward Councillors, Chairman of HOSC, local MP and Assembly Member should collaboratively meet with TfL to explore if the bus route to FMH can be improved. The Committee were pleased that the current management team had progressed the plans and that positive proposals around conversations with TfL were being put forward. They were also excited by the prospect of a Practice who would be part of a Super Practice potentially relocating to FMH. 

 

The Committee enquired whether the Practice would see patients from the Finchley Memorial Walk In Centre. Ms Matthews explained this question was hypothetical at the moment because the final decision was subject to the public consultation and completion of the CCG’s other statutory duties. However, hypothetically, patients who attended the Walk In Centre who were not registered with a GP Practice could register with the FMH GP Practice or any other GP Practice they wishes to register with as long as the patient resided within their catchment area.

 

The Committee asked how the public consultation would be carried out. Ms Matthews explained that all patients in the Practice would be written to explaining the proposal and asking for their views. She said there was specific guidance on how consultation processes were required to be undertaken and that this would be followed.

 

The Chairman asked when Ms Matthews would be able to return to the Committee to provide an update. Ms Matthews said the CCG would be using the full 12 week consultation period which would lead up to the end of March. It was therefore agreed that Ms Matthews would return to the May meeting to update the HOSC on the outcome of this process.

 

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report.

 

 

Supporting documents: