Agenda item

The Chair invited Cllr Stock to provide an update on the Primary Care (GP) Access Task and Finish Group. Cllr Stock thanked the Scrutiny Officer for the written summary provided to her including notes from several GP Practice site visits.  She invited Cllrs Sargeant and Barnes, Members of the Group, to contribute.

Cllr Stock noted that the ICB is aware of the difficulties residents are experiencing in accessing GPs and are introducing initiatives that will improve access in the future. Evidence the group has gathered has shown that the public needs to be made more aware that there is a much larger demand now on GPs and appointments than historically and given that the population is getting older and many have complex medical conditions this is adding to the pressure on Primary Care. In addition GPs are getting older and many are retiring early, partly due to the heavy workload.

One of the Group’s recommendations will be that the ICB and council communicate with patients on the above, and inform them that there are Allied Health Professionals available, where it is not essential that they see a GP, such as musculoskeletal practitioners, nurse consultants and social prescribers who can offer longer appointments and often more appropriate treatment. Cllr Stock added that the Group wants to learn from best practice and also to improve communication on modern Primary Care and the best way for residents to access it, which in current situation and into the future will not include as many face-to-face GP appointments. One of the most frustrating issues for residents is the phone system but this should be improved by the ICB by early 2024 in all 48 Barnet GP Practices as part of the National Access Improvement Plan. As part of this residents need to be reminded of the enhanced appointments at the weekend and evenings and how to access these.

Another recommendation by the Group is likely to be around ensuring fair funding for Barnet compared to other NCL Boroughs. Given the large number of care homes in Barnet, far greater than many other Boroughs, the Group has discussed the potential to appoint geriatricians to help support Primary Care.

Cllr Stock noted that the Head of Governance had advised that the Group could spend a few weeks longer than the allocated time if essential to ensure that they have sufficient information to get a good result.

A Member noted that many residents mention new developments such as in Whetstone, and whether sufficient spaces to register for GPs will be available in the future given the increase in population. Cllr Stock responded that the Group is trying to learn from good practice and will mention concerns about new estates and regeneration in its report, as there are areas where people are very concerned that they cannot register with a GP. Given that some GPs are due to retire it is even harder to predict availability. Cllr Stock noted that the scope for the Group needs to be limited, but at the least it will be communicating with residents to ensure that they know how to access Primary Care.

A Member noted that Dr Nick Dattani had provided information on the number of full-time GPs but many Practices had part-time GPs, and many had almost no full-time GPs. This made continuity for patients even more difficult. The Member stated that a new development, Millbrook Park, would have no additional GPs as the advice from the health authority had been that there were sufficient in the surrounding area. It is often found that on the ground the experience for residents differed to the figures provided.

Cllr Sargeant added that the Group would not be able to revolutionise the system but could recommend practical, simple steps for improvement. She noted that the meetings had been very productive.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the Task and Finish Group update.