Update by Pauline Fletcher, Primary Care Commissioning Manager (Dental) NHS England, Cumbria and the North East.
Minutes:
The Committee received a report from the Primary Care Commissioning Manager, NHS England – North, Cumbria and the North East that gave an update in respect of dentistry services at Richardson Hospital, Barnard Castle (for copy see file of Minutes).
The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer informed Members that representatives from NHS England had advised that they were unable to attend the meeting. He reminded Members that the issue around dentistry was highlighted at the meeting on 14 November 2016. The organisation had been asked to provide an explanation for the removal of the service, including information on the number of affected patients, their location and the available alternative provision in the locality. The report highlighted the number of affected patients from the Bishop Auckland and Middleton in Teesdale areas when the mobile service ceased and they were transferred to Richardson Hospital. Numbers accessing dental services at the Richardson Hospital had declined over the last few years. Special needs patients were also seen at the Richardson Hospital and this service would not be affected.
Members were asked to refer to the map attached to the report that showed the level of take up, red indicating low take up and dark green indicating high take up. Take up in the Teesdale areas was very good in comparison to other areas within the North East.
The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer reported that the Castle Dene surgery in Barnard Castle had been actively recruiting new patients. Ongoing discussions were taking place and the move would be from the Richardson Hospital to seeking alternative provision. Members were asked to note the situation of the removal of the service.
Councillor Bell was seriously unhappy that there was an ongoing need for the service but that people had already been advised that the service would cease and that they would have to find alternative provision. He felt that no assurances had been given by NHS England. He referred to the background information within the report that showed that 200 patients in Teesdale and 80 people in Middleton in Teesdale had used the mobile service. Alternative provision had been put in place at the Richardson hospital. Most of the patients accessing the service came from Barnard Castle West. He attributed the falling numbers to the fact that people had already been told that the service would cease and therefore that had already found alternative provision. He went on to ask if there was enough capacity at other practices for all patients and stated that Crook and Shildon were not local areas, especially of people had to travel on public transport. Those people that were not mobile or that were elderly would suffer as a result. He said that his questions had not been answered, that the organisation had already stated its intention to withdraw the service and no assurance had been given that people would find alternative local provision. He also found it unreasonable that no-one had attended the meeting today from NHS England.
Councillor Hopper said it would interesting to know about general access to general practices.
Councillor Huntington commented that an overarching manager should have been in control and advised people where to find alternative provision. She questioned why the organisation had been allowed to withdraw from the contract.
The Chairman suggested that a letter was sent to NHS England stating what the statutory overview and scrutiny process was and to explain that this Committee had discovered this piece of news from a local newspaper, via Councillor Bell. It had been a poor piece of work and they would be asked to attend a future meeting.
Councillor Bell expressed concern about transport links and felt that he had asked perfectly reasonable questions.
Councillor Temple said that it was not obvious from the report how many general patients had reduced. It was noted that the specialist service would remain but that these patients were included with the overall number of patients. He would like to know how many sessions had been cancelled not just the number of patients.
The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer referred to information in the report that stated 2 sessions per week had reduced to 2 sessions per fortnight. He suggested that as the Committee had a further meeting on 20 January 2017 he would make enquiries and ask for representation at that session.
Resolved:
That representatives from NHS England be invited to attend the meeting on 20 January 2017.