Meeting documents
Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (DCC)
Monday 3 April 2006
Meeting: Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 2 - 03/04/2006 10:00:00 AM)
Item: A9 (a) Durham and Chester le Street PCT Quarterly Report from PALS
Item No 9 (a)
| Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee 3rd April 2006 Durham and Chester-le-Street PCT - Quarterly Report from the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) |  |
| Report of Head of Overview and Scrutiny | |
1. To explain the latest quarterly report from the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) Service relating to the Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust.
Background
2. The Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust PALS report for the period 1 October to 30 December 2005 indicates a number of key themes arising from the 99 cases considered. These may be of interest to the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee:-
Dental - Nine issues relating to dental services in respect of accessing registration and/or emergency dental treatment..
Concerns - 44 concerns were raised across a wide range of services. A high proportion of these concerns were very complex.
Out of Hours - Two issues raised. One issue initially was presented as a concern relating to difficulty in accessing out-of-hours provision in a crisis. Following investigation, this had been as a result of the general practice providing slightly different arrangements for out-of-hours to those requested by the PCT resulting in confusion for patient and relative in accessing correct out of hours contact number for the necessary time of the call.
Interpretation - A total of 20 requests were received for single/multiple interpreter bookings.
General Practice - An increased total of 23 issues raised including:-
7 relating to difficulties in accessing influenza vaccination at local GP
4 relating to problems in accessing appointments
3. There were 26 issues raised relating to people in prison, including 11 concerning Referrals/Appointments. 4. HMP Frankland has experienced a high proportion of issues raised where referrals have been complicated owing to transfers of prisoners to/from HMP Frankland and appointment cancellations as a result of prison security or by hospital. The issues raised related to arrangements for referral not being initially actioned between transferring/new establishments, or appointments not being resurrected following cancellation of original appointment at prison or hospital request. 5. In addition, there have been concerns raised within HMP Frankland and HMP YOI Low Newton regarding access and waiting times for general practitioners, dentists and opticians.
Recommendation
6. You are asked to note this report.
| Contact: Ian Mackenzie Tel: 0191 383 3506 |
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