Agenda item

The Committee received a report of the Director of Transformation and Partnerships that provided an update in respect of the implementation of the revised Urgent Care services by Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG which commenced on 1 April 2017 (fort copy see file of Minutes)

The Director of Commissioning, Durham Dales, Easington and Sedgefield CCG gave a detailed presentation highlighting the following:-

·         Service change from 1 April 2017

·         Impact of the Changes – Implementation

·         Impact of the Changes to date

·         Patient Feedback

·         Impact of the Changes – Sedgefield

·         Impact of the Changes – Easington

Dr David Richardson advised the Committee on the following point:-

·         Impact of the Changes to date – Durham Dales

The Director of Commissioning continued with the presentation highlighting:-

·         Are there other options in the Dales

·         111 Service

·         Utilisation of MIU/OoH at Bishop Auckland Hospital & Peterlee Community Hospital – weekends

·         Utilisation of MIU at Bishop Auckland Hospital & Peterlee Community Hospital – weekends for walk-in patients

·         Utilisation of MIU at Bishop Auckland Hospital & Peterlee Community Hospital – weekdays – walk-in patients

·         Minor Injury Units

·         Stroke

Councillor Patterson was pleased to see the reduction on A&E attendances but asked for further information on the demographical areas with the details behind it.  The Director of Commissioning confirmed that this information was shared with practices to gain an understanding of where patients were going to, and she would make this available to the Committee.

Referring to the significant reduction in people using the Minor Injuries Unit and the Out of Hours services during the evening, Councillor Patterson was concerned that the original consultation only offered 3 options.  She was pleased to see that the 111 service was working much better by booking direct appointments.  The Director of Commissioning explained that a substantial exercise had been carried out in order to develop the options proposed with an external company who facilitated that.  She was also confident that the 111 service would continue to grow and evolve.

Councillor Davinson asked that Councillors were kept up to date and be consulted about problems in their areas, especially in the Dales area where there was rural isolation.

The Chairman asked for further details around the Sedgefield figures as he had concerns about people going to North Tees.  The Director of Commissioning recognised that there had been an increase at North Tees but would investigate and report back.

Resolved:

(i)            That the report be received.

(ii)          That the comments made by the Committee on the presentation be noted.