Agenda item

Stephen Gwillym, Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer, presented the Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee’s review report focusing on GP Services in County Durham (for copy see file of minutes). 

The Chair expressed sincere thanks to the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer for the support he provided to the Working Group on this piece of work and for his work in supporting the Committee.

By way of background, the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that work had taken place during 2018/19 to investigate the review of GP branch services across County Durham and this had informed the decision to undertake a review of the provision of, and, access to GP Services across County Durham.

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer outlined the terms of reference and explained that the review group met on six occasions to examine GP coverage across the county with evidence gathered from colleagues within Public Health, Clinical Commissioning Groups, the North East Ambulance Service and the Care Quality Commission.  The Review Group made nine recommendations which aim to improve the sustainability and accessibility of GP services in County Durham.  The Principal and Overview and Scrutiny Officer pointed out that references in the report indicate that survey work identified that the use of online and telephony to access services was very low, however, the impact of Covid-19 and its restrictions, was likely to have increased the use of those methods of engagement.

The Committee noted the recommendation to submit the report for consideration by Cabinet at the meeting on 16 December and the Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer explained that date was a nominal date, and, subject to the Committee agreeing the report, consideration would be given to submitting the report to Cabinet in November.

Subject to Cabinet approval, the report would be shared with the Health and Wellbeing Board and the Clinical Commissioning Group executive body and executive board.

Councillor Tucker requested clarification with regard to the reference at paragraph 12 to a new countywide primary care strategy.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer clarified, at time of the review, there were two separate CCGs both of which had individual primary care strategies.  The review report seeks to ensure the findings and recommendations are used to shape and influence the emerging county wide primary care strategy, as referred to in the previous item of business on the primary care update.  

Resolved:

               i.         That the review report and recommendations be agreed.

             ii.         That the report be submitted for consideration by Cabinet at the earliest opportunity.