Agenda item

The Board considered a report of the Chair of Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee which presented the key findings and recommendations of 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).

Councillor J Robinson, Chair of Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee explained that the Review was undertaken in 2019 following concerns about the potential cumulative impact of a number of proposed applications to review, merge or close GP branch services across County Durham during 2018/19.

The working group met 6 times and evidence was collected from North Durham and  DDES CCG; North East Ambulance Service NHS FT; Care Quality Commission; County Durham and Darlington Local Medical Committee, DCC Public Health, Planning Policy and Transport teams; NHS England’s 2018 GP Patient Survey and reports by County Durham Healthwatch into Care Navigation; Access to GP Services survey and GP Enter and View visits.

The key findings of the review informed the proposed 9 recommendations as detailed within the report and a service response from NHS County Durham CCG is also included with in the report at para 31.

In conclusion Councillor Robinson added his thanks to members, officers, and partners for their valuable contribution to the review process.

Councillor Allen asked how the Board could ensure a consistent service across the County which should in turn improve patient experience. In response Councillor Robinson advised that this was for the Health and Wellbeing Board to determine as part of the levelling up agenda for healthcare across County Durham. He noted that the move to a single CCG for Durham would help, but less clear was the potential impact of the ongoing consultation on Integrated Care Systems and their future role in Commissioning arrangements currently undertaken by CCGs. In respect of the latter issue, it was essential that any resources required were earmarked for County Durham and based upon its health need and deprivation levels and retained within Primary Care in Durham.

He further referenced the report which highlighted the need for a consistent approach to communications and message management, in respect of how the community access primary care and this should consistent across County Durham as is training and development of primary care staff.

F Jassat, County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group welcomed the report and thanked the Adults Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee for the review undertaken. He assured the Board that the CCG had received and considered the recommendations and found it to be visionary. He advised that the CCG would undertake a review of the recommendations contained within and report back in 6 months’ time.

Dr S Findlay, County Durham Clinical Commissioning Group also noted his thanks, adding that the cross-party support for primary care was encouraging. He went on to comment that COVID-19 had catapulted technology within the health service and many aspects of primary care would change forever as a result including the impact upon the estate, because of increased use of remote consultations.

He further noted that with regard to contracts and investments there was an element of choice, however it would be important to invest in primary care going forward to ensure access to services were consistent across County Durham and felt it important that Durham continued to lobby for control of the budget in County Durham.

Resolved: That the Board endorse the recommendations contained within the review report and agree to work in partnership to deliver the identified improvements.