Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Health and Wellbeing

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Health and Wellbeing informing the Committee of progress made in the design and implementation of a new delivery model for the NHS Health Checks programme on Sefton.

The report set out the background to the matter, indicating that the NHS Health check programme was a national programme designed to identify early signs of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, type 2-diabetes or dementia and aimed to help find ways of for individuals to lower their risk. Public Health within the Council commissioned GPs to provide the service and the Council was currently pursuing a delivery model that moved away from GP based delivery to incorporate a wider network of providers. This was driven by both concerns over the current performance and the current cost of delivering the service. The current contract would run until 31 March 2018 and was funded through the Public Health Grant.

The report set out information on Health Check performance data; engagement with GP surgeries; wider engagement; and proposals to progress the new delivery model for the new NHS Health Check programme in Sefton by enhancing the services provided by Active Sefton and Living Well Sefton

Members of the Committee raised the following issues and a summary of the responses provided is outlined below:-

·         How was it possible to get patients to attend health checks, particularly when there was a fear factor involved?

Health checks could possibly be combined with consultations and could possibly be delivered in different settings.

·         Were the quality aspects of health checks consistent?

There was a need to be absolutely sure of the quality of health checks and for conversations with Public Health England to be held regarding this aspect.

·         Patients could not always get time off work, etc. to attend health checks.

There were opportunities to explore innovative approaches to the current delivery model, such as the use of on-line appointments, etc.

RESOLVED:

That the progress made against previously approved action and the work being undertaken to design and implement a new delivery model for the NHS Health check programme in Sefton, be noted.