Agenda item

Report submitted from NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside).

The Committee considered a report submitted from NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) informing the Committee of NHS England’s decision regarding future provision of primary care services to patients registered with Hightown Village Surgery, Hightown, and Freshfield Surgery, Formby. The report set out an executive summary on the matter; the background; details of the establishment of a task and finish group to oversee the information gathering exercise; details of the engagement exercise undertaken with patients; a review of the options available; and the next steps to be taken. A Patient Listening Analysis Report was attached for both Hightown Village surgery and Freshfield Surgery.

The report indicated that following a review of all the information and the patient listening exercise, NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside) had considered available options with both NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG and had taken the decision to undertake a procurement process to identify a provider to offer primary care services at both the surgeries concerned, that were sustainable in terms of high quality and value for money. Commissioners would seek innovative bids from providers to offer better access to services, better quality of services, better integration with other health services and a willingness to work in close partnership with other local health providers in the interests of patients. The contract for the two surgeries would be tendered as separate lots, although the NHS organisations concerned were receptive to innovative solutions and the surgeries could be operated as a merged practice. It was possible that consideration of the services provided at the two surgeries might have to be re-arranged if quality bids were not forthcoming.

Anthony Leo, Director of Commissioning, Cheshire and Merseyside Area Team, NHS England; Leah Maguire, North West Senior Communications and Engagement Manager, NHS England; and Jan Hughes, Assistant Contract Manager, NHS England (Cheshire and Merseyside), were in attendance from NHS England to present the report and to respond to questions put by Members of the Committee.

The Chair referred to the engagement events she had attended, as part of the information gathering exercise, and praised the efforts put into the events.

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

·         A significantly high number of patients did not respond to the engagement exercise.

All patients were contacted by letter, seeking their views and those who could not attend listening events were encouraged to participate via a free-phone telephone number, email, or respond in writing. Social media was also used.

·         Despite being registered with a GP, there may be residents who visit surgeries very infrequently and may not have strong views.

All patients were contacted by letter and the engagement exercises were made as public as possible in order to seek views.

·         What was the likelihood of Option 4 – to disperse patient lists – being deployed?

One of the risks of the process was that viable bid(s) would not be made for the surgeries.

·         How would the process of seeking potential bidders work?

NHS England would work with the two Sefton CCGs throughout the project. Consideration would be given to hiring a venue for an event and submitting invitations to potential bidders.

·         Bearing in mind the requirement for “quality bids”, how widely would the process be advertised?

The requirement for potential bidder(s) would be made available via the NHS procurement portal where it was possible for anyone to view, and it would also be widely advertised.

·         What sort of “innovative approaches” might be feasible?

Consideration would be given to the provision of primary care clinical services that met the needs of the local population, for instance, it might be more appropriate for a patient to see a nurse. It might not be possible to provide a full-time service and it was important to seek the views of the local population in such instances and explain the situation to them.

·         What makes an interesting GP practice, as “cherry picking” of practices could occur.

GP care was changing and evolving, with the requirement for different skills mix, new technology, different and innovative ways of managing both the practice and conditions. There were also financial incentives based on the number of patients.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.