Issue - meetings

The Board received a report from the Chief Commissioner for Halton, NHS Halton CCG, which updated Members of the progress to date of the Widnes and Runcorn Urgent Care Centres since the decision not to re-procure the service.

The Urgent Care Centre Progress Report and Service Development and Improvement Plan (SDIP) were attached to the report together with the Service Specification for the Halton Urgent Treatment Centres (previously known as Urgent Care Centres) which included Appendices 1 and 2.

 The Board was informed that since the publication of the agenda, the introduction of bookable appointments for GPs and advanced nurse practitioners were now available and clinicians at the Treatment Centres were able to ring the acute hospitals for advice and refer directly into the appropriate setting rather than go through A&E.  It was noted that data relating to the performance of the Centres would be available in 6 months’ time.

The following was noted in response to questions:

·         Despite the UTC service, pressure on A&E had not reduced as much as it was hoped;

·         Educating the public on the UTC service was important and there was further work planned around this;

·         The GP extra service was praised, however it was not promoted in some surgeries so some people did not know about it;

·         Some difficulties remained with the ICT services, however these were being worked through; and

·         Transport was provided for patients if for example they were being transferred to hospital after clinical assessments at the Centres.  It was not available to take people home after being discharged from the Centre. 

RESOLVED:  That the Board notes the update.