Agenda item

7.1

The Committee received a report on the progress of the South Yorkshire and Bassetlaw Integrated Care System bid for primary care capital developments under Wave 4B of the Capital Scheme and also progress on the development of Primary Care Transformational Hubs and other schemes to improve capacity in general practices.

7.2

Present for this item were Jackie Mills, Director of Finance, NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Lucy Ettridge, Deputy Director, Communications, Engagement and Equality NHS Sheffield CCG.

7.3

Jackie Mills presented the report and outlined some key points, stating that the bid to deliver transformational change in the region had been successful, and that an overarching Programme Business Case had been developed and approved and was awaiting ministerial approval.  She said that two-thirds of the £57,459 investment into primary care facilities had been earmarked for Sheffield and the three key elements of this was the development of Primary Care Transformational Hubs for GP practices to bring together small practices, develop capacity within eight GP practices and avoid underutilised and void spaces within such premises.  Jackie Mills stated that some of the existing premises within the scheme were out-dated, residential properties which by their nature, created a number of problems such as access and expansion potential. The scheme would use capital grant monies under Section 2 Agreements, which allowed local authorities to build, own and operate such premises in return for a long-term, rent-free period for NHS services.  She then went on to outline the potential sites in the north of the City and how the service was to be delivered and she said that she would bring back detailed plans to a future meeting of the Committee.

7.4

Members made various comments and asked a number of questions, to which responses were provided as follows:-

·                A trawl of practices had been carried out and bids had been put forward to meet the criteria, with priority being given to those that could be up and running within the timescale of December, 2023.  Also, consideration would be given to those practices which would deliver the best service for the local patient population.

·                Consultation had been carried out around each potential hub and it was acknowledged that some patients felt that they would be disadvantaged with the clustering of practices.  However, bringing together several practices into one large multi-practice, multi-service hub offering a wider range of services could reduce the number of sequential trips and healthcare appointments and offer greater flexibility.

·                The shortage of GPs, the infrastructure within primary care and the development of the digital infrastructure created challenges but the CCG were working to meet these challenges.  GPs have a broad range of views and buying into a practice in some areas was considered to be the best option for them, but in the areas included within the scheme, where there was negative equity, so this was felt to be a good an opportunity for GPs to buy into this type of service.  However, some GPs feel they can deliver the best service from their own premises. 

·                It was unknown whether there would be more schemes in the future, as the focus was on new build hospitals with more acute facilities. The region was only one of two areas where this type of investment was to be made.

·                The city centre was more developed in terms of central practices which included the Devonshire Green, Mulberry and the asylum seeker city centre practices.

·                With regard to transport links, there was a balance to be sought so that patients didn’t have to travel to several and alternative places for appointments.  The city council is helping with the traffic planning scheme as part of this.  Conversations have been held with the voluntary and community sector to look into many issues including travel and accessibility to buildings.

·                The plan was not to close practices.  Premises will close but the practices will be relocated.  When all avenues have been considered regarding relocation, the Trust scheme will go out to full consultation with the public.

·                In terms of the development of a strategic outline case in order to consult and engage with the public, it was looking more likely that the CCG would be able to proceed, however the timescales set were really demanding, and decisions have to be made by December 2023, but it was considered that there was enough information to be able to carry out a full consultation process.  One of the ways to reach people, particularly in those areas where there was a high number of people with a BAME background, and to get their views on the proposals, would be to work with Healthwatch, voluntary and community sectors, Public Health and some BAME led organisations.

·                The future of primary care will be delivered from the new hubs and will benefit not only the practices and Primary Care Networks involved, but also to patients in some the most deprived communities in the City.

·                The CCG felt it would be beneficial to seek the views of the Local Area Committees in the areas affected and that they would come back to the Scrutiny Committee with an update.

7.5

RESOLVED: That the Committee:-

(a)      thanks Jackie Mills and Lucy Ettridge for attending the meeting;

(b)      notes the contents of the report and responses to questions raised; and

(c)      asks officers to draw this issue to the attention of Local Area Committees.