Issue - meetings

1.1.        The Committee considered a report providing an update on the redesign of the urgent care system as part of the ESBT programme, with a focus on the development of Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs).

1.2.        Mark Angus, Urgent Care System Improvement Director, EHS/HR CCG; Jessica Britton, Chief Operating Officer, EHS/HR CCG; and Ashley Scarff, Director of Commissioning/Deputy Chief Officer, HWLH CCG responded to questions from HOSC.

Capital requirements

1.3.        Mark Angus explained that during 2017/18 £1.7m was invested in the A&E Departments at both East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust (ESHT) hospital sites to create the Primary Care Streaming Services. He said that he believed the capital works were completed effectively and with little disruption to the A&E Department.

1.4.        Mark Angus said that the Primary Care Streaming Services have been assessed and it has been agreed that the Conquest Hospital site can provide a UTC in its current configuration, however, the Eastbourne District General Hospital (EDGH), whilst able to support a UTC, requires some additional capital investment to optimally provide the service. Mr Angus said that the CCGs are in the process of sourcing the capital funds and are confident that the necessary works can be completed by the 1 April 2019 deadline.

Procurement process

1.5.        Mark Angus confirmed that the decision about the UTC procurement process will now be formally considered by the CCGs’ Procurement Committee in May.

Patient access to the UTC

1.6.        Mark Angus explained that the UTC will include a bookable service. In order to book an appointment to the UTC, patients will be triaged by their GP, ambulance service, or the NHS 111 Clinical Assessment Service. He said that walk-in patients will use the triaging system established for the Primary Care Streaming Service, which is led by fully trained senior nurses who can call on the support of doctors and consultants if necessary.

Reason for co-location of UTCs

1.7.        Mark Angus said that  the decision to develop co-located UTC was informed by what local people had said what was important to them when accessing urgent care services together with the outcome of engagement with local stakeholders and providers. The plans would provide 24/7 access to urgent care services, including access to a broad range of simple diagnostics where required and immediate access to co-located emergency and specialist acute assessment services for sick patients. Audit work undertaken indicates that approximately 20% of current attendees at the local A&Es would also benefit from primary care delivered services. The proposed UTC model addresses this need and should take pressure off of the A&E departments.

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Risk of staffing shortages

1.8.        Mark Angus agreed that the development of UTCs faces similar workforce challenges to the rest of the healthcare system, however, the UTCs should mitigate workforce challenges somewhat by providing existing services in a single location more efficiently and effectively. He said that feedback from staff suggests that the proposed model offers a better work-life balance.

Out of Hours GPs involvement in UTCs

1.9.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29