Issue - meetings

The report provided an update on the work of the Urgent Care Board and the workshop that was held on 30 June 2014.  Following discussion, the workshop members had agreed that there would be no changes to the current structure of the Urgent Care Board (or its name) as it was felt that the UCB satisfies the new guidance from NHS England for System Resilience Groups (SRGs).

The Chair indicated that she had concerns that the ‘surge plan’ of three extra appointments in each GP’s practice would be sufficient.  Dr Goriparthi gave a verbal update on the work that was being undertaken which included the linking- up of GP IT systems.  There were also other projects being progressed, for example links with Havering to provide urgent care.

John Atherton advised that NHS England had also committed to distribute winter funds much earlier this year and would also be looking at resilience plans over the next few weeks. 

The Board noted the report and in particular:

(i)  The work that had been undertaken and was ongoing in regards to the linking-up of GP’s IT systems.

(ii)  NHS England’s commitment to provide winter pressure funds much earlier and also that they are reviewing resilience plans over the next few weeks in preparation for the winter season.

(iii)  The still needed to be some evidence that the ‘hub’ and surge appointments were being used by ‘ill people’ rather than for additional routine appointments.