Agenda item

Sharon Morrow, Chief Operating Officer Barking and Dagenham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) presented the report and explained that whilst the Barking and Dagenham CCG has a two year Operating Plan for 2014 to 2016 it is required to refresh its Operating Plans each year in order to take into account changes in local needs, central planning and financial allocations, which were expected around the 23 December for 2015/16 financial year.

Sharron Morrow drew the Boards attention to the details in the report and in particular to:

·  Mental Health – there was likely to be new access targets and a review of recent policy guidance would be undertaken to see what could be done to improve service provision.

·  Cancer Services – There would be a drive to improve early diagnosis in 2015/16 as this would have both improved patient outcomes and reduced the treatment costs overall.

·  Children’s Services – Increased effort in improving health outcomes for children with special education and disability needs, looked after children, care leavers, youth offenders and early year’s development and targeting childhood obesity.  Joint reviews were also planned for children’s therapies and CAMHs.

·  Stroke – A review of the stroke rehabilitations pathway was being undertaken to inform and develop a new model of care that meets national standards and improves patient outcomes and experience of services.

·  Primary Care Improvement – Plans to develop co-commissioning with NHS England following the release of guidance on 10 November 2014.  Away days, workshops would be held.

·  Urgent Care – Increased access to GP services in the evenings and weekends was being progressed by the GP Federations and would be part of the procurement of urgent care pathways across three CCGs.

·  Planned Care – Reviews of the pathways for diabetes and respiratory diseases would be undertaken as well as development of a community dermatology service.

·  Learning Disabilities – It was intended that the commissioning functions for some learning disabilities services would b transferred to LBBD from April 2015, through a Section 75 Agreement.

·  Maternity – Would support improved public health outcomes in related to a reduction of smoking during pregnancy, late access to antenatal care and promote increased breastfeeding.

The Chair commented that the Council would fight the recreation of ‘ONEL’ (Outer North East London) and stressed that we need our own Health and Wellbeing Board to deal with the issues that affect this Borough, as they are not the same as Havering.  The Chair added that whilst it may be easier to commission for three boroughs, it may not be best for the community, especially in Barking and Dagenham. 

Councillor Carpenter commented that she was pleased to see Mental Health included. 

Councillor Carpenter raised the issue of cultural factors and if they could lead to Sudden Infant Death.  Matthew Cole responded that there were links and pointed the Board to the London Health Strategy and commented that and Simon Stevens, Chief Executive, NHS England, needed to look at the role for social prescribing rather than a purely medical role for GPs. 

Dr John commented that the area you serve is important and he was not sure if GPs had the latest training to deal with the rapid demographic changes in population and their different cultural practices.  Dr John added that localism might be important and there could be a need to look at delivery of information, workforce planning and training now so that they are in place to deliver to the specific community needs.

Ann Graham, Divisional Director, Complex Needs and Social Care, read a number of questions from Sara Baker, Independent Safeguarding Chair of the Local Safeguarding Children Board and Safeguarding Adults Board.  Sharon Morrow responded that the CCG were very much focused on the needs of the local authority and provision was based upon the needs assessments that had been undertaken in LBBD, including mental health needs assessment.  Further work would be done in regards to the Mental Health Strategy and recognised that the need varies across boroughs. 

Marie Kearns commented that the speech and language services appeared to be struggling again: primarily due to the increasing number of children in LBBD.  These skills are a vital part of children’s development particularly to get them ready for school. 

Councillor Turner commented about the lack of detail in the reports. 

Councillor Turner was concerned that the CCG Board members were all male.  Sharon Morrow confirmed that there were three female members on the CCG Board.  Dr John added that it is the Clinical Directors that are all male and they are elected by the GP members to the Board and that for a variety of reasons there may be a lack of female leaders coming forward in the future.  Dr John agreed that he would prefer there to be a more female representation but it was dependent on who put themselves forward.  The Chair advised she would discuss this issue with Dr Mohi outside of the meeting

The Chair commented on the potential plans for urgent care and stressed that due to the reluctance of some residents to go to Barking there was likely to be more people using Queen’s Hospital.

The Board:

(i)  Noted the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was refreshing its Operating Plan for 2015/16 to take into account the updated Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA), local and national priorities for delivery including the Better Care Fund requirements and financial plans; and,

(ii)  Noted the CCG commissioning intentions for 2015/16, as set out in the report, and the comments in regard to service provision

(ii)  Noted the Section 75 arrangements would be brought back to the Board for sign off in the New Year.