Agenda and minutes

Councillor Peter Kemp declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5, in that he had formally submitted a complaint about his GP, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof.

Councillor Phoday Jarjussey declared a personal interest in Agenda Item 5, in that he was a patient and regular user of the health service, and remained in the room during the consideration thereof.

To confirm that all items marked Part 1 will be considered in public and that any items marked Part 2 will be considered in private

RESOLVED –

That all items of business be considered in public.

Consideration was given to the report on the provision of health services in the Borough.  The Care Quality Commission had published the results of its performance assessment of 392 NHS trusts on 15 October 2009. 

Hillingdon PCT

Professor Yi-Mien Koh advised that the overall scores attained by Hillingdon PCT for quality and financial management in the CQC assessment (fair/fair) had been disappointing.  Members were advised that the PCT had been working hard to improve its performance but had been let down in the assessment by the scores for patient experience.  This score was in the bottom five in the country and had previously been in the bottom 25% in London.  Professor Koh would forward the patient experience ratings to the Democratic Services Manager to pass onto Members of the Committee. 

The PCT was now working with GP practices to improve the patient experience by introducing locality primary care advisors to target areas that mattered to the practices and provide support (this would be monitored by the PCT Board).   Practice staff and patients would be consulted on what improvements they thought ought to be introduced and the Hillingdon LINk would be helping with this work.   Experienced Practice Managers would be asked to advise other practices on improvements such as optimising appointments as well as raising awareness of what constitutes the patient experience.  Training would be made available to receptionists and other practice staff where needed.  

It was noted that the CQC assessment had become more rigorous as public expectations had increased.  The PCT would be looking at the provision of information on its website to assess whether this could improve and contribute towards a better patient experience. 

Dr Grewal advised that, whilst there had been investment in the development of new surgeries, there had been no significant investment in the maintenance of exiting surgeries for more than 10 years.  It was acknowledged that the economic downturn had resulted in the provision of services taking precedence over the provision of improvement grants to surgeries.  Over the last 12 months, action had been taken to look at improvement works. 

Members were advised that the average number of consultations received by each Londoner per year had increased from 3.7 in the 1990s to 5.3 in 2005.  It was thought that this had subsequently increased further. 

The Drop In Centre in Hayes would be formally opened in November 2009.  All PCTs were required to provide this service.  It was noted that the Centre had taken over a GP surgery that had previously existed on the site and had also taken over the GPs 2,000 patients.  A lot of patients seen at the Centre were from Hayes and had previously regularly attended Hillingdon Hospital.  As such, the introduction of the Centre had improved access for those Residents as it was closer to their homes. 

Hillingdon PCT had under achieved in the CQC assessment regarding its target for 12 week appointments for pregnant women.  Hillingdon Hospital had had been working closely with the PCT and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 19.

RESOLVED –

That the minutes of the External Services Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 23 September 2009 be agreed as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the External Services Scrutiny Committee’s 2009/2010 Work Programme.

25 November 2009 – Podiatry & Footcare

A site visit to the Pagett Ward and Diabetic Centre at Hillingdon Hospital was being arranged for the week commencing 9 November 2009.  Members would be advised of the date and time in due course.

24 February 2010

It was noted that the meeting scheduled for 24 February 2010 would be held as a joint meeting with the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea at Kensington Town Hall.  The Democratic Services Manager would liaise with officers at Kensington and Chelsea and advise Members of the meeting details in due course. 

Children and Young People Who Abuse Their Parents and Carers Working Group

It was noted that the Working Group meeting scheduled for 4 November 2009 had been cancelled.  The next meeting of the Working Group was due to be held on 2 December 2009 and would start at 5.30pm (not 6pm as previously advised).

RESOLVED –

That:

1.      the External Services Scrutiny Committee’s 2009/2010 Work Programme be agreed;

2.      Members be advised of the date and time of the podiatry site visit to Hillingdon Hospital; and

3.      the Democratic Services Manager liaise with officers at the London Borough of Kensington and Chelsea and advise Members of the details of the joint meeting being held in February 2010 in due course.