A panel member asked if the Personal Independent Payment process issues are being pursed through political channels. The Scrutiny Officer reported that this is hand and correspondence is currently being drafted.

Katie Denton, Director for Primary Care and Karen Worthington Clinical Director Transforming Primary Care gave an overview of the report highlighting that there has been significant investment to improve access this has resulted in a local incentive scheme for surgeries to deliver core and extended hours.  They have set up two GP access hubs with two GP’s on duty at both sites instead of one,  other improvements include; additional nursing services, blood pressure checks, chronic health management and cervical screening services in the evening.

It was reported that challenges include; patients attending surgeries on a Sunday is low in Merton and nationwide. Non-attendance rate for appointments is at 15%. Raising the profile of the hubs amongst local community remains an issue.

It was also reported that the social prescribing pilot was successful, there has been a reduction in GP appointments and an improvement in the wellbeing measure amongst those who participated.

A panel member reported that patients found blood testing and other samples was laborious as they had to attend different sites, people should be able to hand them into their local surgeries. The Director for Primary Care reported that the Practices are starting to work as networks and it is expected there will more changes over the next 18 months. The Clinical Director Transforming Primary Care said the situation is complex, it is due to IT system in the practice and historical set up, some tests cannot stand overnight and there is a pick time. More practices are signing up for phlebotomy services which will help the situation.

A panel member asked if they are monitoring GP feedback, it was reported that they do monitor GP feedback and conduct surveys once every six months as well as consider intelligence from clinical leads. This information is all fed back to the CCG.

A panel member said access is an issue and asked if there are any key performance indicators for surgeries. The Clinical Director Transforming Primary Care said practices must provide a specific number of appointments per week. Practices themselves have put in a number of measures such as morning and evening surgeries. Other professionals such as social prescribers also help to free up GP time. Merton has scored 5^th in the country for best access to appointments.

In response to a query on digital access and how to ensure senior citizens are not excluded from access if they are not able to use digital means, it was reported that the CCG are committed to ensure that new systems do not disadvantage any groups of patients. The complaints system is one way to monitor this, there is some concern about the ease of getting through on the telephone. Merton is below the benchmark and it is hoped that online access will free up telephone time.

The Director for Primary Care gave an overview of workforce issues highlighting that many professionals are coming to retirement age, there is a programme of work trying to attract new GPs into the borough. A new GP contract will support recruitment and retention and there is a new overseas GP recruitment programme, it is early days but it is hoped this will increase capacity in primary care.

A panel member asked if there is there is an increasing gap between supply and demand for retiring GPs. The Director for Primary Care said the government has projected some ambitious figures for increasing GP numbers. Merton is focused on making the borough a good place to work so GPs want to work here and we are able to retain them locally.

A panel member asked if surgeries are tackling loneliness amongst older people which can be causing them to seek GP appointments. The Director of Primary Care said social prescribing will help to address this issue and will help patients with their wellbeing. It will be rolled out to all practices across the borough and is currently funded for two years.

RESOLVED

The Officers were thanked for their report and for attending the meeting.