Agenda item

Dr Ian Mack and Rebecca Mercer were present at the meeting and provided the Panel with a presentation on the Sustainability Transformation Plan (as attached).

Dr Mack explained that the Sustainability Transformation Plan was a work in progress and consultation on individual projects would be carried out at the appropriate times with the relevant stakeholders.

The following was highlighted during the presentation:

·         The Sustainability Transformation Plan covered Norfolk and Waveney.

·         Population growth and changes would have an effect on the services provided and how they were delivered.

·         Financial assumptions were included in the presentation and what would happen if the CCG was to do nothing.

·         The challenge was growth in population and demand for services and there was a need for transformation.  It was not about cuts, it was about looking for efficiencies in the existing systems and services.

·         Key work streams and priority projects were highlighted in the presentation.

·         The CCG would work with other public bodies, including the Borough Council.

·         The CCG’s vision, which was “for the people of West Norfolk to have high quality care, delivered locally, within our available resources”.

·         The CCG’s vision for the future (2021) which was “a thriving local hospital, a strong united network of GP’s, and a group of Out-of-Hospital providers of physical, mental health and social care services, all of whom behave as one integrated ‘whole system’ delivering high quality care by staff who are proud to work and live in West Norfolk”.

The Chairman thanked Dr Mack and Rebecca Mercer for their presentation and invited questions and comments from the Panel, as summarised below.

Councillor Tyler asked if the plan was achievable and asked how confident the CCG was that the problems could be solved.  Dr Mack explained that if the CCG did not look at how to overcome problems there was a success regime which would come in and sort the problems out for them; however this was not the route that they wanted to take.  He explained that it was important to get governance right and do what was best for Norfolk.  He hoped that sufficient resources would be available for changing over services and any double running costs during changeover periods. 

Councillor Moriarty asked if there were common problems throughout the Country and if there was a way to share best practice and good ideas.  Dr Mack explained that services were run in different ways across the country.  He felt that services should be locally owned, however he accepted that there were common themes.  Rebecca Mercer commented that learning and best practice was shared and the CCG had matched themselves to other areas with a similar population and was able to look at the services they provided and any problems they had encountered.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Bambridge referred to a programme she had heard on the radio regarding a hospital in Birmingham and how they had moved to an electronic computer system.  Rebecca Mercer informed those present that the Queen Elizabeth Hospital currently used a paper based system for patient records and Norfolk Hospitals were working together to look at ideas for new systems, however this was still a long way off.  A system was also being looked at to allow records to be viewed across the County.  Dr Mack commented that a local digital roadmap had been produced and formed part of the Sustainability Transformation Plan. 

Councillor Fraser commented that any electronic systems would need to be mindful of confidentiality and data protection and Dr Mack explained that the relevant checks and processes would be put in place if such a system was to come into fruition.

Councillor Squire asked what improvements were proposed for Mental Health Services and made comment to the waiting list for diagnoses for children.  Councillor Squire also asked who would be consulted on the Sustainability Transformation Plan.  Dr Mack explained that the Plan would be made up of different projects and consultation would be carried out on the individual projects as required.  He explained that the CCG regularly held stakeholder meetings, which were open to the public and presented issues and sought feedback.

Dr Mack referred to the comments made regarding the Mental Health Services, he acknowledged that there were clearly issues and existing processes could be complex.  He explained that there were several organisations involved in the service including Norfolk County Council, Social Services and the NHS.  Dr Mack explained that discussions were ongoing with Norfolk County Council on how the processes and services could be pulled together.  He also explained that one of the work streams within the Sustainability Transformation Plan was Children and Young People.

Councillor Smith referred to the possibility of creating a King’s Lynn ’hub’ and asked if any further detail was available on this.  Rebecca Mercer explained that this project was in the very early stages and a location for the hub was not yet known, however it was likely to be located within an existing facility.  It was hoped that the hub would involve different agencies and organisations and could manage patients with complex needs.  It was hoped that assessments and referrals could be made at the hub as well as crisis plans and care plans.

In response to a question from Councillor Tyler, Dr Mack explained that unnecessary costs would be looked at and non-clinical services such as HR and payroll would be looked at to see if there was the potential for more efficient working.

The Chairman, Councillor Sampson explained that he had been made aware that some of the services in Cambridgeshire were closing, which included some of the services close to the Norfolk border, which were regularly used by residents in Norfolk.  Dr Mack explained that this would be investigated to ensure that necessary services were accessible.

In response to a further question from the Chairman, Dr Mack explained that the provision of housing would be investigated in the Sustainability Transformation Plan.  He felt that older people often did not want to downsize or move to adapted accommodation; therefore it was important to build the right sort of accommodation to enable people to remain in their homes for longer.  He explained that Sheltered Housing was important and it was also important for developers to be aware of the need for fit for purpose housing.  The Chief Executive informed those present that the Borough Council, jointly with Norfolk County Council were discussing a ‘housing with care’ scheme in West Norfolk and a site had been allocated in the Borough for a trial.

The Chairman, Councillor Sampson referred to seven day working and felt that since surgeries had been closed on the weekends, the amount of patients in A&E had increased.  Dr Mack explained that the availability of services would be looked at and reminded those present that there was the possibility of a project to create hubs.

The Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and Health, Councillor Nockolds, informed those present that there were lots of organisations working together to improve health in the Borough.  The Borough Council provided services such as Care and Repair, Careline and Leisure Facilities and was in the process of creating a Health Strategy to encourage residents to lead an active life.

Dr Mack commented that there were Borough Council representatives on the West Norfolk Health and Wellbeing Board.

RESOLVED: (i) The update was noted.

(ii) The CCG be invited back to the Panel in one year’s time to provide an update on progress with the Sustainability Transformation Plan.