Agenda item

To consider the report of the Interim Lead, Leeds Health & Care Plan, which provides an overview of the STP development so far, both in Leeds and at a West Yorkshire level

Nigel Gray, NHS Leeds North CCG, introduced the report as the basis of discussions to focus on three key areas:

·  What do you think are the three key priorities that would help reduce the Health and Wellbeing Gap?

·  Working with citizens is key to addressing the gaps, how do you think we can ensure that this is meaningful, open and honest?

·  How would you like your community committee area to be part of the conversation as the Leeds Health & Care Plan develops?

Dr Andersen GP; James Woodhead, LCC Adult Social Care; and Tony Cooke Chief Officer, Health Partnerships attended the meeting.

Dr Andersen of Oakwood Lane Surgery addressed the meeting on her experience of working as a GP for 17 years in the locality. She highlighted the key issues as being proactive to prevent disease and achieve good outcomes for the community; addressing long term conditions such COPD and CVD; care for the elderly and ensuring medical support is provided in nursing/residential homes to assist in reducing the number of hospital admissions. Several initiatives were running at the Surgery to target resources effectively, such as Patient Champions, a Social Prescriber on site and an urgent responder - one GP who dealt with triage calls.

The themes arising from the discussions were noted as being:

·  Availability/allocation of services across the locality was not equable and caused increased demand for the services elsewhere. One local ward member reported there was little GP provision in Richmond Hill and due to poor public bus services, many residents could not access health services outside of their locality.

·  The difficulties in obtaining a GP appointment and appointment times – which discouraged some from attending

·  Allocation of services did not target areas where the wider determinants of health had a significant impact - such as child poverty and fuel poverty. The statistics for health and wellbeing in Inner East clearly demonstrated the need for health services in the locality.

·  The need for health and care workers to have transferrable skills, between hospitals, residential home and own home.

·  Concern about the reduced workforce and recruitment to the health and care professions.

·  Social media was used to connect with patients, however it was noted that whilst many people had smart phones, many Inner East residents did not have home internet access.

In response to those comments, the following information was discussed:

·  As a pilot, a GP had been practising at St James’s – in response to local residents presenting at St James’s with non-clinical/urgent care needs

·  The Darzi Centre provided GP care and patients would be seen within a 4 hour target time

·  Both of these initiatives may not be sustainable in the future, however funding to extend the St James’s GP provision was being sought - action was being taken now to invest in future provision

·  Concerns over the future health and care workforce were noted as fewer people were choosing to work in the NHS; bursaries for nurses had been cut and GPs with young children often returned to work part-time, leaving practices short of hours to be covered

·  A Health & Care Academy for Leeds was planned to ‘grow our own’ workforce. Health and care providers identified a need to link with schools, universities and communities known to score highly on the deprivation index to encourage interest in working in the health and care sector

·  Future service models would include integration and co-location of services, such as pharmacists and nurses within GP surgeries.

RESOLVED

a)  To note the key areas of focus for the Leeds Plan as described in the submitted report and how they will contribute to the delivery of the Leeds Health and Wellbeing Strategy

b)  To note the contents of the discussions and how the issues discussed identify the need and opportunities within the Inner East area that will inform and shape the development of the Leeds Plan

c)  To note the contents of the discussions on the most effective ways/opportunities the Leeds Plan development and delivery team can engage with citizens, groups and other stakeholders within the Inner East area to shape and support the delivery of the Leeds Plan.