Agenda item

To consider and discuss a report from the Head of Democratic Services which presents information surrounding Same Day Response services in Leeds.

The Head of Democratic Services submitted to the Board a report on Same Day Response (SDR) services in Leeds.

On introducing the item, the Chair explained that when the Board was considering priority areas of work for this forthcoming municipal year, Members had expressed an interest to understand how the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted Same Day Response services, including the effects of coming out of lockdown, and to consider the actions being taken to address such impacts.

Appended to the report was a briefing paper produced by NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group. This provided further information surrounding the current situation of SDR services, including actions to address current demand and also longer-term plans linked to the development of the Same Day Response Strategy for Leeds.

In attendance for this item were:

·  Cllr Salma Arif - Executive Member for Public Health and Active Lifestyles

·  Cllr David Jenkins - Deputy Executive Member

·  Victoria Eaton - Director of Public Health

·  Shona McFarlane - Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care

·  Kirsty Turner - NHS Leeds CCG

·  Gaynor Connor - Leeds GP Confederation

The Board were advised of the following points:

·  The impact of the pandemic has seen a move to remote triage, an increase in demand has caused an increase in visits to A & E with a rise of 17% for major presentations and a rise of 10% in minor presentations. There has also been an increase in 999 and 111 calls.

·  While the figures show a significant decrease in face to face GP appointments during 2020 due to the pandemic, more recent figures do show an increasing number of face to face GP appointments as well as a significant increase in GP appointments in general. 

·  With the increase in demand for SDR services, there is a focus on how to build greater capacity in primary care and A & E services, such as greater use of minor illness services to stream patients away from emergency departments if not required and also greater use of community pharmacy consultation services.

·  It was highlighted that other short terms actions, as set out within the briefing paper, are set within the context of the longer-term plan to transform SDR services to deal effectively with future demands. Linked to this, particular reference was made to the use of the 111 service in providing advice and to make it easier for patients to choose and access the right service.

·  The longer term strategy also focuses on developing and diversifying the workforce.

Members discussions included:

·  Pre-booking of GP appointments – To help alleviate demand for same day response services, Board Members recognised the value of being able to pre-book GP appointments and felt that GP surgeries should now be facilitating this again for patients.

·  Dentistry – The Board expressed concerns about the impact of the pandemic on accessing dental care, particularly in paediatric dentistry. The Board sought clarification of GP referral rates to the Leeds Dental Hospital during the pandemic period and recognised the need to strengthen the relationship between GPs and Dentists moving forward.  In recognition of previous issues raised by the Board in relation to dentistry, the Chair suggested that this matter be addressed in greater detail at a future Board meeting with colleagues from NHS England.

·  Development of primary care workforce roles – The Board sought clarification of GP vacancy figures, but also discussed the aspiration to develop the primary care workforce in general which aims to cover various roles across the service.  Linked to this, it was suggested that the Board schedules a focused discussion around primary care workforce at a future meeting. 

·  Access to a named GP – It was noted that it was still in the contract for Patients to have a named GP, however, it was acknowledged that it was not always the case that patients saw their named GP.

·  Communication – The Board recognised that communication was key to patients being provided with service choice and being given access to the right service. It was acknowledged that triage and roles within primary care assisted in providing the right choice and right service for patients.

·  Social prescribing – The Board requested information on the number of referrals for social prescribing across the city. The Board was advised that the Social Prescribing Group would be able to provide more details to future meetings. It was acknowledged that there was now more opportunity to provide and enhance provision for social prescribing across all practices within the city.

·  Urgent Treatment Centres– While particular reference was made to the location of an Urgent Treatment Centre in East Leeds, it was acknowledged that the general work surrounding new Urgent Treatment Centres had been put on hold during the pandemic but will be starting up again.

RECOMMENDED – That the content of the report and the comments and requests made by the Board be noted.