Issue - meetings

To receive the following reports from NHS Haringey:

i.          Primary Care Update Report

ii.         NHS Haringey Financial Update Report

iii.        Commissioning Out of Hours Services in North London

The Committee received the health update reports from NHS Haringey, introduced by Duncan Stroud, Associate Director - Communications, Engagement and Partnerships, and Julie Quinn, Deputy Chief Executive NHS Haringey.

Primary Care Update

The Committee asked that the NHS Haringey Associate Director – Communications, Stakeholder Engagement and Partnerships, take back the Committee’s concerns about the Lordship Lane Clinic appointment system not working effectively and the fact that users wishing to make appointments were required to call a premium telephone number.

The Committee highlighted that there should be discussions with the Probation Service regarding offenders with Mental Health issues and the fact that courts did not order treatment or suspended sentences for these people.

The Committee highlighted that other services such as physiotherapy and foot-care services were not easily accessible and was advised that such other services could be provided in future Neighbourhood Centres/ Poly Clinics.

The Committee expressed that further clarity behind the decisions to reconfigure services and better consultation were required in future.

The Committee requested that copies of the Going Local – Care Close to Home document (used at a recent consultation event) be sent to all Council Members.

It was noted that NHS Haringey had started the process of consultation in order to put services in place to meet patients’ needs.

RESOLVED  that the report be noted.

NHS Financial Update

The Committee asked for a list of low priority treatments mentioned on Page 24 (item c) of the agenda pack.

RESOLVED  that the report be noted.

Commissioning Out of Hours Services in North London

Committee Members expressed concerns about how out-of-hours doctors from overseas were monitored and pressures on North Middlesex Hospital if the Whittington Hospital accident and emergency (A&E) was closed.  In response, the Deputy Chief Executive - NHS Haringey advised that all doctors were screened and there was legislation to support and ensure doctors wellbeing.  The new A&E unit in North Middlesex Hospital was undergoing a 13 month pilot scheme of improved services and any pressures would be supported by other services such as an urgent care centre.

In response to the Committee’s question on how NHS Haringey dealt with safeguarding it was noted that doctors were expected to communicate with health visitors.  There was no statutory responsibility for doctors to attend case conferences and the Deputy Chief Executive – NHS Haringey questions how appropriate GPs input would be if they were required to attend. Health visitors, school nurses and therapists however, did attend case conferences

RESOLVED  that the report be noted.