Agenda item

To receive the Haringey Primary Care Trust Neighbourhood Development Plan (TO FOLLOW).

The Committee received an update report on the NHS Haringey’s plans for World Class Primary Care from James Slater, Director of Primary Care – NHS Haringey.  There were four active teams working on the Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs), which were intended to show a clinically-led view of the 3-5 years ahead for each of the four neighbourhood areas.

The Committee asked if there were likely to be any changes to the NDPs, particularly in Hornsey, in the next three years as a result of any budgetary changes.  Mr Slater explained that there were currently no plans to scale back funding and the NHS would be resourcing the relocation of existing services in Hornsey to the new health centre in accordance with the plans.

Concerns were raised by the Committee about patients who may not wish to change where they normally see doctors.  Mr Slater explained that some patients will have the option not to move with their doctors and an alternative list of surgeries would be provided. 

Mr Slater provided an update on the Neighbourhood Health Centres.  Solutions for the integration of the IT systems were being investigated at the Hornsey Central Health Centre and reception staff from the various doctors surgeries had been informed that they would be working from one reception desk.  Consultation was taking place to establish a shared reception at the Laurels Centre.  The Lordship Lane Health Centre would contain just one GP practice.

In response to questions, Mr Slater informed the Committee that there would certainly be sexual health centres at Hornsey Central, North Tottenham, Lordship Lane, Laurels and St Annes Health Centres.

A written response to the following three questions posed by local resident Mario Petrou would be provided by NHS Haringey:

1.   What was happening with the PCTs plans with St Anne’s hospital – will there be a health centre at St Anne’s?

NHS Haringey, having completed its Neighbourhood Development Plans, will review its Estates Strategy (opportune given the Council’s consultation on spatial planning).  As part of that strategy, we are committed to working in partnership with the Local Authority, BEH Mental Health Trust, The Bridge NDC & other agencies to re-develop the St Ann’s site.  We believe that an essential part of that major & long-term re-development will be a major community health facility for SE Tottenham, complementing those services provided at The Laurels and also offering some specialist or bed-based services. 

2.   Was the PCT still planning to move its Head Quarters to Wood Green, from St Anne’s

NHS Haringey does not see any compelling reason for its corporate offices to remain on the St Ann’s site.  We are keen to explore options for re-location – including collocation with the local authority, as is the case with some other London boroughs.  There is no timescale for this re-location. 

3.   Are the PCT prepared to admit access will be more difficult to the health centres, given the recent Transport and Access study?

Throughout the consultation on its Primary Care Strategy and subsequently, NHS Haringey has acknowledged the complex and multi-factored nature of access.  We remain convinced that fewer, larger premises offering a wide range of services is a better & more sustainable service model that will enable us to tackle poor health & inequalities. 

The Community Survey confirmed that most residents – while valuing the proximity of a GP service - are willing to travel further to access a wider range of services. 

The Transport & Access Study is a complex and lengthy piece of work which provides us with a raft of information – we are already drawing upon that information in our Neighbourhood Development Plans and will also do so in our Estates Strategy (see above).  Inevitably, the Study identifies some challenges.  However, we see nothing to reconsider our long-term approach summarised here. 

The Committee discussed swine flu and the Catch it, Bin It, Throw It campaign, and suggested a similar advertising campaign to stop people spitting in the streets. It was felt that the Council’s bylaws should be used to penalise people who spat in the street. Mr Slater advised that he would report back to the Committee on whether spitting in the streets was hazardous in relation to the spreading of infections and whether a local advertising campaign could be organised.

Post meeting note:

Clinical advice was that spitting in public (while agreed to be unpleasant) does not present a health risk in relation to swine flu.  NHS media material (both national & London-wide) is rigidly controlled as local additions may detract from the key messages.  As such, scope for a local campaign seems limited. 

Mr Slater provided a brief update on the current situation with swine flu and stated that the PCT was focussing on outbreak management, rather than containment, particularly during the autumn where seasonal flu was common.  Work was continuing to develop a vaccination and it was hoped that those who had already caught swine flu would have immunity in the future. Mr Slater emphasised that anyone with flu-like symptoms should seek medical advice immediately. 

RESOLVED

That the report and its contents be noted.