Agenda item

The appendix to this report has been circulated separately as it was too large to include within the agenda pack.  

The Board received a presentation, previously circulated within the agenda pack, from Sharon Grant, Chair of Healthwatch Haringey. Following the presentation the Board discussed the group’s findings.

The Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Morton, began by noting that this issue had been discussed by the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee and that it also shared the concerns outlined above with regard to GP services in Tottenham. He noted that he strongly supported proposals to establish a Task and Finish group to look how these issues might be resolved.

There was agreement that the provision of adequate GP services was essential to the community and particularly in relation to children and families. The Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Waters, noted that the Council’s approach to supporting families focussed heavily on the importance of ensuring that all children received the best start in life and this was reflected in its focus on children aged from nought to five years of age. She noted that GPs played a crucial role in the development and wellbeing of children in this age group and added that it was essential that they had access to good quality GP services.

In response to a question, the Chair of Healthwatch Haringey confirmed that it was the organisation’s view that immediate action was required to address the lack of GP services in Tottenham Hale. Waiting for twelve to fifteen months for a feasibility study to be undertaken was not a viable option given the acute need in the area.  

It was noted that Neil Roberts of NHS England would respond to the points made under the next item.

RESOLVED:

1. That the findings outlined in the Healthwatch report relating to poor access to GP services for residents in the Tottenham Hale area, highlighted in both qualitative and quantitative evidence, be noted;

2. That the findings outlined in the report relating to the poor access to GP services for residents in the North East GP collaborative area, highlighted in both qualitative and quantitative evidence, be noted;
3. That the findings outlined in the Healthwatch report relating to the relatively poor access to GP services in Haringey compared to the national benchmark and in comparison with Camden, reflected in the number of actual GP appointments per week, be noted;

4. That Healthwatch’s call for immediate steps to be taken to supplement the GP capacity in Tottenham Hale, pending the proposals arising from the recommendation below, be endorsed;

5. That Healthwatch’s call for a working group to be set up as a matter of urgency to review the evidence and to make recommendations to the Health and Wellbeing Board, within three months, for immediate action to improve access to GP services in the short term for the residents in Tottenham Hale and surrounding Wards be endorsed (the membership should include NHS England, Haringey CCG, Public Health, patient representatives and other partners that that the Health and Wellbeing Board may wish to nominate); and

6. That Healthwatch’s call for a planning group to be established to develop a strategy and plan for GP services in Haringey over the next five years, with priority being given to the North East and South East GP collaborative areas, be endorsed (the membership should include NHS England, Haringey CCG, Public Health, patient representatives and other partners that that the Health and Wellbeing Board may wish to nominate).