Sarah Webster,
Executive Director for Berkshire West Place, ICB and Helen Clark,
Associate Director of Primary Care, Berkshire West, ICB provided a
presentation and update on the Urgent Care Centre in Reading pilot
scheme. The main points
included:
- There had been an increase and high demand for urgent care
services including help for minor illnesses, 111 referrals and for
out of hours GP. This showed a demand
for a service to meet the needs for urgent care
activity.
- Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic the Reading Walk-in Centre saw
around 100 patients per day and the Centre was only able to access
patients Summary Care Record; patients had to go back to their
practice for ongoing care, onward referrals etc.
- During the pandemic the Walk-In service had been suspended to
accommodate the Covid-19 Respiratory Hub. From April to July 2020 a registered list ran from
Milman Road Surgery, after that period
the two services operated alongside each other.
- The
Walk-In Centre was currently suspended with focus on encouraging
patients to access care from their own GP practice. During Winter 2021-22 there had been an additional
number of appointments commissioned across Berkshire West practices
with two overflow hubs in Reading. There had been no national
funding for additional capacity this Winter.
- A
pilot scheme for an Urgent Care Centre based in central Reading for
minor illnesses would be commissioned from November 2022 to run for
18 months. This would then be reviewed
for consideration of a long-term model to be delivered
locally.
- The
pilot scheme would have the capacity for 100 patients a day with 50
walk-ins and 50 referred from Emergency Departments.
- The
previous Walk-In Centre would remain suspended.
- The
registered list element would be re-procured over the next six
months and would be dealt with separately.
- Improvements to other areas included monitoring data, working
with Healthwatch to gather information, working with PCNs,
increasing referrals to the Community Pharmacy Consultation
Service, completing a telephony roll-out, winter messaging, revised
delivery service for Enhanced Access, registration campaign for
young males, peer support to improve access and a digital literacy
programme to support online access and the NHS App.
In response to
questions, points made included:
- Work was being undertaken with the planning department to
consider population growth and the needs for GP provision across
Reading. Updated data had been received
and plans were being updated to consider future need.
- Consideration would be given to working with social care and the
needs of the service to support patients.
- Partnership and joint working with Adult Social Care and Health
was being undertaken. The scheme would provide learning and future
ways of working together. It was agreed that an update be provided
to the Committee once the Urgent Care Centre was up and running to
provide information on the service and how it linked with partners
and how social care was working.
- The
Service would make links and referrals for patients with mental
health issues as appropriate.
- Referrals from the NHS 111 service was not part of the pilot but
would be considered in the future.
- There was a commitment to ensure health and equalities to avoid
digital exclusion. Literacy programmes
and hubs to access support with computers to access services would
be provided. Anyone accessing the
Urgent Care Service for on the day care would receive
support. Information would be provided
to people about the service and support would be provided to
register with a GP practice.
The Chair
thanked Sarah and Helen for the presentation.
Resolved – That a
future update be provided to the Committee on the Urgent Care
Service.