Agenda item

Presentation by the Strategic Head of Primary Care (Tees Valley), North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board

The Strategic Head of Primary Care (Tees Valley), North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board gave a presentation (previously circulated) updating Members on Primary Medical Care and General Practice Access.

The presentation provided Members with an overview of General Practice, with details provided of the GP contract and regulation of general practice; reference was made to core funding and the Primary Care Network (PCN) Contract Directed Enhanced Services (DES). The presentation also gave an overview of General Practices in Darlington, including details of the workforce and means of contacting and accessing the practices.

Details were provided of primary care appointment activity including eConsult data and enhanced access utilisation and causes of access challenges were outlined; the findings of the GP Patient survey 2024, an independent survey run by Ipsos on behalf of NHS England; and the Primary Care Access Recovery Plan, which was focussing on empowering patients to manage their own health, implementing modern General Practice access, building capacity and cutting bureaucracy. Members noted the progress made to date.

Members welcomed the wide range of roles of staff in GP practices that were available to patients; and particular discussion ensued regarding the eConsult data. Members were advised that whilst all practices offered eConsults, a small number of practices operated a total triage model whereby a team of clinical practitioners reviewed and prioritised submissions received from patients, with prioritisation of appointments based on clinical need. Members highlighted concerns regarding acquiring an appointment and were informed that pre-bookable appointments were available up to two and sometimes three weeks in advance.

Concerns were also raised regarding services offered by pharmacies. The Public Health Specialist informed Members that Darlington’s Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment was being reviewed and as part of the review, all community pharmacies would be contacted to ascertain their offer.

RESOLVED – That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee be extended to the Strategic Head of Primary Care (Tees Valley), North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board for her interesting and informative presentation.