NEXT STEPS 

December 2015

Programme Update 

Over the last month the NHS organisations currently working to address the challenges faced by the NHS in south west London have been discussing how their work can be brought together into a new, single partnership. Proposals are being discussed by each of the six south west London CCG governing bodies and by local provider Trust boards at their meetings over the next month or two.

The proposed new partnership would bring together the six south west London CCGs,  Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (areas in Surrey –Epsom & Ewell, Elmbridge ,Banstead & Reigate and Mole Valley), local acute and community provider trusts, local authorities, patient and public representatives, NHS England, Monitor and the Trust Development Authority. 

Our aim for the programme is to work together, with Clinical Commissioning Groups, local authorities and with local people to deliver safe, high quality and sustainable health services for people in south west London and Surrey Downs. More information will feature in the next issue of Next Steps.

Deliberative Events

In September 2015 we held six large scale focus group events in each of the south west London boroughs.  During the events (which were called “Help us build a new NHS in south west London") we talked to patients and the public about some of the challenges facing local health services (as set out in our Issues Paper document) and gathered ideas on how things could be improved. The full report and executive summary can be found here. 

Equalities Analysis 

An initial Equalities Analysis (EA) has been carried out as part of our early engagement programme to support the south west London Issues Paper. The Equalities Analysis is now complete and the high level findings have been written up into a report.

The report

1. Identifies those protected characteristic groups who may have a disproportionate need for health services and;
2. Explores the potential positive and negative impacts which may arise should there be any changes proposed to health services in relation to the challenges outlined in the issues paper.

The findings and recommendations from the Equalities Analysis will feed into the next phase of work and will be used to inform the next phase of our programme engagement. The Equalities Analysis report can be found here.

Richmond CCG launches seven-day
GP access scheme

From left to right - Dr Tymens, Zac Goldsmith MP, Lord True 

Every patient in Richmond will get seven-day access to a family doctor as part of a new scheme that was launched recently by Zac Goldsmith MP. 

The scheme will initially run until March 2016 and deliver extra appointments, operating from 8am-8pm every day including weekends. Extended GP access will be available from four hubs in Barnes, Hampton Wick, Twickenham and East Twickenham.

Patients will continue to contact their GP in the usual way but may be offered a daytime, evening or weekend appointment in the nearest location to their home. New technology has enabled electronic access to patients' notes, so the GP or nurse can better understand their medical background quickly.

The scheme is being run by Richmond General Practice Alliance (RGPA), a partnership of all GP practices in the borough. It was made possible due to a one-off £2.6m investment from the Prime Minister's GP Access Fund, which aims to ensure patients across the UK have greater flexibility and better access to their GP.

As well as seven-day a week access and evening opening hours, the RGPA will also implement a range of innovative patient services to suit modern lifestyles including greater use of video conferencing, email and phone consultations for those who would find it easier. In addition, patient information screens will be installed in every practice to provide details on local NHS health services in the borough.

Zac Goldsmith, MP for Richmond Park and North Kingston, said: "I want to thank the Richmond GP Alliance for their amazing efforts. This will be a huge benefit the local community and I look forward to seeing the health benefits that arise from this scheme."

Dr Darren Tymens, chairman of the RGPA, said: "One of benefits of this new scheme is that patients see a local Richmond GP at their nearest hub, who can access their medical record with consent and update it after their appointment so their registered GP is aware. As well as the benefits for the patient's health in seeing a doctor sooner, we hope the new extended hours will relieve some of the pressure on local NHS services, including Kingston and West Middlesex Hospitals, by offering patients another option over the winter months."

Dr Graham Lewis, Chair of NHS Richmond Clinical Commissioning Group, added: "We are fortunate to have GPs in Richmond who are very committed to providing a high quality service to patients, their families and carers.

"This scheme, offering extra GP appointments including at weekends, supports the CCG's out of hospital strategy which aims to commission services that are local and link up around the patient. Most importantly we know that with similar schemes across the country the outcome has already been to alleviate pressure on local A&E departments. We hope this will be a key area of support for our nearby hospitals as we head into the winter."

In Step With... Tonia Michaelides, Chief Officer 
Kingston Clinical Commissioning Group 

What role do you play in the SWLCC programme?
As Chief Officer of Kingston CCG I work with a range of people with different disciplines and  from different organisations to develop and deliver the SWLCC programme. In terms of specific pieces of work I am lead for Mental Health and Planned Care workstreams and Chair the Director of Commissioning and Director of Finance group. I am also leading the commissioning work of the London Mental Health Transformation Board which is part of the Healthy London Partnership. I really enjoy working with lots of different people who usually I wouldn’t necessarily get a chance to meet.

If you had a magic wand, what one thing would you change about the NHS?
I think if I had one wave of a magic wand I would remove all aspects of inequity – life expectancy, health outcomes, access to services as examples. I would also deliver true parity of esteem for mental and physical health. 

What are your hopes for the programme?
I am a resident of Sutton, as is most of my family, so I hope that we secure at a pace sustainable person centred health and care services which have a vibrant and motivated workforce delivering the very best possible care. 

Describe yourself in three words?
Optimistic, enthusiastic and pragmatic

ARE YOU PASSIONATE AND ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE FUTURE OF YOUR NHS AND WANT TO HELP US SHAPE THE FUTURE OF SERVICES?