Agenda item

[To approve the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Consultation Evaluation Report, and provide any comments.]

Claire Skidmore, Chief Finance Officer, and Penny Gibbs, Communications and Engagement Lead Officer, presented the Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG) MSK consultation evaluation. The CCG’s consultation ran from 16 March 2015 to 5 June 2015. This work included:

• Formal meetings
• Visits to outpatient clinics
• Discussions at public and private CCG meetings
• Outreach opportunities
• Social media

The CCG reported a positive response to the consultation and noted the vision to streamline the service was shared by the majority of people that they spoke to. The consultation identified four themes that are important to people, which were:

• An accessible and local location
• Easy access and referral into the system
• Good communication
• Quality of service with performance indicators to measure success

The findings of the consultation will be presented to the CCG Board with a view to designing a contract specification to tender the service. The Chief Finance Officer noted that the CCG wishes for patient voice to be part of the procurement process, and that they hope to procure a service that will start by the end of 2016. Sam Hick, HealthWatch representative, queried how patient groups would be involved in this process. It was explained that there will be patient involvement in reviewing bids, with an opportunity to challenge decisions in the procurement process.

Cllr O’Neill commented on information sharing between health bodies and queried whether the CCG would introduce more technology to replace hard copies of documents. The Chief Finance Officer explained hospital trusts make these decisions; however, CCG contracts often make stipulations regarding technology, which means the CCG can track and monitor developments. She added that the CCG aims to design a MSK service where professionals are be able to access patient records seamlessly to avoid duplication.

Cllr Simkins requested background information about MSK services for the benefit of new Health Scrutiny Panel members. The Chief Finance Officer explained that the reasons for bringing the paper were considered by the Health Scrutiny Panel last year, summarising the issues of the current service: a confusing system for patients, duplicated and superfluous appointments, and an inefficient information sharing processes. Cllr Simkins noted that turnout for some of the consultation events had been very low and queried whether elected members could be informed of future consultations in their wards, as this could significantly boost turn out. Ros Jervis, Director of Public Health, also noted that certain workshops had been poorly attended. She suggested that the CCG should link with Councillors when running future consultations as elected members often have detailed knowledge of their communities. This was noted by the CCG as a lesson learnt. The Director of Public Health explained to the Panel that she had not been involved in this consultation as it not part of Public Health’s remit. However, she commented that Public Health would continue to play a role in supporting service users

Cllr Simkins commented that the results of the consultation survey showed a higher number of professionals with a possible interest in the service redesign than patients. The Chief Finance Officer noted that 215 service users had responded to the survey, and that clinicians’ viewpoints were often useful for designing a service. Penny Gibbs, Communications and Engagement Lead, added that a mixture of patients, carers and professionals, totalling 138 people, had completed questionnaires for the consultation. She stated the total number of participants was not deemed low. She added that whilst the CCG had arranged a series of events and means to communicate, CCG employees could not coerce people into responding. The Chief Finance Officer noted that specific consultation had taken place at a rheumatology group to gain insights from a key patient group. Sam Hick, HealthWatch member, enquired if feedback would be provided to those who had participated in the consultation. The Communication and Engagement Lead explained that where contact details had been left, the CCG would contact the individual.

Cllr O’Neill requested that a specification draft be shared with the Panel when available to give Councillors an impression of the MSK service design. The Chief Finance Officer explained that the specification will be based on the consultation’s findings. Cllr Simkins added that the Panel should be reported to about how effective the changes have been at a future meeting.

Cllr Thompson raised two health issues for the Panel’s consideration. Firstly, she queried the number of rheumatologists in the Wolverhampton, noting a reported shortage by constituents. The Chief Finance Officer agreed to provide this information to clarify staff numbers. Secondly, Cllr Thompson made a suggestion for a future work item. She noted that there was a national issue of a shortage of young doctors and medical professionals, and requested that the Panel consider a report on ‘building a workforce for the future’ at a later meeting. The Director of Public Health suggested that Professor Linda Langue at University of Wolverhampton and Dr Singh at New Cross would be good contacts to provide information about working on postgraduate health training.

Resolved:

1)    That the Musculoskeletal Consultation be upheld on the proviso a copy of the draft specification be circulated to Health Scrutiny Panel members.

2)    That Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group be provided with information about Councillors and their ward details for their future consultation involvement.

3)    That the suggested work item, ‘building a workforce for the future’, be added to the Health Scrutiny Panel work programme.