Agenda item

In line with the Third Phase of NHS Response to Covid-19, Dorset’s NHS organisations are working on plans to reflect how they will work towards:

• returning/resuming health and care services

• prepare for winter and manage any further second spikes

• lock in the beneficial changes we have already seen

• take urgent action to tackle the inequalities that exist across Dorset and those that have been exacerbated due to Covid-19

• support our staff

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Officer, Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (DCCG) on the Dorset Integrated Care System and Phase 3 recovery plan.

The presentation set out: how non-Covid health services were returning to near normal levels; how beneficial changes arising from the pandemic were being "locked" in; performance/activity requirements; activity plans; the Dorset Plan; key challenges; the mental health investment standard; winter planning and probable second spike; and high level timeframes.

In response to a question about access to Covid-19 testing in Dorset, it was explained that testing for NHS front line staff continued.  But there was pressure on how many tests could be done as equipment and resources to undertake these were deployed around the country based on need.   The number of people wanting to be tested had increased with tests at the Creekmoor Centre being arranged through the national system.  There was no local control over testing and the DCCG was aware of the issues and the impacts this could have on people returning to work and for care homes and others. 

A number of other questions were raised by members.  These included whether  unions supported longer working and flexible hours for staff; whether extra funding was available for additional staff for the NHS 111 number in order to cope with additional calls; the suicide prevention steering group; improved access to mental health services; drive throughs for flu jabs; access to ADHC services for children; the West Dorset pathway for gastroscopies; whether there was sufficient capacity in the system to cope with a second wave; and the closure of St Leonards Hospital.

In response members noted that:

·      unions had been involved in the changes to working for NHS staff during the pandemic although staff were moving back to their normal areas of work. Unions would be consulted about any permanent changes to staff terms and conditions;

·      information about the suicide prevention group would be provided outside of the meeting;

·      the service was struggling with the volume of NHS 111 calls.   However, it took time to recruit and train people to the point they could answer calls and the impact of the last few months needed to be considered along with future demands on the service;

·      mental health services had not the level of funding needed but additional national funding was now being provided.  An explanation of plans to reintroduce mental health pathway services and increase access for children and young people was given;

·      it was for individual GP practices and networks to decide how best to delivery flu jabs.  Practices were working with communities to identify sites for this and any views from members would be welcomed;

·      Covid-19 vaccinations would need to be run on a much bigger scale so it was more likely that this would be done on a similar basis to Covid-19 testing in order to get through the number of people needed to be vaccinated;

·      a briefing paper would be provided for the ADHD and CAMHS pathways for children;

·      Dorset County Hospital was receiving additional funding which would increase imaging and endoscopy capacity. MRI and CT scans were booked within target currently and it was anticipated this would increase to 100% within the next couple of months;

·      the speculation that the NHS put Covid-19 patients into care homes was being looked at.  With regard to people living in the East of the County being transferred to community hospitals in the West, it was proposed to increase beds and facilities to prevent this in future.  There would be investment in the community offer and a focus on Home First with support being provided to people in their own homes;

·      wards at St Leonards Hospital were transferred to the Bournemouth site to enable more services to be provided and for more patients to be seen whilst using the same resources;

·      when beds are not available locally, the nearest available bed was identified and when the system was under pressure a bed might be at some distance from the patient's home. It was hoped that with the Home First model and more community support being available this could be avoided;

Members commented on the NHS staff's response during the Covid-19 pandemic and the many positives and lessons learned.

The Chairman thanked NHS officers for attending and responding to questions. She looked forward to working with them in the future and asked them to consider whether the Committee could help them by scrutinising any areas of concern. The presentation would be circulated to members following the meeting.