Agenda item

7.1

Representatives from NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group - Abigail Tebbs, Deputy Director of Delivery, Primary Care Estates and Digital, Lucy Ettridge, Deputy Director, Communications, Engagement and Equality and Dr Terry Hudsen, Chair (apologies from Jackie Mills, Director of Finance) – attended the meeting to present a report on a programme to invest and transform primary care in three areas of the city, including the proposal to build 5 new health centres.

7.2

The Sub-Committee discussed the report, which set out the Draft Pre-Consultation Business Case (PCBC), the Pre-Consultation Engagement Findings, and the draft consultation plan and asked for the Sub-Committee’s consideration and comments prior to approval for the PCBC and consultation being sought from the CCG’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee at its meeting on the 23^rd June 2022.

7.3

The Sub-Committee expressed comments and concerns on the reports. The Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee:-

1. Is concerned that there may be some inaccuracies in the way the survey data from the pre-engagement exercise was analysed  - specifically around the ‘net agree’ figures and how ‘neutral’ responses may have been counted.

2. Is disappointed that the ‘Carry Forward’ options from the long list will not be included in the consultation, and would like the PCCC to look carefully at whether the ‘carry forward’ offers could be viable.

3. Is concerned that the Pre-Consultation Business Case does not adequately address or mitigate:

·       Negative impacts identified through the Equality Impact Assessment

·       Negative patient responses from the pre-consultation engagement around ability and willingness to travel further to access services.

4. Is concerned that the low response rate to the pre-consultation engagement (2%) undermines its findings, and runs counter to the NHS ‘4 tests for service change’ requirement around strong public and patient engagement.

5. Is concerned that the travel times to new sites have not been properly considered in this process, and has doubts around the accuracy of some of the walking travel times as set out in the Pre-Consultation Business Case – eg local members felt that walking from Burngreave Surgery to Spital Street in 4 minutes would be challenging.

6. Is disappointed that travel by bus was not considered as a factor in identifying suitable locations for the new sites.

7. Is concerned that the proposals don’t address the fundamental issue facing patients trying to access primary care - the lack of GP appointment availability.

8. Is concerned that the proposals will result in an increase in travel - running counter to the City’s ambitions around carbon reduction and ‘15 Minute Neighbourhoods’.
   
   
9. Thinks that the consultation document should be clearly and informatively set out – making it clear how this consultation is different to the pre- consultation engagement process; and addressing upfront the issues raised through that engagement. Committee members welcome the opportunity to be involved in the ‘Readers Panel’.

7.4

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee:-

Agrees to submit its comments and concerns on the Primary Care Estate Transformation Plans, as set out in 8.3 above, to the meeting of NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group’s Primary Care Commissioning Committee on the 23^rd June 2022.