Agenda item
Brent Clinical Commissioning Group commissioning intentions 2014/15
Brent Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is presenting the Health Partnerships Overview and Scrutiny Committee with its commissioning intentions for 2014/15 for the committee’s comments. The report provides an overview of the CCG’s commissioning aims along with a more detailed appendix of their plans for 2014/15.
Minutes:
Sarah Mansuralli (Deputy Chief Operating Officer, Brent Clinical Commissioning Group) presented the report that outlined the key aims and desired outcomes of Brent CCG’s commissioning intentions. The main intention was to help fulfil the improvements identified as necessary and provide more community provision. The committee noted that the providers shared the CCG’s intentions and the aims would be achieved through collaborative working between the CCG, service providers, patients and the public. The CCG had undertaken benchmarking exercise across four nationally defined domains, however data had not been available for the fifth domain in relation to treating and caring for people in a safe environment and protecting them from avoidable harm, so local data was being obtained. Members heard that CCG’s commissioning intentions had been supported at draft stage by the EDEN Committee and the final proposals would be reported to the EDEN Committee on 29 January, following which their feedback would be available. Sarah Mansuralli emphasised the importance of producing clear commissioning intentions as these were instrumental in shaping the CCG’s investment plans. The CCG’s intentions were both broad and ambitious and aimed to maximise patient outcomes and experience.
During members’ discussion, a member queried whether the proportion of acute contracts making up 73% of the Brent CCG contract was what the CCG had intended. In noting the intention for providers to work collaboratively towards electronic records, she noted that such initiatives had not worked in the past and she enquired what steps would be put in place to ensure that this was more successful this time. She expressed her approval of proposals with regard to the assessment tariff, mental health and elderly care and added that the conference on dementia in December 2013 that had included the attendance of Dr Ethie Kong and some Members of Parliament had been a worthwhile exercise. In view of this, she queried why dementia had not been explicitly included in the report. Another member welcomed the overall purposes of the CCG commissioning intentions, however she felt that they lacked specificity and in view of the financial constraints, she enquired what areas would be focused on and what consultation had been undertaken with patients. A member asked if podiatry services would be available, especially as some diabetic patients would benefit from this. In respect of dementia, he enquired how the quality of assessments would improve to ensure they got the appropriate level of care.
With regard to intentions for outpatients’ services, it was queried how these would be delivered in view that the CCG’s Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention (QIPP) investment plan for 2014/15 was subject to a 3% budget reduction. In respect of community health services and pathways, information was sought in respect of plans, including the budget allocated for it and a timetable for implementation. It was commented that intentions for community paediatrics lacked detail and further information was sought, particularly in respect of services for children with acute diabetes. Further details were also sought in respect of proposals for mental health services for children and eating disorders .
In reply to the issues raised, Sarah Mansuralli advised that there was an investment programme for 2013/14 in respect of dementia and this was already showing improvements in diagnosis rates and further data would be forthcoming on this. A ‘dementia café’ had been jointly set up by Brent CCG and the council and this was indicative of the progress that had been made in this area. Sarah Mansuralli added that treating dementia was one of NHS England’s priorities. In respect of outpatients services, the improvements would be delivered through competitive dialogue to achieve the appropriate model of delivery and it was felt that QIPP targets would be met at reduced cost. Members heard that a project initiation document was in place to deliver community health services and pathways and once a business case had been produced, budget details would be drawn up. Sarah Mansuralli drew members’ attention to page 70 in the report that outlined commissioning intentions for children’s services including mental health. She added that eating disorders amongst children was especially prevalent in the borough, however such a condition was addressed by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS).
Jo Ohlson added the CCG action plan provided specific details on how the commissioning intentions would be achieved, whilst podiatry services for diabetic patients would continue, although stricter criteria for access to this service would apply for non-diabetic patients. Isha Coombes added that there would be increased capacity for podiatry services. In respect of children with acute diabetes, she advised this would be addressed through both an acute provider and taking a holistic approach and would include the support of a specialist nurse.
The Chair requested that in future for all reports going to committee, any associated documents that could provide further detail that may be of interest to members should be referenced in the reports. She also requested further information on services for children with acute diabetes and the commissioning of Tier 3 services from the Royal Free Hospital.
Supporting documents:
- 3-Commissioning Intentions - covering report, item 6. PDF 52 KB
- 3-Report to OSC re Commissioning Intentions 2014-15 14 Jan v2, item 6. PDF 70 KB
- 3-DRAFT Commissioning Intentions 2014-15 V8 1 14 January 2014, item 6. PDF 870 KB