To consider and comment on Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group’s proposals on urgent care provision in Bedfordshire and the implications for Central Bedfordshire residents.

The Director of Commissioning, BCCG, introduced a report that outlined the proposals for an Urgent Treatment Centre based on the Bedford Hospital South Wing site in line with NHS England’s Five Year Forward View.   The Service would be provided by a GP-led service and would be available 12 hours a day. Appointments would be available through the 111 service and a walk-in service would also be in operation with a maximum wait of 4 hours.  

Modifications to the urgent care model would affect current services at the Putnoe Walk-in Centre which was under review pending a public consultation, the contract for which ended in September 2018.

Members welcomed the proposals and the additional facilities that would help care for residents in the West Mid Beds area and reduce numbers attending A&E.  However, it was paramount that services be communicated to residents, including extended hours, extended access and services available at Hubs.  In response the Locality Chairman and Communications Manager BCCG, advised an education campaign was planned for residents and GPs would provide guidance via their websites, through leaflet material and other methods available at surgeries.  Healthwatch would promote the new services through its usual advisory channels. 

RECOMMENDED The Committee: -

1.    Looks forward to seeing a successful urgent treatment centre on the Bedford Hospital site which will be accessible by Central Bedfordshire residents.

2.    Looks to see a successful urgent treatment centre integrated with the local urgent care service.

3.    Expects an assurance that the new patient pathways, as well as the current NHS 111 service, are clearly communicated to the public, GPs and other stakeholders.

4.    Requests an update for the Scrutiny meeting on 26 November 2018.