Issue - meetings
Healthcare ICT Infrastructure: Approval of the allocation of S106 and CIL Funding, totalling £1,502,608, for improvements to ICT infrastructure to improve access to and capacity of health facilities.
Meeting: 07/11/2018 - Grants Determination (Cabinet) Sub-Committee (Item 6)
Additional documents:
Decision:
Dominic Hinde (Public Health) presented the report regarding the allocation of funding to the NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to deliver ICT infrastructure in primary care and digital access for health services. This included a range of initiatives to enable patients to access services remotely.
The Mayor enquired and it was noted that the GSSC asked questions about the cost related to the development of a patient access mobile application given so many similar apps already existed. The GSSC questioned whether an existing one could be adapted for Tower Hamlets and asked if this could be explored. The GSCC also asked about other elements of the project and the plans to share the project with the NHS London Digital Forum. The GSCC also sought and received assurances that the project would assist with the aim of ‘channel shifting’. The GSSC endorsed the recommendations.
In response Officers provided an update on these issues. It was noted that the CCG sought to create a unique, locally centred interface which integrated with existing apps, and targeted issues prevalent to Tower Hamlets. Any apps which were linked to or adapted would have to be accredited by the NHS England framework which takes into account matters of Information Governance and Security. Whilst there was a risk of duplication, every effort would be taken to ensure that the project linked to the NHS London Digital Programme to avoid a duplication of work.
The Mayor then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report. In response to questions, Officers noted the need for the plans to link to the wider health service strategies and confirmed that the new facilities should provide a number of benefits, both for patients and GPs.
Members also sought reassurances regarding the costs of developing the new mobile phone application and how the Council would ensure that it secured value for money. In response, Officers briefly outlined the results of the tendering process and stated there would be a Tower Hamlets Officer on the project board for the app development.
Members also discussed the issue of ownership of the Intellectual property and whether the Council should explore the possibility of the Council owning a share of the IP. Accordingly, it was agreed that the first tranche of the funding should be released on the basis that the Council explore the possibility of the Council owning a share of the IP for the health app.
Members also asked questions about the continued availability of face to face GP appointments to those who preferred to visit their GP. Officers confirmed that the plans should help free up clinical capacity for such patients, such as the elderly
DECISION:
1. That the grant funding of £1,502,608 be approved to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG to provide digital access for healthcare services and to increase capacity in primary care through ICT infrastructure on the basis that the Council explore the possibility of the Council owning a share of the intellectual property for the health app
Minutes:
Dominic Hinde (Public Health) presented the report regarding the allocation of funding to the NHS Tower Hamlets Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to deliver ICT infrastructure in primary care and digital access for health services. This included a range of initiatives to enable patients to access services remotely.
The Mayor enquired and it was noted that the GSSC asked questions about the cost related to the development of a patient access mobile application given so many similar apps already existed. The GSSC questioned whether an existing one could be adapted for Tower Hamlets and asked if this could be explored. The GSCC also asked about other elements of the project and the plans to share the project with the NHS London Digital Forum. The GSCC also sought and received assurances that the project would assist with the aim of ‘channel shifting’. The GSSC endorsed the recommendations.
In response Officers provided an update on these issues. It was noted that the CCG sought to create a unique, locally centred interface which integrated with existing apps, and targeted issues prevalent to Tower Hamlets. Any apps which were linked to or adapted would have to be accredited by the NHS England framework which takes into account matters of Information Governance and Security. Whilst there was a risk of duplication, every effort would be taken to ensure that the project linked to the NHS London Digital Programme to avoid a duplication of work.
The Mayor then invited GDSC Members to comment on the report. In response to questions, Officers noted the need for the plans to link to the wider health service strategies and confirmed that the new facilities should provide a number of benefits, both for patients and GPs.
Members also sought reassurances regarding the costs of developing the new mobile phone application and how the Council would ensure that it secured value for money. In response, Officers briefly outlined the results of the tendering process and stated there would be a Tower Hamlets Officer on the project board for the app development.
Members also discussed the issue of ownership of the Intellectual property and whether the Council should explore the possibility of the Council owning a share of the IP. Accordingly, it was agreed that the first tranche of the funding should be released on the basis that the Council explore the possibility of the Council owning a share of the IP for the health app.
Members also asked questions about the continued availability of face to face GP appointments to those who preferred to visit their GP. Officers confirmed that the plans should help free up clinical capacity for such patients, such as the elderly
RESOLVED:
1. That the grant funding of £1,502,608 be approved to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG to provide digital access for healthcare services and to increase capacity in primary care through ICT infrastructure on the basis that the Council explore the possibility of the Council owning a share of the intellectual property for the health app
Meeting: 05/11/2018 - Grants Scrutiny Sub-Committee (Item 6)
Additional documents:
Minutes:
Dominic Hinde, National Management Trainee Public Health presented his report relating to the release of grant funding of £1,502,608 of section 106 and CIL resources to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG to develop and deliver ICT infrastructure in primary care and to improve digital access to health services.
Members were informed the project aimed to manage the demand for face to face GP appointments by developing a Tower Hamlets health app to enable patients to access more services remotely through digital mediums. It also aimed to tackle health inequalities by targeting increased ease of access to GP Services, including online registration in multiple languages.
In response to questions asked by Members the following was noted:
· Whilst Members were in favour of the proposals of harnessing the opportunities offered by technology generally, they questioned the £650,000 cost related to the development of a mobile application (para 3.5, line 10 in the table on page 129) when so many similar apps already exist. Had sufficient consideration been given to whether an existing one could be adapted for Tower Hamlets? The sub-committee was advised that the NHS has a London digital board and so officers will ensure that this is shared with that forum.
· Members asked about those who will not want to access services in the new ways. An important goal of the project is to free up capacity so that those with the more complex needs – estimated to be around 20% - can continue to access services as before and hopefully experience a better service as a result of the healthier residents using the new digital tools.
o ACTION: Officers were asked to clarify what the £650,000 for the mobile app comprises and whether the CCG have explored adapting an existing app.
Members of the Sub-Committee AGREED to ENDORSE the recommendation to the Grants Determination Sub-Committee subject to the clarification requested, to
1. Approve the grant funding of £1,502,608 to NHS Tower Hamlets CCG to provide digital access for healthcare services and to increase capacity in primary care through ICT infrastructure.