Jonathan Weaver, Senior Project Manager, Primary Care, provided the sub-committee with an overview of the programme, which will enable patients to access the same day urgent unplanned treatment and will improve the integrated service across primary and secondary care.

Members were informed that details of the programme have been submitted to the Tower Hamlets Together Board and is a joint effort between primary and secondary care. The Royal London Hospital, who deal  with the Accident and Emergency department (A&E) and the GP Care Group, related to the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC), have collaborated on designing the patient pathway to ensure early redirection from A&E to the primary care same day access service, to reduce the demand on the UTC.

Mr Weaver noted that the both the UTC and NHS 111 contracts are due to expire on the 31 March 2026. This means that any pathway changes that are introduced require completion over the next few months, to ensure the procurement and appointment process for new providers is ready.

It was noted that the current pathway is not suitable for patients and does not provide value for money. Patients could be redirected within the same day access care program and primary care is approximately a third of the cost. The service will have access to patients' medical records, to enable quicker access to care, make referrals, and ensure patients do not return with other health issues shortly after.

Members were informed that a review was undertaken on patients attending UTC and findings showed that a large number could have been seen earlier if same day access care was provided. A Healthwatch survey was conducted with patients at A&E and 66% were willing to be redirected to a primary care service, if feasible.

Mr Wever provided details of the patient's requirements for same day access care, the choice for patient’s to decide if they want to be redirected and the locations in the borough where the service is available. The aim over the next 12 months is to redirect approximately 90 people to the programme a day, rather than the 30 people per day currently.

Details of the locations throughout the borough were given and the funding risks and business case outlined, to enable the programme to effectively transfer from acute care to primary community care.

Further to questions from the sub-committee, Jonathan Weaver;

•         Confirmed that a walk-in service at St Andrews Hospital site was in operation, however the new programme is by appointment only and  will enable more residents throughout the borough to benefit from same day access care, referable by a clinician, A&E or by NHS 111.

•         Clarified that pilot sites for same day access care services will be available at Cable Street, the Barkentine Practice, Newbie Place, Spitalfields and Wellington Way. This will ensure more capacity of patients and will include  monitoring the number of redirections from NHS 111. Each practice will also monitor the numbers to give a fuller understanding of the programme and patient feedback.

•         Explained that the North East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) will allocate £1.5m to the same day access care. This will be used to support the Urgent Care pathway. A further £500,000.00 is required from a business case, which will be made from savings in the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) via A&E.

•         Observed that discussions are ongoing with UTC staff regarding the best methods for initial assessment nurses to facilitate a redirection function in their role, to support the program.

•         Confirmed that work is ongoing with stakeholders, which include GP’s, the GP Care Group, the Royal London Hospital and Healthwatch.

•         Acknowledged that the current capacity level is 30 patients per day. The same day access care levels aim is to  redirect approximately 90 people to the programme daily. If patients’ need to go to the UTC, they will be transferred. The programme will be monitored and if an increase in numbers is feasible, this will be implemented.

•         Reiterated that the scheme will bring value for money and is beneficial to the patient. Residents who fit the criteria will be offered a redirection to the service and patients that have accepted it are satisfied. Satisfaction results can be shared to the sub-committee for review.

•         Confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the Royal London Hospital on digital technology to assist patients who have met the criteria to book in appointments more swiftly. Technology will also be utilized to access patients records to facilitate improved consultations with the clinicians and with the NHS111 system.

The Health and Adults Sub-Committee RESOLVED;

1.     That the presentation be noted.