Scrutiny Report Template
Scrutiny Report Template
Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Subject: Access to GP Services in Brighton & Hove
Date of meeting: 29 January 2025
Report of: Chair of the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee
Contact Officer: Name: Giles Rossington, Scrutiny Manager
Tel: 01273 295514
Email: giles.rossington@brighton-hove.gov.uk
Ward(s) affected: (All Wards);
Key Decision: No
1.1 This report provides information (see Appendix 1) from the Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) on access to GP services in Brighton & Hove.
2.1 Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee notes the information in this report and its appendix.
3.1 City GP services are provided by various GP practices and are commissioned by the Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB).
3.2 In recent years, access to GP services has become problematic across England. The issue is multifaceted, for example including problems recruiting enough qualified GPs. However additional demand, due to an ageing population and other factors, is also a major problem, with some localities seeing a situation where record numbers of GP appointments are being delivered at the same time as waiting times for appointments reach unprecedented levels. Poor access to primary care has impacts across the health and care system: for example by increasing pressures on emergency services when people who are not offered a timely GP appointment instead present for treatment at A&E.
3.3 Improving primary care access is both a national and a Sussex priority. Given the scale and the gravity of the issue, the HOSC Chair requested a report from the ICB on access to GP services in Brighton & Hove (see Appendix 1). The information provided by the ICB sets out in detail local GP practice performance, as well as providing information on improvement measures currently being planned or delivered.
4.1 Not applicable to this report for information.
5.1 None directly for this information report.
6.1 There are no direct financial implications resulting from this process.
Name of finance officer consulted: Ishemupenyu Chagonda Date consulted (06/01/2025):
There are no direct legal implications arising from this report. Name of lawyer consulted: Victoria Simpson Date consulted 8.1.25
8.1 None directly to this information report. Members may be interested in exploring how NHS plans to improve access to GP services will meet the specific needs of people with protected characteristics. Members may also wish to explore what measures are planned to ensure that a greater reliance on digital access to GP services does not negatively impact on digitally excluded people.
9.1 None directly to this information report.
10. Health and Wellbeing Implications:
10.1 These are dealt with in the body of the ICB report (Appendix 1).
11. Procurement implications
11.1 Not applicable to this report.
12. Crime & disorder implications:
12.1 None directly to this information report.
13.1 Members are asked to note information provided by Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) on access to local GP services and on plans to improve access.
Supporting Documentation
1. Information provided by Sussex Integrated Care Board (ICB) on access to GP services in Brighton & Hove.