Agenda item - Primary and Urgent Care Services in Hove and Portslade

Report of the Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance & Law (copy attached)

9.1       This item was introduced by Dr David Supple, Chair of Brighton & Hove CCG.

9.2       Dr Supple told the committee that the local healthcare system was moving to become a more unified service with less emphasis on distinctions between primary and acute/urgent care. Primary (GP) services in Hove & Portslade have been vulnerable, due in part to the relatively high number of smaller practices operating in the area. However, the situation has improved overall with 3 large, stable practices but nevertheless at least 2 smaller practices remain vulnerable and are receiving CCG support.

9.3       Hove & Portslade residents do not present in disproportionate numbers at either the city Urgent Care Centre or at A&E. This suggests that primary services in the west of the city are functioning as well as elsewhere – if they were markedly poorer or offered worse access, this would likely be reflected in higher than average attendance at emergency care.

9.4       It is hoped that the Primary Care Network (PCN) programme will improve experiences of primary care across the city. It is however very early days and PCNs vary considerably in terms of ‘capability’; some will require significant support while relationships are established and historical challenges overcome. The model for improvement is based on better network of existing services rather than adding additional capacity in the form of new buildings at this stage.

9.5       In response to a question from Cllr McNair on how future-proof capacity planning is, given the amount of new housing scheduled for the area, members were told that Hove & Portslade is very unlikely to ever need an acute hospital, given the proximity of the Royal Sussex. At some point additional Primary Care capacity may be required; Hove Polyclinic has some potential to expand, particularly in terms of offering more out of hour provision. We may also see more of the existing GP practices jointly relocating to new, future-proofed premises.

9.6       In answer to a query from Cllr Barnett about the potential to open facilities at the Toad Hole Valley development, Dr Supple reiterated that the favoured initial direction of travel was to better network existing services via PCNs rather than to build new facilities. Although informal discussions have taken place around relocation of smaller teams to a single site, local GP practices have not expressed enthusiasm for moving to this development given its geographical disadvantages.

9.7       RESOLVED – that the report be noted.