Issue - meetings

The Committee is asked to consider its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

Janet Cree and Vanessa Andreae jointly informed the Committee that the CCG had taken a decision to close the Parsons Green walk in centre.  It was reported that the CCG had sought special dispensation from NHS England to keep the walk-in centre open until the end of March 2020 and were awaiting the outcome of that request.  Formal notice of the closure would be made by the end of September.  Janet Cree explained that core standards for an urgent treatment centre included being open throughout the day, access to a doctor, access to urine testing facilities and routine appointments and these could not be met at Parsons Green. Janet Cree added that the CCG had initially thought that with slight changes the Centre could continue. The CCG had carried out a review in December 2018 which concluded that the Centre offered high quality services and value for money.  NHS England determined that it was not acceptable to continue to offer services from the walk-in centre and that there would be no other walk-in centres nationally.  It was noted that this was also the case in other parts of London such as Barnet.

Janet Cree continued that the CCG had looked at ways to fit the walk-in centre to the new standards or find an exemption that was sufficiently robust. The majority of the activities undertaken at the walk-in centre included ear irrigation and wound care, with most patients living in the vicinity of Parsons Green.  These were also services that could be provided by other GP surgeries and the CCG regarded this as an opportunity to work with the Primary Care Network.

ACTION: That the CCG will provide more detailed information about this to the Committee

RESOLVED

That the Work Programme was noted.