Agenda item

This item gives an overview of the post-Covid service offer in North West London.

Melissa Mellett (AD, Local Care programme, NW London ICB) presented the update on the post-Covid service offer in North West London. She noted that a new service was due to open at Charing Cross Hospital in September. The goal of the new service was to reduce the waiting list to a maximum of 6 weeks for those waiting for the acute service. The recommended approach was to move to a community first model which would mean patients were seen quickly and then referred to the Post-Covid Acute Service if necessary. She also noted the post Covid population statistics and said there was a health inequalities programme focused on ensuring those numbers represented the entire population.

Councillor Amanda Lloyd-Harris asked how they planned to actively increase GP referrals and asked why they did not believe the current figures were reflective of the community. She also asked about the impact of isolation and asked if there had been a concerted effort to see those people face-to-face as it might be better for their mental health. Melissa Mellett said some GP’s had been referring at higher rates than others, and population health reviews suggested there were inequalities. Regarding face-to-face assessments – she said triage was done by clinicians and they would try to pick the best solution, while also considering patient need.

Councillor Lloyd-Harris noted the inclusion of digital tools and resources and asked what considerations there were for people who didn’t have access to them. Melissa Mellett said it was just one aspect of the service, people could still go to their GP.

Councillor Genevieve Nwaogbe noted that 127 patient referrals were accepted but 125 were returned to their GP. Melissa Mellett said in the beginning there were significant challenges with referrals from primary care settings. The digital record had key information missing so had to be sent back, but each of those cases was carefully managed and followed back into the service.

Councillor Nwaogbe asked if there was a breakdown of those rejected for further support by ethnicity. Melissa Mellett said the figures in the briefing showed both accepted and rejected together.

Keith Mallinson noted it seemed as though older people were not coming forward and asked if the service would be working with organisations like Age Concern to encourage participation. Melissa Mellett said each borough was running different engagement activities to get underrepresented cohorts to come forward.

Jim Grealy asked how the ICS was informing the public of the condition. He had concerns that poorer people were not being referred and there could be a need going unaddressed. Melissa Mellett said they were trying to ensure information about it was made widely available.

Merril Hammer raised concerns that some people had not been taken seriously by GPs at an early stage and would be reluctant to come back now. She asked how the service planned to reach those people. Melissa Mellett said she didn’t believe GPs hadn’t taken people seriously, but rather the symptoms presented could fit into multiple categories.

Linda Jackson asked if data was being captured about the difference the interventions had made to patients. Melissa Mellett said they had used the standard friends and family questions, but those were too generic. The digital Living with Covid service would provider richer data.

The Chair asked how the service was being funded and how to ensure it was sustainable. Melissa Mellett said it was funded by NHS England in one-off payments. Funding had been secured this year but was not yet secured for next year. She agreed it was important to find a sustainable solution.

The Chair noted Councillor Ann Rosenberg, who had suffered with Long Covid wanted to ask a question but wasn’t able to attend – she wanted to know if any research was being done to understand the condition. Melissa Mellett confirmed research was being done and offered to meet with Councillor Rosenberg to discuss it with their clinical lead. Councillor Lloyd-Harris suggested there may be some lessons from the beginnings of ME (chronic fatigue syndrome).

The Chair asked about support for children and young adults. Melissa Mellett said that was part of the second phase of the programme, Janet Cree was leading a workstream on the topic and colleagues could provide feedback at a future meeting.