Agenda item

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 30^th September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 September 2020 were accepted as a true record.

Arising from matters raised at the previous committee, the Chair invited David Eltringham and Jenni Northcote to address the meeting. David Eltringham initially gave a general position update on Covid-19 and the increase in data over the last week, with over 30 patients in hospital currently and sadly six deaths. He reminded members of the importance of following health guidelines to address the spread of the virus. Mr Eltringham spoke about the recovery work implemented after the first wave of Covid-19, updating on the reduction in waiting times for cancer patients. Linked to this were diagnostic services with 90% having been reintroduced. However, there was a shortage of MRI radiographers. In terms of outpatient, day case and elective inpatient activity, GEH was currently operating at a level higher than that prior to the pandemic.  This had been assisted by the opening of a new 30 bed surgical unit and theatre. An area of challenge for the local system was those patients waiting over 52 weeks for routine operations, which had been impacted by the pandemic. It was around 1,200 cases, had reduced to 900 cases presently and he spoke about the planned trajectory for continued reduction. Mr Eltringham outlined improvements to urgent care, the known challenges for the A&E department, and the improvements in performance when compared to the same period last year.

Jenni Northcote gave a short presentation to update on the phlebotomy service, with the sides comprising:

·       Phlebotomy service

o   Covid-19 impact

o   Community clinic delivery model

o   New sites at Bulkington Community Centre, Coleshill Leisure Centre and the Leicester Road Stadium

o   Patient feedback

·       Phlebotomy capacity

o   Clinic space at GEH had not been available

o   Capacity impact – 7,500 patients displaced from GEH creating pressure on community clinics

o   Social distancing requirements reducing the number of patients who could be seen

o   Resource diverted to keep the most vulnerable patients safe

·       Phlebotomy appointments

o   Appointment only service – to protect staff and patients

o   Appointment booking – an outline of the systems in place

o   Clinically urgent – appointments reserved for urgent cases

·       Phlebotomy waiting times – a table showing current waiting time data across eight sites

·       Next steps

o   Resource request to the Health and Care Partnership for system level support

o   Blood tests were required for a myriad of services and pathways

Questions and comments were submitted, with responses provided as indicated:

• It was agreed that a copy of the presentation slides would be circulated.
• Discussion about the blood test delays in Nuneaton and plans to increase capacity at busier times. There were difficulties in getting to the Bulkington site for those without a car. This site had been put in place to ease pressures at the Bedworth clinic and there was public transport between the areas.
• Further information was sought about the speed of Covid swab test results at the GEH. David Eltringham confirmed that swab tests were currently processed at the UHCW laboratory and took 24 hours. New technology was expected to be operational from the week of 30 November, which would increase capacity and provide rapid turnaround of swab tests.
• A question about increase in pregnancies following the first wave of the pandemic, but there had been no growth in service demand presently.  Many services were being monitored as the full impact of the pandemic was still unknown. An offer was made to brief the committee on such aspects in a few months.
• It was requested that thanks be communicated to all GEH staff for their dedicated service.
• A question about the resumption of ophthalmology and hearing clinics. GEH was restarting all services, including ophthalmology and audiology. Mr Eltringham spoke of plans to offer such services in ‘out of hospital’ settings and further information could be brought to the committee in the coming months.
• Discussion about the variance in phlebotomy waiting times across the north of Warwickshire and in Nuneaton this was currently 11 days. Also, the commissioning arrangements in the north of Warwickshire and the rationale for it. Further aspects raised were GP service provision and those for patients who were shielding, which comprised both protected clinics and home visits.
• The Portfolio Holder, Councillor Caborn confirmed the frequent meetings held with David Eltringham, himself and council leaders in the areas served by GEH. He recorded his thanks to all for the service improvements achieved. The Chair echoed these thanks to GEH and to both speakers for the updates. The Committee would welcome the further updates offered to future meetings.