The Primary Care Commissioning Committee took place on 14 September 2023 at 10am. The meeting was quorate.
The full minutes with details of the discussion within the meeting will be included with the papers for the next meeting for approval at the next committee on Thursday 12 October 2023
The following key decisions were made in the committee:
Item 4: Minutes of the Meeting Held on 10 August 2023
Decision: The minutes were agreed as an accurate record from the previous meeting.
Item 5: Group Decision-making Matrix – Involvement and Engagement Testing
Decision: The Primary Care Commissioning Committee endorsed the additions to the decision-making matrix in relation to public involvement and engagement and supported the ICB’s commitment to engagement and involvement as set out in the ICB strategy for working in partnership with people and communities.
Item 6a:Slaidburn Country Practice – Service Specification
The committee agreed at its meeting on 10 August 2023 that its Chair and Executive Lead could take action to extend the existing Slaidburn contract for a further three months until 31 December 2023 if required. This was to enable the successful conclusion of financial negotiations with the preferred (incumbent) provider. A verbal update was provided which stated that the negotiations are progressing, and it was considered that the extension would be required and therefore agreement was sought from the Chair and Executive Lead. The finance model and contract value are currently being finalised, which recognise the atypical nature of this rurally isolated practice. As the specification is inextricably linked to the financial model, it is planned to bring both items to the October meeting of the committee.
Item 6b: Withnell Health Centre
Decision: The ICB Primary Care Commissioning Committee approved a market engagement exercise to be carried out in October 2023 for Withnell Health Centre. This request for information is a standard procedure in a procurement process which is used to inform the ICB’s decision on the most appropriate procurement option and the development of the service specification / service model.
Item 6c: NHS Lancashire and South Cumbria ICB Response to the Draft Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment
Decision: The Primary Care Commissioning Committee approved a response to the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments of both Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council’s Health and Wellbeing Boards. This was subject to an amendment regarding a refinement to the reference on removing any potential ambiguity in the last line.
Item 6d: Haverthwaite Surgery Premises - High Level Options Appraisal
Decision: The Primary Care Commissioning Committee provided indicative support for a relocation as one of the options to secure premises for the delivery of primary medical services for Haverthwaite Surgery in Backbarrow, South Cumbria. The committee noted that it will receive a relocation application/ business case at the October meeting in respect of the practice’s intent.
Item 9: Dental Access and Oral Health Improvement Programme
The Primary Care Commissioning Committee received a detailed presentation on the challenges with access to NHS dental services and an update on the priority programme of the Primary and Integrated Neighbourhood Care team to improve dental access.
Decision: The Primary Care Commissioning Committee noted the presentation on how dental services are commissioned, a background on the services in place and an overview of the planned dental access and oral health improvement programme. Recommendations were made from committee members to further enhance the programme of work and add clarity on commissioning, contributing to the ICB Board considering dental services at a future Board meeting.