Agenda item

To consider a report from the Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) providing a review of Urgent Care delivery. [To follow]

The committee considered an update on urgent care delivery presented by the Assistant Director of Pathways, York Place, Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), the Chief Operating Officer of York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals, and the Director of Urgent Care at Nimbuscare, who noted that:

·       Urgent care could be complex for patients to navigate, and following patient engagement an emerging piece of work was underway with system partners to better integrate services and improve patient experience of the system.

·       The out of hours service previously commissioned from a private provider was now being delivered by GPs through Nimbuscare.

In response to members’ questions it was confirmed that:

·       With reference to commissioning arrangements the ICB had to abide by national procurement regulations but its focus was on driving integration through local partnerships.

·       Since Nimbuscare had started delivering the out of hours service in April 2024, almost 100% of shifts had been covered in contrast to an average of 50% last year under the previous provider. Waiting times for a call back had been reduced and call queues were being cleared more quickly; data could be made available if requested. Quicker call backs helped reduce demand on emergency departments and avoid a rush of 8am calls to GP practices, with a wraparound service now being delivered by GPs.

·       Increased shift coverage had been facilitated by moving to the same digital platform used by most GP practices. This was more familiar for clinicians and had helped bring staff back to the out of hours service. Numbers of patients who were transferred back to emergency departments from out of hours or Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs) were very low. Part of this work involved educating the public around where was most appropriate to go, and partners were signposting patients around the system effectively.

·       There were currently UTCs in York (next to the emergency department), Scarborough, Malton and Selby. Next steps would involve bringing GP out of hours and UTC teams together to ensure a better experience for patients around the clock. The suggestion of linking the Klinik system to the out of hours was being considered.

·       A new partnership with the Yorkshire Ambulance Service was due to be launched to support paramedics and better facilitate treating patients at home. Based on early pilots, with advice and guidance around 50% of ambulance call-outs had been avoided. Direct funding for this was available until the end of March and it was hoped that data gathered would inform a decision to continue this work all year round. The Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adult Social Care was in attendance and noted the success of the pilot in bringing services together.

·       Patient public communications in terms of where to go would be carried out through the winter, and the Council would support the sharing of this messaging. The need to reach rural wards was highlighted.

Members then voted unanimously to support the work being done in this area.

Resolved:

                i.                    To note the report.

              ii.                    To request that a further update on urgent care be provided in around six months.

Reason:     To keep the committee updated on urgent care delivery.