SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL

WELLBEING SELECT COMMITTEE – 24 APRIL 2018

SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE COUNCIL’S RESPONSE TO THE TRANSFER OF MOSS GROVE

PRACTICE, KINVER FROM SOUTH EAST STAFFORDSHIRE AND SEISDON PENISULA (SES&SP) TO DUDLEY CCG

REPORT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

LEAD CABINET MEMBER – (NAME) PART A – SUMMARY REPORT

1. SUMMARY OF PROPOSALS

South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula (SES&SP) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Dudley CCG have written to the Chief Executive of South Staffordshire Council to seek views on a proposed CCG Constitutional Change. Moss Grove Surgery in Kinver has indicated that they wish to transfer from SES&SP CCG to Dudley CCG.

The report sets out the proposed detail of the transfer and Chief Executive’s proposed response.

2. RECOMMENDATIONS

2.1 Members agree a letter from the Chair of the Wellbeing Select Committee is sent to both Staffordshire and Dudley CCG 2.2 That Members request a response on the issues raised in the letter from the CCG.

3. SUMMARY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Do these proposals contribute to specific Council Plan objectives? Connected District.

POLICY/COMMUNITY Yes IMPACT

Has an Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) been completed?

SCRUTINY POWERS No APPLICABLE KEY DECISION No TARGET COMPLETION/ N/A DELIVERY DATE

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No direct impact on the Council. FINANCIAL IMPACT

No. LEGAL ISSUES

As set out in main body of report. OTHER IMPACTS, RISKS

& OPPORTUNITIES

IMPACT ON SPECIFIC Direct impact on Kinver Ward. Yes WARDS

PART B – ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

4.0 INFORMATION

4.1 Background

South East Staffordshire and Seisdon Peninsula (SES&SP) Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and Dudley CCG are writing to a number of Partners to collectively seek the views on a proposed CCG Constitutional Change. Moss Grove Surgery in Kinver has indicated that they wish to transfer from SES&SP CCG to Dudley CCG.

A number of the GP partners at the Kinver Surgery also manage a practice in Kingswinford and they have started to seek the views of patients on a proposal to put in an application to merge the two surgeries. They have articulated their reasons for the proposed merger of the two practices as follows:

• Merging and transferring Kinver under the commissioning structure of Dudley CCG would improve access and choice to our Kinver/Kingswinford patients. As patients would be able to use services at both sites. • It is currently harder to offer patients of both practices extended hours or extended access appointments in the Kinver surgery. Combining both surgeries will give a greater ability to manage variations in ‘on the day’ demand. • There will be improved continuity of care. Currently, patients are sometimes unable to see their preferred doctor as they are working across 2 surgeries; if the transfer and merger were accepted then patients could see doctors at either site. • Merging would mean that it is easier to offer patients in Kinver access to nurse services for five days of the week. • Clinics available now to Kingswinford patients would be available to all patients. • Currently the partnership works and supports two CCGs and two NHS England area teams. This increases workload on an already stretched partnership management team. • Economy of scale across both clinical and administration areas in Dudley would be realised. • It is hoped that the merger will improve recruitment and retention of staff to both practices.

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It is not possible for the CCG to consider a merger application from practices in two separate CCGs so any proposal to merge is subject to a decision by NHS England on whether they support an application to amend the CCG Constitutional Boundary. This application is made by each of the CCG Governing Bodies (SES&SP and Dudley CCG) to NHS England articulating whether we support the proposal or not.

To support the Council in its response to SES&SP CCG a number of key points have been set out below to help us reach an opinion on this matter:

• Kinver Practice has a list size of approximately 5480 patients. • A vast proportion of these patients are resident in SES&SP CCG area. • The majority of patients currently choose to use the hospital services in Dudley. These arrangements and patient choice would continue regardless of the host CCG.

In the event of a CCG transfer the responsibility for existing contracts for health services would transfer to Dudley CCG, the intention being to maintain access to services for patients as exists at present.

• Although there will be a single health commissioner, arrangements for the commissioning of social care and other Council services will remain the same. • In the event of a CCG transfer, the funding associated with patients registered at Kinver would transfer from (SES&SP) CCG to Dudley CCG. • In the Event of a CCG transfer NHS England have indicated that the practice would not transfer with any proportion of SES&SP CCG financial deficit, this may create a challenge within that health economy. The application to NHS England is required by the 1st June 2018 with any agreed change happening the following April (2019).

4.2 South Staffordshire Council’s Draft Response

The deadline to respond to SES&SP CCG is the 15 May 2018. The following sets out a proposed response to SES&SP from the Chief Executive on behalf of the Council, however will be finalised following the Wellbeing Select Committee to discuss this issue.

There are three fundamental issues that need to be drawn out for further discussion. The first issue is who picks up the financial deficit given that any debt will remain with SES&SP CCG and not transferred to Dudley CCG and what impact will that have on other South Staffordshire based CCG’S.

Secondly confirmation needs to be clarified as to patient flows, particularly when they require community care. Are agreements in place and where will Staffordshire residents be able to access community health care services such as physio, podiatry, occupational therapy and nursing services? It is critical to avoid a postcode lottery for health care particularly around patients being discharged from hospital and their enablement packages.

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The final issue is the longevity of a surgery remaining in Kinver. Although nothing in the current climate some assurances should be given on how long a surgery will remain in Kinver.

5.0 APPENDICES

Appendix A – South Staffordshire Council’s Draft Response

Report prepared by: Dave Heywood, Chief Executive

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