Agenda item - Presentation from Healthwatch Brighton & Hove on the Covid 19 Crisis

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Agenda item

Presentation from Healthwatch Brighton & Hove on the Covid 19 Crisis

Presentation from the Chief Executive of Healthwtach Brighton & Hove on Healthwatch activities  and patient experience during the Covid crisis (slides attached).

Minutes:

6.1       The committee saw a presentation from David Liley, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Brighton & Hove.

 

6.2       In response to a question from Cllr Appich on patient experience of GP services during the pandemic, Mr Liley told members that things were very different from the beginning of the crisis where all services had been caught unawares to some degree. GP services had very quickly adapted to the crisis, for example in moving to telephone consultations. Patients had experienced some issues with this service at first, as the sheer volume of calls mean that there were some long waits. This situation has improved, although some patients still report excessive wait times. Patients have also reported problems with some of the social distancing requirements at GP surgeries: e.g. having to queue outside the surgery in inclement weather even though there is ample space inside for people to wait. Again though, the situation is generally much improved from the early weeks of the pandemic. There were also very significant access issues experienced by hearing impaired people at the start of the crisis, although again services responded quickly once the extent of the problem was recognised.

 

6.3       In answer to a question from Cllr McNair on likely second wave scenarios, Mr Liley told the committee that no one could confidently  predict the form that any second wave of Covid would take. However, it is reassuring that the Local Covid Outbreak Control Plan looks thorough and robust. Emotional health & wellbeing is bound to be a major issue going forward, whether or not there is a major second wave: there is likely to be significantly increased demand for mental health support.

 

6.4       In response to questions from Cllr Powell on equalities issues and access to GP services, Mr Liley told the committee that most people (80%) Healthwatch had spoken with were happy with digital appointments, but a significant number (20%) were not. Healthwatch believe that a relatively large number of people have delayed presenting for diagnosis or treatment due to the Covid crisis. Responses to Healthwatch surveys have had a good demographic mix, and the CCG has involved Healthwatch in the work it is carrying out with city BAME communities.

 

6.5       In answer to a query from Cllr Osborne on which bodies had been quick to respond to the Covid situation, and which slow, Mr Liley told members that BHCC Health & Adult Social Care (including Public Health) had been very quick to respond and had done amazing work. The same was true of the CCG, and in general of senior NHS leaders. For example, Adam Doyle, the Accountable Officer for Sussex CCGs, has been meeting weekly with Sussex Healthwatch organisations. Dental services have been problematic, both in terms of providing access and of charging. South Central Ambulance Services NHS Foundation Trust (SCAS), which runs non-emergency patient transport in Sussex, has also been slow to respond to patient information requests.

 

6.6       In response to a question from Cllr Osborne on future priorities and opportunities arising from the Covid crisis, Mr Liley told the committee that the expansion of digital services offers great opportunities. An increased focus on care homes and on end of life care is also potentially useful, as these service areas need more attention.

 

6.7       In response to a question from Cllr McNair on the challenges Healthwatch has faced during the crisis, Mr Liley responded that staff and volunteers have been extremely busy. There is a risk of burn-out, particularly as routine work like post-discharge calls with Royal Sussex in-patients picks up as the hospital returns to near-normal activity levels. Healthwatch has received additional funding from HASC and the CCG during the crisis and this has been very helpful.

 

6.8       In answer to a question from Cllr Powell on the impact of Covid on community and voluntary sector (CVS) organisations, Mr Liley told members that many CVS organisations had been hit hard by the crisis, with much lower than normal levels of charitable giving. Caroline Ridley (HOSC CVS representative) added that this problem was particularly acute for CVS organisations that don’t do commissioned work for the council or the NHS as they have no income source to fall back on.

 

6.9       Rob Persey, BHCC Executive Director Health & Adult Social Care, responded to a question from Cllr Grimshaw on engagement with care workers, explaining that listening to care workers is a key element in the council’s Care Home Support Plan. The council communicates with care homes across the city on a daily basis and is always keen to hear the views of care workers.

 

6.10    In response to a question from Cllr Powell on PPE, Mr Persey told members that there is currently enough PPE, but the situation is being closely monitored. PPE is currently treated as clinical waste for disposal purposes. Going forward, the council is keen to explore opportunities for minimising the employment of single use plastics in PPE.

Supporting documents:

 


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