The Officer presented the report which highlighted a summary of the findings and feedback from both the pre-consultation and public consultation process which informed the Thurrock CCG’s decision to close the walk in service from April 2016 and reinvest the funds in four GP hubs across Thurrock.

The Officer referred Members to Appendix A – Evidence of completion of the Public Consultation Plan.

The Officer confirmed that the Corringham and Tilbury hubs were up and running. Open for three hours, 9.00-12.00am, on a Saturday and Sunday. The Grays hub was due to open by the end of July 2015 and the South Ockendon hub were due to be opened in September 2015.

The Committee agreed that more information on the locations and the opening times of the hubs was required so this could be more available to residents.

Councillor Gupta asked the Officer if the data received from the consultation was sufficient to make the decision to close the Walk in service which would have an impact on residents. The Officer confirmed that the report data was from the public meetings and consultation feedback. HealthWatch Thurrock also publicised and shared the consultation and consultation document at a further 700 meetings. The Officer confirmed that all the evidence received was sufficient.

Councillor Gupta asked what happened to the petition on the Walk in Service. The Officer confirmed that they had heard of such a petition but never saw any evidence and it was not presented to the CCG.

The Chair asked for clarification on why the South Ockendon hub is now located in Purfleet. The Officer confirmed that over the past six months they had visited four different premises and the Purfleet site was the only one that the CCG had agreement  to run the  weekend GP hubs. The Officer also confirmed that if you lived in South Ockendon or Aveley you would have the option to go to the Grays hub if you wished.

The Grays hub will be situated at the Thurrock Hospital. If a more central location became available the Officer confirmed that they could shift the hub.

Councillor Gupta stated that the hubs were not proper GP appointments but more for an emergency appointment. He stated that a patient is in more need of an appointment with a GP rather than an emergency appointment.

Councillor Halden asked the Officers where the funding had been found to open the hubs as the Walk In service had not yet closed. He understood that the walk in service had to be closed first so that invested funds could then be used to open the hubs. The Officer stated that the GP hubs were being funded by a pot of money awarded by NHS England. The money saved from the walk in service would be used to invest further in the hubs to develop them further.

A discussion took place on the challenges of GPs in the borough and how these were being addressed.

The Chair stated that he was broadly in favour of the report and that it was a step in the right direction.

RESOLVED

1.         That the decision of the Thurrock CCG Board to decommission the Thurrock Walk In Service from 1 April 2016 is noted and agreed by all members except Councillor Gupta who abstained.

2.         That the full completion of the communications and engagement plan which was implemented during the public consultation process is noted.