Monica Scrobotovici, Healthcare Public Health Improvement Manager, presented the report that updated Members on the Long Term Condition Profile Card that had been created by the Healthcare Public Health Improvement Team to respond to the high levels of variation within primary care across Thurrock in regards to individual needs, available resources and overall quality of services. A presentation of the tool was given that identified a visual overview of each practice that focused on the Long Term Condition case finding and management whilst also included some of the potential drivers and secondary care outcomes. General Practices were currently being visited by the Healthcare Public Health Improvement Managers and it was hoped that that all surgeries would be complete by the end of October 2017.

Councillor V Holloway stated that the Profile Card was an excellent tool and thanked Officers for the amount of work undertaken. Councillor V Holloway asked how many Practice Managers had been seen and whether action plans were in place. Monica Scrobotovici stated that 15 out of the 32 Thurrock practices had received visits from a Healthcare Public Health Improvement Manager to discuss the Profile Card and had received a good response with 14 out of the 15 practices having action plans created.

Councillor C Holloway thanked Officers for the report and asked for any benchmarking examples. Monica Scrobotovici stated that there are no exact examples to give but stated that there were two practices from Thurrock in the same group and that all practices would be seen.

Councillor Redsell questioned whether it was only the Practice Manager that could see the information on the Profile Card. Monica Scrobotovici stated that yes either the Practice Manager or the Lead General Practitioner could view the Profile Card. Monica Scrobotovici stated that work was being undertaken closely with patient participation groups and would be taking versions of the Profile Card to these events.

Councillor Redsell stated that the comment box appeared very small and how could feedback from patients be recorded in such a small space. Monica Scrobotovici stated that further comments would generate an Action Step which would include further information to be provided in consultation with the Practice Manager.

Ian Evans questioned the frequency of site visits. Monica Scrobotovici stated that these were carried out quarterly but was dependent on the availability of Practice Managers.

Councillor Collins questioned whether the Profile Card had any impact of the number of patients attending accident and emergency. Mandy Ansell stated that the evidence so far was interesting and that new contracts delivered extended hours that would hopefully keep people away from accident and emergency, although it was stated that general practitioners in the borough offered a variety of different appointment slots.

Councillor Snell stated that this was a fantastic and a very important tool to help general practitioner surgeries to provide better service for patients and thanked Officer for the hard work. Councillor Snell questioned whether this tool was unique. Ian Wake stated that the Long Term Conditions Profile Card was seen as a model of best practice and would be shared nationally.

RESOLVED

That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee noted the progress that had been made by the Healthcare Public Health Improvement Team in delivering the Long Term Conditions profile card and commented on the programme of work.