To receive a verbal report on the Rutland Memorial Hospital out of hours service from Mr Tim Sacks, Chief Operating Officer of the East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group (ELR CCG).

A verbal report on the Rutland Memorial Hospital out of hours service was received from Tim Sacks, Chief Operating Officer of the East Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Group.

During his introduction, Mr Sacks confirmed the following:

·         There were two distinct services operating at the Rutland Memorial Hospital; the daytime minor injuries service and the weekend and evening out of hours service.

·         The minor injuries service was run by Oakham Medical Practice and operated between the hours of 8.30am until 6.30pm; this had been extended from the previous closing time of 5.00pm.

·         The weekend and evening out of hours service was run by Derbyshire Health United who operated the service from 6.30pm until 9pm Monday to Friday and from 9am to 7pm at the weekends and on bank holidays.

·         Anyone who called the 111 service could be triaged and booked into an appointment slot. All Rutland GP surgeries could also book their patients directly into the service.

·         Walk–in appointments were also available but the next walk-in appointment may not be until, for example, two hours later as earlier appointments had been booked by the 111 service or GP practices. Residents may have had a different perception of a walk-in service and this was where confusion had arisen. Additionally, patients had been told incorrectly that they would have to call 111 and that a walk-in service was not available. Mr Sacks reassured the Committee that staff training had rectified this issue and the walk-in service was available and would be offered.

·         Walk-in patients were welcome to wait or could come back for their appointment time.

·         Emergencies would be seen immediately but otherwise all patients would be booked into an appointment slot.

During discussion the following points were noted:

·         Appointments for the service could not yet be booked directly via the website but this service would be coming in the future.

·         Although it was only the four local GP practices that could book the GP appointment slots, anyone, even if from out of area or not registered with a local surgery, could access the walk-in service.

·         It was difficult to assess the impact of the service in terms of reduced hospital A&E visits because of the various cross-county hospitals Rutland residents accessed. The CCG was however in the process of reviewing the impact of all commissioned services.

·         The CCG would be working with Healthwatch Rutland to promote the service as current advertising was limited and even the signage on the door was confusing and with no indication of operating hours.

·         To avoid any confusion, there was no direct phone line into the service and calls had to be made via the 111 service.

·         The term ‘minor injury’ usually referred to a cut, burn, sprain, bad bruise or a break. Confusingly Oakham Medical Practice also operated a minor illness clinic right next door but the two services were distinct and funded in different ways.

RESOLVED:

The Committee NOTED the verbal report and update on the out of hours service operating at Rutland Memorial Hopsital