LINk Meeting with Jim Hogan and Innes Richens

Terry Carter, Acting Chair, Portsmouth LINk, met with Dr Jim Hogan, lead GP for Commissioning NHS Portsmouth and Innes Richens, Executive Director NHS Portsmouth on Wednesday 29th February 2012 at Trust Headquarters, St James’ Hospital. The following information was exchanged/discussed.
The Acting Chair explained matters to do with the LINk A.G.M., the planned Elections, the 3 year membership rule and issues connected with individual/group membership of the LINk and the LINk Steering Group. He spoke about the Transition Group currently being formed. He also thanked Dr. Tim Wilkinson who had been a panellist at the ‘Any Question’ which followed the A.G.M., for his very useful contributions. He mentioned the resignation of the former Chair, Jock McClees but added that he remains a very knowledgeable and informed member of the LINk.
He spoke about the concerns which NALM (National Association of LINk Members) has about the transition from LINks to Health Watch, nationally.
Dr Hogan said that the Commissioners are still trying to establish a financial base line for the Commissioning process.
The following matters were also ,discussed:-
1) The present and future provision of Vascular Surgery in Portsmouth,
2) Consultations with GP’s where only one medical condition may be dealt with in a single consultation.
3) Cancelled appointments at QA Hospital
4) Matters to do with discharge from QA Hospital including transfer of patient information from the Hospital to GP’s in good time
5) Care Pathways
6) The need to further improve ‘signposting’ for the public’ i.e. how and where they can access services which are available.
7) The need to simplify information made available to the public concerning the structures ad different tiers of services available in the NHS.
8) The need to explain the Commissioning processes to the general public and how to involve the public over and above the Strategic Needs Assessment Data.
9) Ways of ascertaining the publics’ views e.g. the LINk Website and Blog(but there are very few postings on The Blog), questionnaires and Public/Group Meetings. It was agreed that the reason why the same topics often arise at meetings held in different venues is because the public perception is that these matters have not yet‘been cracked’.
10) The setting up of Reference Groups involving members of the public in connection with Vascular Surgery and Heart Problems
11) The Commissioners have decided to prioritise: - Care of the Frail Elderly and Heart Conditions. It was agreed that outcomes will need to be reported on over a reasonable period of time in order to ascertain what progress has been made
12) The setting up of Health and Well Being Boards by Local Authorities and how PALS will come within the remit of HealthWatch
It was agreed that there should be regular meetings between the LINk, Dr Hogan and Innes Richens during the Transition Period.