Agenda item

For the Select Committee to consider the report of the review group on “Planning for future primary healthcare in Buckinghamshire”.

Contributors:

Cllr Chris Poll (Joint Chairman)

Cllr Isobel Darby (Joint Chairman)

Group Members

The Chairman noted the enormous amount of work put into the Joint Rapid Review and invited the joint chairmen for the review, Cllrs Darby and Poll to present the item.

The joint chairman thanked Members and officers for their hard work on the review. The following points were made:

·       The review had arisen from a belief that there was a lack of cohesion between healthcare and planning, which wasn’t working for residents.

·       The complex nature of healthcare across the county was highlighted in the report, the responsibilities of the Integrated Care Board (ICB), Primary Care Networks, and GP surgeries were examined in detail. GP Surgeries were mainly self employed practitioners with the surgery being a private business using an NHS contract.

·       The Planning service could only look at future demand caused by population growth. It does not consider the problems that already exist (for example, difficulties in getting a GP appointment).

·       The need to be realistic was recognised by the review group– local authorities are short of funds. The recommendations are realistic and positive, noting the scarce resources available to the ICB and the Council.

·       The review highlights the changing face of primary care. For example. more space would be needed in GP surgeries due to more patients being seen by medical practitioners (rather than GPs).

·       Use of CIL for funding new healthcare premises was explored by the review group, and it was noted that only the Wycombe Local Plan had allocated CIL specifically for healthcare.

During the subsequent discussion, the following points were made:

·       A member of the review group also expressed thanks to Members and Officers who had worked on the review.

·       It was hoped that the review would lead to more collaborative working, between the ICB, Council, and other partners.

·       The Service Director for Planning & Environment welcomed the review which he felt was very timely. He supported the recommendations made by the group.

·       NHS dental service issues were recognised, and mention was made of the NHS dental recovery plan launched on 7^th February 2023. It was noted that more affordable housing was needed for dental staff.

·       Members queried if the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment was still fit for purpose. It had taken 4 years to open a pharmacy on the Berryfields estate in Aylesbury.

·       Where S106 funds had been granted, it was noted costs could have risen if building didn’t commence promptly. In the case where the developer is completing the project themselves, this risk may be avoided.

·       The ICB’s draft Primary Care Strategy had been released for stakeholder engagement, it was highlighted that there was little discussion of estates within the strategy. The Service Director for Planning & Environment would look into the elements relating to planning. The regeneration strategy may investigate the provision of healthcare on the high street which could support those residents who don’t visit a GP.

·       It was felt by Members of the review group that Buckinghamshire Healthcare Trust (BHT) had been engaging well with the Councils planning team. This was compared to the ICB, where engagement and cooperation needed improvement.

·       Cabinet, as well as the Corporate Management team for Buckinghamshire Council would look at the recommendations made in the report, and formally respond to them. The Committee hoped that the review would be fully utilised by stakeholders and the recommendations accepted by Cabinet and the ICB.

The Committee reiterated their thanks for the review and approved it for Cabinet (expected 9^th April), subject to approval at the Health and Adult Social Care Committee.