Meetings

4.1 The Committee agreed to write to the Director General for Health and Social Services on a number of issues they wish to receive an update on. On receipt of the response, Members will discuss whether they wish to hold a further evidence session on Unscheduled Care with the Director General.

6.1 Due to time constraints, this item was not reached.

Background Briefing

Wales Audit Office Briefing

Dr Andrew Goodall – Director General, Health and Social Services, Welsh Government

Joanna Jordan - Director of Corporate Services and Partnerships, Welsh Government

Dr Grant Robinson – National Clinical Lead for Unscheduled Care, Welsh Government

3.1 The Committee decided to commence the evidence session with Dr Andrew Goodall, Director General, Health and Social Services, Welsh Government with the discussion on health board governance. As a result, due to time constraints, this item was not reached and will be rescheduled.

PAC(4)-04-15 Paper 4 – Update from Welsh Government

6.1 The Committee considered the updated paper from the Welsh Government.

PAC(4)-18-14(paper 2)

PAC(4)-18-14(paper 3)

4.1 Members noted the Welsh Government’s response to the recommendations contained in the Committee’s report together with the advice from the Auditor General for Wales.

4.2 Members agreed that the Chair would write to the Welsh Government seeking clarification on a number of issues.

PAC(4)-10-14 (paper 9)

9.1 The Committee agreed that reference should be made to the recently published WAO report on the Management of Chronic Conditions. A further draft will be sent for final agreement by email and Members noted that the report will be published on 24 April.

PAC(4)-08-14 (Paper 1)

5.1 Members considered the remainder of the draft report. The Clerks will prepare a revised version and send it to Members by email for comment. The Committee will return to the item at the meeting on 3 April.

PAC(4)-07-14 (paper 6)

9.1 Due to time constraints, Members considered part of the draft report and will return to this item at a future meeting

PAC(4)-06-14 (paper 5)

7.1 Members noted the additional evidence which will be reflected in the Committee’s report.

PAC(4)-01-14 (paper 1)

Dr Andrew Goodall - Aneurin Bevan Health Board

2.1 The Committee questioned Dr Andrew Goodall, Chief Executive of Aneurin Bevan Health Board, on Unscheduled Care

2.1 Dr Goodall agreed to provide a note to Committee on a number of issues raised during the session.

7.1 Committee considered the evidence received and agreed to write to the Director General  & Chief Executive of NHS Wales seeking clarification on a number of issues raised in evidence.

Dr Chris Jones – Cwm Taf Health Board

3.1 The Committee questioned Dr Chris Jones of Cwm Taf Health Board on Unscheduled Care.

3.2 Dr Jones agreed to  send a written response outlining the current position in implementing the recommendations of the National Out-of-Hours Steering Group.

6.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received on Unscheduled Care.

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff

Veronica Snow – National Programme lead for end of life care

3.1 The Committee questioned Baroness Finlay and Veronica Snow on Unscheduled Care.

Dr Mark Poulden - Welsh Chair of the College of Emergency Medicine

2.1 The Committee questioned Mr Mark Poulden, Welsh Chair of the College of Emergency Medicine, on Unscheduled Care

PAC(4)-32-13 paper 1

PAC(4)-32-13 paper 2

David Sissling – Director General for Health & Social Services/Chief Executive, NHS Wales

Kevin Flynn - Director Delivery & Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Wales

Dr Grant Robinson - Clinical Lead for Unscheduled Care

2.1 The Committee questioned David Sissling Director General for Health & Social Services/Chief Executive, NHS Wales, Ruth Hussey, Chief Medical Officer and Dr Grant Robinson, Clinical Lead for Unscheduled Care, Welsh Government on Unscheduled Care.

Action points:

David Sissling agreed to:

·       Share the checklist used when auditing primary care

·       Investigate further the percentage of GP practices offering appointments after 5pm and their frequency

·       Check the definition of ‘did not attend’

·       Send a note on the timeline of the implementation of the 111 service and provide regular updates on the service

·       Send a note on the Deanery figures for GP training

PAC(4)-30-13 (p1)

Dr Charlotte Jones – Chair BMA GPC Wales

Dr David Bailey – Deputy Chair BMA GPC Wales

2.1 The Committee questioned Dr Charlotte Jones, Chair BMA GPC Wales and Dr David Bailey, Deputy Chair BMA GPC Wales on Unscheduled Care.

Action Points:

Dr Jones agreed to send a copy of the ‘Sorted in One Go’ paper, ‘Solutions’ paper and figures for each health board’s spend/per patient/per year on out of hours services.

5.1 The Committee discussed the evidence received on Unscheduled Care and agreed to write to the GMC to obtain data referred to in the earlier evidence session.

PAC(4)-29-13 Paper 2

David Sissling – Director General for Health & Social Services/Chief Executive, NHS Wales

Kevin Flynn - Director Delivery & Deputy Chief Executive of NHS Wales

Dr Grant Robinson - Clinical Lead for Unscheduled Care

3.1 The Committee questioned David Sissling Director General for Health & Social Services/Chief Executive, NHS Wales, Kevin Flynn, Deputy Chief Executive NHS Wales and Dr Grant Robinson, Clinical Lead for Unscheduled Care, Welsh Government on Unscheduled Care.

Action points:

Mr Sissling agreed to send a note covering the 5 priority areas the Welsh Government is focusing on in the development of the national programme for unscheduled care, examples of initiatives to aid frail and elderly patients and how these are being promoted at both local and national level.

Mr Sissling agreed to send a note on the cost and future evaluation of the Choose Well scheme and the actual number so people accessing Welsh NHS Direct.

5.1 The Committee agreed to undertake an inquiry into Unscheduled Care. Specifically, they agreed to focus on local primary care, including:

·       the role of GP’s in unscheduled care

·       the nature of GP  contracts and their impact on unscheduled care

·       out of hours provision

·       the ‘111’ service

·       frequent user groups accessing unscheduled care

·       plans for future sustainability of unscheduled care

Action point:

The Clerks together with the WAO to prepare a scoping paper for the inquiry.

Huw Vaughan Thomas – Auditor General for Wales

Dave Thomas – Director of Health and Social Care, Wales Audit Office

Stephen Lisle – Performance Specialist, Wales Audit Office

2.1 The Committee received a briefing from Huw Vaughan Thomas, Auditor General for Wales, on The Wales Audit Office Report ‘Unscheduled Care’. The Auditor General was accompanied by Dave Thomas and Stephen Lisle. The briefing was supplemented by questioning from the Committee.