Agenda item

(To receive a report from the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership, which provides the Committee with an overview of the new service model; and a progress update with regard to the implementation of the mobilisation plan.  Senior representatives from the Lincolnshire Sustainability and Transformation Partnership will be in attendance for this item)

The Chairman advised that Mrs Sandra Harrison, an East Lindsey District Councillor had made a written request to address the Committee concerning the community pain management service.  The Chairman advised further that in accordance with usual practice he had invited Mrs Harrison to speak for a period of 3 minutes to address the issues set out in the report.

In her short statement to the meeting, Mrs Harrison expressed concerns relating to the fact that patients and stakeholders had been misled about the service contracted by the Lincolnshire West CCG to Connect Health.  The Committee was advised there had been poor communication with patients; and some spinal injections were no longer available from the Community Pain Management Service.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Sarah-Jane Mills. Chief Operating Officer, Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group and Dr John Parkin, Executive GP, Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group to respond to the issues raised.

The Committee was advised that best practice as defined by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) and the British Pain Society had reduced the number of recommended interventions; this included the withdrawal of facet joint injections and acupuncture.  It was highlighted that some epidural type injections were still available for painful conditions such as sciatica.  It was highlighted that the most appropriate care would be informed by clinical need, national guidelines, and shared decision making.  It was highlighted further that the new service brought many additional options for people living with pain, in addition to those treatment currently available.

The report presented provided details of the procurement process, the transition of patients; new referrals; locations; activity; and the challenges of introducing the new service.

The Committee noted that there had been some problems during the transition period, details of which were shown at paragraph 4 of the report.

The Committee was advised that Connect Health had established a Community Pain Management hub in Lincoln and were running 13 clinics across Lincolnshire.  It was highlighted that Connect Health had made repeated attempts to establish premises for a pain service in Stamford, but to no avail.  This had caused some problems with appointments, as staff in the Referral Management Centre were unaware of the geography and infrastructure of Lincolnshire and the challenges the local population faced with regard to transport.

The Committee noted that feedback on the service provided by Connect Health had been variable, details of complaints and compliments were shown on pages 62 and 63 of the report presented.

Reassurance was given that the new service was being proactively managed, with fortnightly operational and monthly contract meetings taking place with Connect Health; support was being provided to patients who were having difficulties with transition to the new provider; and regular contact was being made with Connect Health, to ensure that individual patient concerns are being managed or resolved.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         One member enquired as to when appointments would be available in Louth.  The Committee was advised that appointments would be made available shortly;

·         On the poor communication with patients and the lack of clarity regarding the new service, which was illustrated by some personal experiences, the representatives agreed to look at these outside of the meeting.  Some members felt that communication with patients could have been better, so that patients had a realistic expectation of the new service from Connect Health; and

·         Lack of public engagement in the process, and lack of knowledge by some patients that the service actually existed.  The Committee was advised that the service had been in operation for over 10 years with access to the service being via the GP.  Clarification was given that this was not a new pain service, just a transformation of an existing service, in line with guidance received.

On behalf of the Committee the Chairman extended thanks to the representatives for their update; and expressed concern at the unawareness of the additional 1,200 patients that United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust moved over in July; and to the mobilisation phase of the new contract.  The Chairman also requested that an update on the key performance indicators should be received by the Committee in three months' time.

RESOLVED

That a further update on the Community Pain Management Service be received in three months' time, which should include information of key performance indicators.