Agenda item

(To receive a report from Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group (LWCCG), which provides the Committee with an update regarding the mobilisation of the new Community Pain Management service and the actions taken to address feedback from patients and colleagues. Sarah-Jane Mills, Chief Operating Officer LWCCG and other senior representatives from the LWCCG will be in attendance for this item) 

The Chairman welcomed to the Committee Sarah-Jane Mills, Chief Operating Officer, Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group.

The report circulated provided the Committee with an update on the mobilisation of the new service and the actions that had been taken to address feedback from patients and colleagues.

The Committee was advised that Lincolnshire CCGs closely monitored the performance of the Community Pain Management Service run by Connect Health in both terms of both access and quality.

It was reported that accessibility for patients had improved, Connect Health had mobilised 14 clinic locations across the county, details of which were shown on pages 70 and 71 of the report.  It was noted that the average waiting time from referral to first appointment offered was 22 working days with 100% of all patients initiating their second phase of treatment within 40 working days. Information relating to the skill mix of multi-disciplinary pain management clinicians was shown on page 71 of the report.  It was noted that the greatest number of referrals into CPMS had been from the Lincolnshire East region. The Committee was advised that currently the longest waiting times causing concern was for patients who had transitioned to the CPMS who required a Consultant appointment, but it was anticipated that demand on consultant appointments would reduce.   

It was reported that Connect Health were working with the CCG's Medicines Management Optimisation Service and local prescribing forums to help address the issues in Lincolnshire in relation to the high prescribing of pain management medications, particularly, opioid based medication.

The Committee noted that new service users were very complimentary about the CPMS.  It was noted further that complaints were reducing; and that the main theme from recent complaints had been with regard to the expectations of patients transitioning to the CPMS; and the provision of repeated PLCV injections.  Page 75 of the report provided some patient feedback comments for the Committee to consider.  Comments from friends and family between October and December 2019 were shown on page 81 of the report.

In conclusion, the Committee was advised that Connect Health were working very hard to mobilise a complex multi-faceted service based on 'Best Practice' and recognised by the British Pain Society and NICE.  Recognition was given that the mobilisation of the new service had been challenging and had not provided a positive experience for some patients.  Reassurance was given that the CCG and Connect Health would continue to work together to address issues highlighted by patients who had transitioned from previous services.

During discussion, the Committee raised the following issues:-

·         That office staff needed better information to be able to provide help and guidance; and that there needed to be more follow up from office staff;

·         That the transitioning stage could have been better managed if there had been better communication;

·         Long travelling distance of some patients to access the service.  Confirmation was given that capacity match was being looked into particularly in the east of the county;

·         Consultant capacity – Reassurance was given that in Lincolnshire capacity would be re-aligned and at the moment there was no plans for this to be reduced;

·         How far it was expected that complaints would reduce during 2020 – Confirmation was given that it was hoped that complaints would be lower than 2% for 2020;

·         Reassurance was sought as to whether sub-contractors were committed to NICE guidelines.  The Committee was advised that in accordance with the contract specifications, sub-contractors would need to evidence that they met the NICE guidelines;

·         A request was made for up to date feedback, especially negative comments which were missing from the report presented, as well as activity reports and key milestone outcome measures. The Committee was advised that this information was available and could be shared with the Committee; and

·         Where additional sites were being considered for the mobile injection facility.  The Committee was advised that consideration was being given to sites at Grantham, Sleaford, Skegness, Louth and Boston.

On behalf of the Committee, the Chairman extended thanks to the Chief Operating Officer, Lincolnshire West Clinical Commissioning Group for the update; but some disappointment was expressed that full feedback had not been provided.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Community Pain Management Service update be received.

2.    That the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire receive a further report in six months' time (22 July 2020), which should include full feedback reports, including more detail on complaints, activity reports and key milestone outcome measures.

The Committee adjourned at 12.30pm and re-convened at 13.55pm.

Additional apologies for absence for the afternoon part of the meeting were received from Councillors M T Fido, R J Kendrick, L Hagues (North Kesteven District Council) and Dr B Wookey (Healthwatch Lincolnshire).