Agenda item

(To receive a report from John Turner, Chief Executive NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group, which provides the Board with an update on the NHS response to the COVID-19 pandemic)

The Chairman invited John Turner, (Chief Executive of the NHS Lincolnshire CCG) to present the report, which provided the Board with an update on the NHS response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Board was made aware of the NHS England approach to the management of Covid-19.  Details of the four phases prescribed by NHS England were shown on pages 25 and 26 of the report.  The Board noted that Lincolnshire was currently in Phase 111, which was the full recovery and restoration of NHS services (from 1 August 2020 to, it was currently anticipated, 31 March 2021).

It was highlighted that Phase III guidance was very comprehensive, and that restoring NHS services as fully and as quickly as possible was a huge challenge to the NHS.  It was highlighted further that the NHS in Lincolnshire, staff and partners were all working hard and together in this endeavour.

The Board also noted that there was also a strong and welcomed emphasis being given to reducing health equalities, a role the Board had a strong interest in providing leadership in.  It was noted that within the East Midlands region the priority which has been given to health inequalities was reflected in the establishment of a Regional Strategic Transformation and Recovery Working Group on Health Inequalities, which both the Director of Public and the Chief Executive of Lincolnshire CCG were members of.

Page 26 and 27 of the report provided the Board with details as to how the NHS was aiming to meet the Phase III requirements.

Attached at Appendix A to the report was a copy of the letter of 31 July 2020 from NHS England relating to the Third Phase of NHS response to COVID-19.

During discussion, the Board raised the following points:

·       Appreciation was extended to the task ahead for the NHS over the next six months. The Board was advised that Lincolnshire had done well throughout the pandemic so far and that it was hoped going forward, this would continue.  It was noted that the welfare of NHS staff was paramount in getting Lincolnshire through the winter;

·       Timing of Flu vaccinations – The Board was advised that each CCG was required to have a Flu Plan; and that some GPs had already started their flu clinics, and that the rest would be starting their flu clinics in the next few weeks;

·       Available information concerning visiting arrangements at hospitals.  One member highlighted that from information received, the code system for visiting was not working very effectively;

·       Some concern was expressed that some care homes were still not allowing relatives to visit.  The Board noted that Lincolnshire had been fortunate so far in having low transmission levels in its care homes.  A contributing factor of this had been the Early Discharge Protocol. It was highlighted that the operational running of a care home was down to the home.  It was noted that some national care homes had adopted a no visitor approach;

·       Cancer treatment - The Board was advised that the Trust Board were considering a report shortly which would provide an update as to how the Grantham 'green site' model was working.  Reassurance was given that for both cancer and elective care, good progress had been made.  It was highlighted that the NHS in Lincolnshire were continuing to run as many essential services as possible, alongside Covid-19; and

·       The after effects Covid-19 was having on some patients. The Board was advised that although a challenge, this was on-going. The Board noted that side effects of Covid-19 were still emerging, as more research was completed.  Where there were long term effects of Covid-19, clinical support and treatment would be provided.      

RESOLVED

That the Covid-19 – NHS Recovery Planning report as presented be received.