Issue - meetings

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Chair will provide a brief update to the Scrutiny Committee in relation to ongoing discussions on the flu vaccination programme for Winter 2014/15.

(NOTE: The Chair was of the opinion that this item, although not included on the agenda, should be considered as a matter of urgency in accordance with Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order to provide the Scrutiny Committee with an update this matter prior to the end of the current municipal year)

The Chair provided a brief update on discussions taking place between the Council, Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health England in relation to the flu vaccination programme for the 2014/15 winter period, following concerns raised locally about changes to the 13/14 programme implemented by NHS England with little prior notice to local partners.

The Chair reported that discussions had ceased, and that GP practices were purchasing less vaccine for the 2014/15 period than previously and that there was concern that this would not be sufficient to meet demand and ensure Stockport’s continued high performance in flu vaccinations.

Dr Stephen Watkins (Director of Public Health) and Dr David Baxter (Consultant in Infection Control) attended the meeting and provide a recap of the issues previously discussed at the Scrutiny Committee in relation to the flu vaccination programme.

Dr Watkins and Dr Baxter explained that GP Practices had ordered less vaccine because of the possibility that vaccinations provided at community pharmacies would lead to large stockpiles of unused vaccine. There was concern that the programme being proposed would dis-incentivise GPs and may lead them to terminate programmes early because they would be in direct competition with Community Pharmacies. It was emphasised that there was a place for community pharmacies in the programme, but that the process needed to be organised to recognise the work and effort put in by respective organisations and for remuneration to reflect that.

It was commented that the focus needed to remain on outcomes for residents, and that this point needed to be stressed to NHS England.

It was also commented that although there was very highly performing GP practices in Stockport, there were others where vaccination rates were more in line with Greater Manchester averages, and that this needed to be addressed locally.

RESOLVED – That the update be noted.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Chair will provide a brief update to members on developments since the last meeting in relation to the 2014/15 Flu Vaccination Programme.

A representative of Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Chair reported back correspondence and meetings that had taken place in response to concerns raised locally about the current flu vaccination programme in Stockport.

It was reported that while a final resolution had not yet been reached, significant progress had been made between NHS England and local NHS Groups to overcome concerns and safeguard elements of the local provision that had proven to be so successful in the past.

RESOLVED – (1) That the update be noted.

(2) That the Democratic Services Manager be requested to make arrangements for an item on an agenda later in the calendar year to discuss the vaccination and immunisation programme in Stockport.

This item has been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

A representative of the Democratic Services Manager reported that this item had been placed on the agenda at the request of the Chair.

The Chair reported on the recent decision by NHS England to introduce the Greater Manchester Pharmacy Flu Pilot scheme to Stockport to increase flu vaccination rates by enabling residents to be vaccinated at community pharmacies. The Chair stated that concerns about the scheme had been raised with him by various professional groups and organisations in Stockport because very little notice had been provided to the Clinical Commissioning Group/ Council and because it was unclear that the scheme would improve up-take in Stockport, where vaccination rates were amongst the highest in the country.

The Chair further stated the he had previously raised the matter with the Director of the Local Area Team of NHS England, who had also been informed that this item was being discussed at the meeting.

Dr Watkins, Director of Public Health, and Dr Ranjit Gill, Chief Clinical Officer of Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group, were in attendance and outlined some of the local concerns about the vaccination pilot. The main areas of concern were:-

·         Stockport’s vaccination programme was planned well-in advance to ensure adequate supplies of vaccine were procured and that those at risk were contacted. This approached had served residents very well in the past. Changes to the programme jeopardised future planning and dis-incentivised participation by GPs.

·         The pilot scheme had been introduced with very little notice and without sufficient time having elapsed since the start of the vaccination programme to determine that there was unmet need.

·         The provision of vaccinations to those at risk was most appropriately done under the supervision of their GP. Without that, opportunities to optimise treatment for those at risk would be lost, particularly at a sensitive time of the year when there was increased pressure on services.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The priority for all involved should be to increase vaccination levels and prevent avoidable infection and escalation of conditions. In principle any provider that could deliver and improve take up and access should be appropriately rewarded, including community pharmacies. The concern was that the pilot had not been co-ordinated with the existing programme and would mean that GP practices were taking the risk and others may be benefitting. The lack of co-ordination reflected badly on the NHS as an organisation.

·         Encouraging take up of vaccinations by those outside of ‘at risk’ groups should be encouraged and there was a clear role for community pharmacists in this. The lack of co-ordination and communication was disappointing and avoidable, and could impact on levels of uptake this year.

·         Given the national drive toward more consistency of care and GPs taking more responsibility for vulnerable patients, there was a danger of diminishing the role of the GP in that care by encouraging vaccination by other providers.

RESOLVED – That

(i)            NHS England be informed of this Scrutiny Committee’s concern and disappointment with their lack of consultation and communication with the Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group and Public Health Service prior to the implementation of the Greater Manchester Pharmacy Flu vaccination pilot in Stockport;

(ii)          NHS England be requested to ensure that meaningful consultation and engagement take place with NHS and Council partners in Stockport as part of the planning of the flu vaccination programme for 2014/15, and

(iii)         in the event that partners fail to cooperate on the development and implementation of next year’s programme, that the matter be referred to the Secretary of State.