On Thursday 30th January I attended a stakeholder meeting of WHCCG.
Dr Sarah Schofield, a working GP and the Chairman of the Group, set the scene. The Clinical Commissioning Group plans and has the responsibility of buying your health care for a population of around 540,000 people. It covers 53 GP practices, has a budget of £580 million and an area of 800square miles (see map). The area includes 8 major providers (eg Hospitals, mental health provision etc) and 5 local authorities.You can be kept up to date with their work on www.westhampshireccg.nhs.uk

The event looked at the priorities set by the group for the community it serves.

These priorities are set in the context of the current health of our area.
The facts are probably what we would expect with some revealing exceptions.
The area has:
* a large population of over 65’s who live alone
* a huge rise in the birth rate which seems to be flattening off
* infant mortality below average
* teenage pregnancy above average in some areas
* generally healthy children- but with high attendance in A & E
* number of smokers below average
* obesity rates rising
* increasing alcohol related admissions to hospital
* significant under-recording of long term conditions
* those on cancer register above average (probably because we live longer here?)
* screening rates for bowel, breast, cervical cancers good, but with more to do
* ageing population puts dementia rates above average, and predicted to rise
* lower than average mortality rates for all causes

We examined the seven priorities: despite considerable effort by the CCG, there is always a bit of wordsmithing at this stage! But briefly they are:
1. Patient centred quality healthcare
2. For those patients with long term health conditions, keeping active for as long as possible
3. Emergency care services should be most appropriate for need
4. Ensure fully integrated care, empowering the patient to take control (Better Care Fund allows Health and social Care to be integrated)
5. Better services for patients with Mental Health needs, including those with Learning Disabilities and Autism.
6. Efficient pathways for health for communities
7. Innovative commissioning- to get the best start in life for children, covering maternity, birth and paediatrics.
8. Keep the use of medicines under control-to maximise effect for patients, and save waste.
9. Integrated and focused primary care for patients with complex conditions.

It was an interesting morning, with some very useful conversations with Dr Schofield and other GP members of the CCG, and providers of support in the voluntary sector.
We all talked about the fragmentary nature of healthcare- who do you go to first? The best place to go for first advice is to call 111. Although a national number, this is locally managed and staff are trained to direct you to the best pathway for your condition. It’s worth a try!

One recurring theme was about the patient being in control… and how do you avoid having to tell your story over and over again?
One member of our group told us about a data base where you can ask for your details to be held. Although this seems counter intuitive to the principle of holding of personal information, this is one that you might like to explore.
You can register (and subsequently update )your details & wishes on www.sayitonce.info

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