PARTNERS of the NHS Kernow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) attended the recent Bude Community Network Panel meeting, providing a briefing on the developing sustainability and transformation plan.

Karen Kay, a director of the CCG, and Dr Iain Chorlton, a GP from Gunnislake Health Centre and chair of the NHS Kernow governing body, attended the recent Bude Community Network Panel meeting on Monday, January 9, to inform the panel and members of the community of the developing sustainability and transformation plan (STP), which is aiming to improve health, wellbeing and the quality of local health services, through a ‘Shaping Our Future’ presentation.

CCGs are a service that is run by GPs, and is overseen by NHS England. There is one CCG in Cornwall, and over 200 nationally.

STPs were introduced by NHS England in 2016, as part of a five-year strategy to ‘improve health care and the system’s financial sustainability’.

Karen told the meeting: “Our aim is to get data in public health, and feedback from the public to see how we can start working together to create a better system.

“We want to make sure people are seen in a certain time, are well looked after, and receiving a quality service.

“The NHS has its own budgets and rules. We need to get to work together, to create one plan and one budget. We are focusing on what our plans are, and this is because we’re aiming to improve health care and the system’s financial sustainability.”

Karen then listed the threats and concerns that the NHS faces, which include people waiting too long to be seen; overspending; and conditions, such as mental health, not improving. She explained that instead of money being spent solely on acute hospital based care, it could be spent on medicine and helping people who have been ill and treated, to be able to look after themselves.

She said: “People are living longer, but are not aging healthily.”

The meeting heard that many people in society live with at least two or three different healthcare needs, which is another challenge for the NHS. Additionally, there are difficulties in integrating services, due to many services being spread out.

The STP draft is currently underway, and Karen told the panel that more plans will be released next year, when further decisions are made.

A gentleman from Week St Mary asked if local facilities are being made a priority, adding that he was concerned about Stratton Hospital.

He said: “The thing I’m worried about with care and hospitals, is that I can appreciate that there are differences, but the services have to come together.”

Dr Chorlton replied: “That’s what this plan is all about!”

A member of the public explained that patients sometimes have to see consultants in Derriford, Exeter, Treliske and Barnstaple hospitals, and that it takes a lot of time — especially for older people — to travel to all of these different places.

Karen explained that those with less specialised needs do not feel it is necessary to travel so far all of the time, whereas those with more specialised needs may not mind travelling to go somewhere.

A member of the public, Lucille Opie, said: “Is this coming out of Cornwall’s money? There is nothing you can do for us; it’s going to cost thousands of pounds — how can you do anything?”

In reply, Karen said: “There are about 35% of people who won’t need to be there, but can’t be discharged as there are no correct services within the community. If we could free 100 beds, think of how much money would be saved!”

Dr Chorlton continued: “What we need to think about is how we can redesign things to model a modern health system. There is more that is being asked of us, so this is an opportunity to say what you would like it to be, and how we can do that.”

Town mayor, Cllr Lea Deely, said: “The problem at Stratton is that we get someone from Barnstaple and Derriford who come and hold consultations and clinics, but it’s very hard to get someone at Treliske to come to Stratton.”

Dr Chorlton said: “GPs are very expensive people. You are asking them to come to see two or three people, when they could see them all somewhere else, and save more money when doing so.”

One lady thought the financial issues with the health care system is political. She said: “There is no way we can achieve what is planned in the STP with the current budgets. Cornwall doesn’t receive anything like other places do; we’re 34% down than everywhere else in the country — this is a political issue.

“We deserve an awful lot better; we are very deprived. The elected representatives must understand that the only change to come in funding will come with political lobbying.”

She added, addressing the CCG partners: “I really approve of what you’re trying to do, but it’s down to us — we must write to our MP.”

Cllr Deely said: “I am very concerned to hear that some people think our MP is not involved, because as far as I’m aware, our MP is very involved in this. Please do lobby our MP, and if he doesn’t do anything, then I’ll be very disappointed.”

Chair of the panel, Cllr Nicky Chopak, of Cornwall Council, said: “We really have to shout. There are political pressures, but it is up to the general public to say that it’s not all in our control.”

Cornwall Councillor for Bude, David Parsons, added: “We need to start talking to people at the top and bottom — so we can get the perspective from the nurses and the carers — so we can convince the people who are delivering care that it is the right way. Then you’ll be able to move things along much more quickly.

“To take 20% out of the budget is a big ask, but if we don’t do it, then things will get a lot more difficult.”

Karen then said that the council and CCG is jointly working on a plan, as well as collaboratively planning budgets.

A member of the public said: “I for one, as a taxpayer, putting my hands in my pockets and throwing money at the NHS, was appalled when a consultant was unable to pick up my wife’s details — who had been suffering with arthritis — from Holsworthy. Who is accountable?”

In response, Karen said: “We are working on it. There was a national programme, which didn’t work, but this is being looked at.”

Dr Chorlton added: “It is common sense, but if it was easy, it would have been done by now.”

Jokingly, Karen added: “All of that is before permission to share data!”

To finish the discussion on STPs, Dr Chorlton said: “The power of the people in Cornwall is vital. That’s how it’s going to show support, if it works or not.”