Agenda item

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.     Clinical Commissioning Group

d.    Healthwatch

e.    Town and Parish Councils

f.      Patford House Partnership – Update on the Care Quality Commission report and actions

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

a)   Wiltshire Police

Sgt Gavin Brewster provided an update from Wiltshire Police, which in addition to the written report attached to the agenda pack, contained information relating to the area Calne as part of the Chippenham Community Policing Team.

The Area Board also welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, who along with Sgt Brewster responded to comments from the area board in relation to:

·       the deployment of PCSO’s in the Calne Area.

·       tackling excess speed on the A4 at Quemerford was welcomed

·       whether traffic offences and vehicles blocking roads should be included in the local priority

·       Plans for future speed detection and enforcement and the use of speed cameras

·       New speed restrictions on the A3102 – Oxford Road

·       Actions to tackle speeding on the A4 in Cherhill   

·       Retention of the Police Station in Calne

b)    Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board noted the written report attached to the agenda pack

c)    Clinical Commissioning Group

The Area Board noted the written report attached to the agenda pack

d)    Healthwatch

The Area Board noted the written report attached to the agenda pack.

e)    Town and Parish Councils

Bremhill Parish Council

Isabel McCord provided an update for the Parish Council and reported on highways issues that had been resolved, work on the governance review, review of the Neighbourhood Plan, partnering with Calne Without on various road and traffic issues, the culmination and launch of the Parish Councils history project.

Calne Town Council

Alan Hill provided an update on the Town Council activities and reported on the following issues:

·       Temporary traffic lights in New Road – It was suggested that the Town Council contact Wiltshire Councils Streetworks Team to discuss any Town Council concerns.

·       Route 55 bus service – this issue was considered during the Chairman’s announcements earlier in the meeting.

·       Public footpath from the A4 to Holly Cross – The Area Board noted that this issue was being considered by CATG and the Town Council should approach the Chair of CATG, Cllr Ashley O’Neill for the latest position.

Calne Without Parish Council

Ioan Rees provided an update for Calne Without Parish Council and reported on the potential for a Parish Council Bye-Election, the launch of the Parish Councils Facebook page, work on the Neighbourhood Plan, disappointment at the outcome of the recent planning appeal for Chilvester Hill, commissioning of a transport consultant to investigate 16 road safety sites, and parish council agreeing a precept of 0%.

Cherhill Parish Council

There was no update

Heddington Parish Council

There was no update

Compton Bassett

There was no update

Hilmarton Parish Council

There was no update

f)      Patford House Partnership – Update on the Care Quality Commission Report and Actions

The Area Board received an update from Emmy Butcher about the construction of the new medical facility adjacent to Fynamore roundabout and the recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) report.

The Area Board were informed that the builder selected to construct the new medical facility had recently gone into liquidation, although they had not started on site. Re-tendering of the building work was underway with associated costs being reassessed due to the impact of Brexit and Covid. The CCG had been approached for additional funding and the partnership were optimistic that approval would be granted. It was expected that work on the new facility would progress as soon as possible with a proposed opening date of spring 2023. 

The CQC carried out an unannounced inspection of the Surgery Partnership in May 2021, with the practice being rated as inadequate. The service was placed under special measures and was inspected six months later. The most recent announced inspection took place in November 2021to monitor progress against the action plan. Feedback following this inspection was positive from the CQC. The Surgery Partnership were expecting a more detailed report and a full re-inspection before March 2022.

In response to comments and issues raised during the meeting, Emmy highlighted the following:

·       Face to face appointments have been available at the Surgery Partnership since March 2021, subject to any Covid guidelines.

·       The merger of the three surgeries will improve the offer available to patients, with an increase in staffing and greater access to an increase in appointments. The impact of Covid on patients and staff could not be underestimated.

·       The inspection by the CQC was a time to reflect and focus on those areas in need of improvement and overall was a positive experience.

·       Patients are encouraged to book appointments via the Doctor Link online system as the current premises have limited space. Performance Indicators continue to be met in this area. The online system is always checked by surgery staff.

·       The CQC were working with the surgery to improve issues relating to equipment and staff training. Staff were committed to working with the CGC to turn issues around.

·       There was a shortage of GP’s both locally and nationally. The surgery were increasing its workforce to tackle these shortages.

Decision - To establish a Working Group to scrutinise the appointment system and feedback to a future Area Board meeting.