The Chair suggested reviewing the decisions made at the meeting held on 2 February 2016, to which members agreed. It was noted that the Committee would continue to receive performance reports on the implementation of the New Health Deal for Trafford and had received such reports for its 22 March 2016 meeting. In respect of the Falls Service members were advised that data collection would commence in April 2016 and as such this information would not be available until later in the year. The request for information on the Orthopaedic Centre had been provided to its 22 March 2016 meeting. The report describing last year’s winter resilience plan had been circulated to members.

Members requested Silas Nichols provided a verbal update on the delayed progress in implementing the £12 million capital investment for the Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department at UHSM. Silas Nichols responded that a business case was provided to the UHSM Trusts board last month and was fully approved. He said that £15 million investment had now been approved due to design changes; which was higher than the £12 million originally required. Enabling works had commenced and it was expected that supply chain partners would be appointed by April, and building work would commence in May. Silas Nichols added that the timetable remained the same and it would be a two year development. He outlined the stages of the development, explaining that the work had to be done whilst ensuring that the A & E remained fully operational throughout. The Chair requested that the verbal update be confirmed in writing to members to which Silas Nichols agreed. Silas Nichols suggested that the development of UHSM A&E become a standing item for consideration by the Committee to which members agreed. The Chair noted that members had recently visited UHSM and welcomed the development.

Members queried the progress made in respect of publicising the services and opening times of the Urgent Care Centre at Trafford General Hospital. Mary Burney responded that social media including Twitter and Facebook had been used; in addition to letters sent to GP’s and Commissioning Centres. She added that the letters included wider information and would become a quarterly update.

Members queried why they had not been notified of the publicity. A member commented that she could not find the entries on social media from key words. Members agreed that a diverse range of communication was needed including face to face. A member added that the road signs outside of the Urgent Care Centre were not easily readable and requested this be addressed.

Dr Nigel Guest advised that GPs held regular meetings and issued press releases regarding the appropriate use of services. Mary Burney responded that there was a 15% increase in attendances at the Urgent Care Centre since the new Communications Strategy had commenced. She said that Trafford Council and Healthwatch had been included in the Twitter publicity. Mary Burney outlined future plans which included visiting supermarkets; and an open day to which Trafford Council had been invited. She agreed that she would provide copies of all publicity circulated to members. The Chair said the publicity needed to be a combination of social media ensuring all relevant parties were included and the entries were easily searchable; and more traditional forms of communication.

Decision:

To note the progress made in respect of the Committee’s previous decisions