The Information Briefings of Bromley Council on Tuesday 18 June 2024 covered several significant updates and reports, including the progress of King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, developments in community pharmacy, and the activities of the South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB). Key decisions and discussions focused on healthcare delivery, patient experience, and community health initiatives.

Update from King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Angela Helleur, Site Chief Executive at Princess Royal University Hospital (PRUH), provided an update on the King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She reported positive progress in elective recovery, with no patients waiting over 104 weeks and a target to reduce 78-week waits to zero by the end of March. However, challenges remain in bariatrics and orthopaedics. Cancer treatment recovery showed month-on-month improvement, and the backlog is expected to be cleared by the end of March.

Emergency care faced difficulties in February due to industrial action, but improvements were noted in March. Initiatives are in place to reduce delays in ambulance handovers and 12-hour breaches. The new Endoscopy Unit is expected to complete in March 2025, and a new MRI scanner is now operational. Financially, the Trust anticipates a larger-than-planned year-end deficit and is taking steps to address this.

In response to questions, Helleur clarified that the DM01 pathway ensures patients are seen within six weeks, and industrial action has significantly impacted appointment delays. The Trust is working on improving patient flow and emergency care, with a focus on same-day emergency care to reduce waiting times.

Developments in Community Pharmacy

Raj Matharu, Chair of Community Pharmacy London, discussed the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on community pharmacies. The Pharmacy First walk-in service is functioning well, though capacity and IT system integration remain challenges. NHS England and the Southeast London ICB have provided funding, but recruitment remains difficult.

Matharu highlighted that from 2026, all pharmacies will be independent prescribers, marking a significant change. The referral process to community pharmacies includes digital referrals, the NHS App, 111 Service, GP practices, and Urgent Care Centres. Feedback on GP to pharmacy referrals has been positive, with a 24-hour referral time.

SEL ICS/ICB Update

The Place Executive Lead provided an overview of the work by the South East London Integrated Care Board (ICB) and partners within the One Bromley collaborative. The role of pharmacists has expanded, placing additional strain on the workforce. The GP initial triage initiative is in use across the country, and feedback is monitored through the Patient Experience Report.

The Director of Public Health noted a national rise in whooping cough cases, which is being monitored. Bromley has a higher immunisation uptake compared to other parts of London.

Healthwatch Bromley - Patient Experience Report

The Sub-Committee reviewed the Quarter 3 Patient Experience Report from Healthwatch Bromley, covering October to December 2023. The report is shared with various partners to facilitate discussions on improving health services, including the introduction of a call-back service.

South East London Joint Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee

The Chairman reported on the meeting held on 1 February 2024, where the committee reviewed the consultation results on the reconfiguration of children’s cancer principal treatment centres. The committee supported the Evelina London Children’s Hospital as the preferred option for Bromley.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the Minutes Public Pack 12032024 Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee.