The Governing Body of South Reading CCG met in public on 4th June with Dr Ishak Nadeem in the chair as Dr Elizabeth Johnston was on leave
The Governing Body heard reports of progress against several of its targets for 2013/14. Firstlly, the proportion of diabetic patients receiving all 9 recommended care processes in the year was raised to 49% - a big jump if still far short of best practice. Secondly, the number of children having their immunisations in their first year was very close to the recommended 95% which should guarantee collective immunity against epidemics of childhood diseases. Sadly, the actual number was just 8 short of the target, losing our area about £60,000. But the number will be sufficient for effective protection. Thirdly, despite record numbers attending the RBH A&E department, a credible action plan is in place to return to meeting the 4-hour waiting target. Similar arrangements are in place for the diagnostic tests wating time target.
The Governing Body also heard about service developments for the coming year, including the new Hospital@Home service, which will start with the capacity to look after up to 10 patients at home across Reading, where last year the patients would have had to have been treated in hospital.
Mr Derek Fawcett, Secondary Care Consultant Governing Body member, raised his concerns that the piecemeal commissioning of services didn't allow for the overall strength of the acute providers (principally the Royal Berks Hospital) to be taken into account.