A 24-hour health service has been revealed as part of Kernow clinical commissioning group’s (CCGs) redesign of out-of hours (OOH) services.
The CCG is currently in negotiation with current providers to work out how best to run an interim service.
The current contract with Serco is due to end on 31 May 2015.
The CCG has decided to put in place a 12-month interim arrangement to enable the development of the new operating model in June 2016.
A 24-hour health service has been revealed as part of Kernow clinical commissioning group’s (CCGs) redesign of out-of hours (OOH) services.
The CCG is currently in negotiation with current providers to work out how best to run an interim service.
The current contract with Serco is due to end on 31 May 2015.
The CCG has decided to put in place a 12-month interim arrangement to enable the development of the new operating model in June 2016.
At a governing body meeting the CCG agreed that the 12-month time frame would not give Kernow CCG enough time to create “future-proof” services.
Dr Iain Chorlton, GP lead for out-of-hours said it is “not the right time” to commit to a give year contract.
Instead, the CCG will be consulting with the community and health workers to ensure out-of-hours will be fit for purpose for “many years to come”.
He said: “The interim service will be a stepping stone towards full integration – we will be learning lessons, what works and what does not work, and good practice will be taken forward into the permanent contract.
“Cornwall was recently successful securing its bid for the Prime Minister’s Challenge Fund. This gives us the opportunity to work together with general practice to explore different models for out-of-hours services.
“This is also a time of great change for health services in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Thanks to our Pioneer status and the Living Well Project, we have an opportunity to re-design locality-based services to benefit both the population and the NHS. We want to provide a clear and uniform pathway for all our patients, wherever they live in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, who need to use health services 24/7.”
Healthwatch Cornwall chief executive Debbie Pritchard said: “We were aware that the Serco contract would end in 2015, with NHS Kernow confirming this would provide an ideal opportunity to readdress how out-of-hours care is provided.
“NHS Kernow’s decision to negotiate an interim service delivered by current providers of health services up to 2016 should allow enough time for a full public engagement process, and we are reassured by this.”
