Agenda item

The Panel shall receive a service update from the Epsom Primary Care Network.

Speaker: Rachel Graville – Director of Operations

The Panel received a presentation (published subsequent to the meeting as a supplement to the agenda) from Rachel Graville – Director of Operations, Epsom Primary Care Network.

The Panel considered the following matters:

a)            A Member raised a question around residents accessing GP appointments and getting an appointment in a timely manner. The Speaker explained that each practice will have their own process for residents accessing their services. The new GP contract for 2026/27 states that practices will have capped access – the clinical decision around what services are regarded as urgent will remain at practice level.

b)            A Member raised a question relating to residents receiving support for mental health services. The Speaker explained that there isn’t a practitioner at each practice who will triage for mental health support – the elected GP would triage the needs case-by-case. 

c)            A Member commented on residents who are regularly attending GP practices – who also benefit from support from wider community services. The Member raised concerns about funding for the legacy and sustainability of the community-led scheme. The Speaker explained that the GP contract and Primary Care Network is changed each year. The Speaker explained that for next year, funding will move from ‘network level’ to ‘practice level’. The Speaker commented that GP funding is ‘safe’, however there is always a risk around sustained resourcing.

d)            The Speaker stated that there is an additional cost to run out-of-hours clinics and that approx. The Speaker stated that approximately 4% of patients use c.20% of GP appointments time.

e)            A Member commented on the success of GPIM and the impact of those with mental health and/or neurodivergence.

f)             A Member commented on GP appointment times – and the impact for both patients and those caring for them – linked to travel costs and accessibility to care.

g)            A Member commented on patients seeing the same GP when they visit the practice to receive care – the Member asked how this is sustained via recruitment/staff levels across practices. Speaker shared that most GP practices have an established and stable team of staff. Speaker recognised the positive effects of continuity of care for patients. Speaker went on and explained that when patients present at the practice with an acute need, then patients would be seen by the first GP available, however if the patient is able to wait, then practices would look to book appointment with the patients existing GP, in line with continuity of care provision. However, speaker shared that GP and practices are mindful of staff care and the risk of burnout due to high levels of appointments and requirements.

h)            The Speaker agreed with Members’ comments regarding waiting times/access to care for patients with mental health needs and those patients who are neurodiverse being too long. A Member commented that extended periods of waiting often causes increased anxiety for those residents in need of support.

i)             A Member stated that Community Levy Infrastructure (CIL) funding for this year opens on 9^th March 2026. The Member asked what type of applications would be beneficial to the Speaker’s area of work. The Speaker stated that some practices are not fit to deliver modern-day healthcare, due to physical structure of sites. The Speaker also stated that the PCN are struggling for practice space and consulting rooms and that expansion of GP space and an urgent-treatment centre would be helpful.

j)             The Speaker shared that some practices are rented while others are privately-owned. Cllr suggested that it may be worth exploring opportunities linked to CIL funding.

k)            The Chair shared that they had/continue to receive positive feedback from residents in relation to the GP online booking system. However, is mindful of those residents who are still not digitally savvy.

l)             The Chair positively supported the community events taking place – stated that communication is key to sharing events with local residents to receive positive health outcomes. Speaker noted that they are keen to link community events with flu clinic.

m)          An External Councillor Representative commented on CIL funding opportunities – with success stories across their borough via CIL funding. The Councillor commented on accessible community events and benefit of Community Development Officers working alongside residents – linked with the Chair’s comment of importance of communications of events.