Cambridge and South Cambs Health and Care Forum - What You Missed

Cambridge and South Cambs Health and Care Forum 2nd April - Summary Report

Chair: Frances Dewhurst

Key Updates & Discussion:

Stephanie Ransom, Cambridge and Peterborough Integrated Care System (C&P ICS) - Medicines Shortage

We heard from the ICB pharmacy team about medication shortages and pharmacy closures. Members shared experiences of their own difficulties getting certain medications, such as drugs for ear infections and ADHD medication. 

Stephanie Ransom shared:

• 42% of patients affected; approx. 150 medicines currently in short supply.
• Shortages linked to multiple factors including supply chain, manufacturing, and post-EU exit impacts.
• There is a national team that looks at shortages and a local team to build supply chain resilience.
• There is still lots of medication wastage, where people build stock up over a long period of time. This cannot be returned to the pharmacy because of temperature and safety reasons.
• Department of Social Care has developed a medicine shortage tool.
• GPs now use mainly electronic prescriptions (called tokens). If you can’t get your medication from your nominated pharmacy, you can request a code to obtain your prescription from another pharmacy or the local hospital pharmacy.
• The ICB team will alert pharmacies if there are known shortages.
• Advice to patients: Don’t rely on one pharmacy. Only order what you need; check medications before leaving the pharmacy. Never share prescriptions.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

NIHR gave an update on research happening across Cambridgeshire at GP surgeries, schools and care homes. Members requested information to share with their practices and requested to see some of the reports recently completed.

Cambridge & Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT)

CPFT updated on their CQC visit. No formal feedback has been shared yet. They are launching of portal for dementia research for carers, patients and families. There is currently a five-year wait for an ADHD diagnosis; however, patients can access recovery college in the interim.

Healthwatch

Annual Summit is on the 8th October at the Marriot Hotel, Huntingdon. This will be available in the coming weeks to register via Eventbrite. Healthwatch are doing more Enter and View visits. Recently, Arthur Rank and Sue Ryder Hospice were visited. Previously all eye clinics across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Hospitals were visited - the findings are on our website. 

Jess Slater, our CEO, will be attending the next meeting in July to give an update on the 5-year strategic objectives and priorities based on stakeholder feedback.