Fenland and East Cambs Health and Care Forum - What You Missed

Fenland and East Cambs Health and Care Forum 10th April - Summary Report

Chair: Ellie Addison 

Key Updates & Discussion

Queen Elizabeth Hospital 

The Governor of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital reported that a new CEO for the group will be appointed soon. The NHS Trust have reduced their financial losses from £3 million to £2 million a month. This has meant losing some executive and admin staff. 

There will be a delay in the build of the new hospital until 2032. It was asked if Norwich is going to be prioritised and will the other hospitals get neglected. 

The Eye Hospital in Wisbech will remain.

A member of the public who is sensory impaired expressed the difficulty in getting to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital - there are not enough community transport schemes. Information team will look into this.    

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

We had a presentation with lots of discussion from the ICB Pharmacy team. People expressed concerns about the lack of advance warning for medication shortages. ADHD medication was a particular concern, with a person reporting having to travel to different pharmacies and being unable to order in advance because it’s a controlled drug.

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 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.
• Other common shortages have recently been Creon used for cystic fibrosis and pancreatic cancer and diabetic pens.
• Department of Social Care has developed a medicine shortage tool.
• Pharmacists are now using a WhatsApp group to support other pharmacies with shortages.
• Boots have a stock checker online – however, this is not always correct so call first before travelling.
• 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 Government is investing more funding into pharmacies.
• Newly qualified pharmacists are now being trained to be prescribers.
• Pharmacy closures: this may be due to a pharmacist being ill and the law states there has to be at least one pharmacist in the building to open.
• Advice to patients: Don’t rely on one pharmacy. Only order what you need; check medications before leaving the pharmacy. Never share prescriptions.

Die Matters Week 5th - 11th May

A representative from the ICB updated on events scheduled for Die Matters week. On 6th May there is an event at Wisbech Pavillion. The public can speak to the team and find out information about REspect. and power of attorney etc.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

NIHR gave an update on research happening in GP surgeries, schools and care homes across the Fens. There was a particular interest in getting into more schools to offer these opportunities, which is often difficult.