Today I met with Dr Russell Hills, Chair of Surrey Downs Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), who are responsible for commissioning a range of healthcare services for patients in Esher, Claygate, Cobham, Oxshott and Molesey.
Dr Hills updated me on the progress and scope of extended access to GP surgeries to provide patient appointments outside of normal working hours. We discussed the broadening range of services being provided at Molesey Community Hospital, including the community medical team who provide rehabilitative services to avoid patients having to go to the bigger hospitals. Services provided there include health tests, monitoring and physiotherapy. Dr Hills also updated me on plans for future expanding services at the hospital.
I was also briefed on the expanding range of direct access to care that the CCG is facilitating across Elmbridge, for example, eye appointments, hearing appointments and mental health services. There are new mental health havens for children and adults that provide advice, support and signposting – as a first port of call – in Epsom, Staines and Guilford. There is a growing use of kooth.com, a website which provides online mental health support as well as direct access to councillors.
All in all, there are an increasing range of services that are being brought together to provide wrap-round care and deliver a step change in local health care services for patients. Surrey Downs CCG is at the forefront of bringing these services together and providing better care for the community.
