Hertsmere Minor Illness Bookable Service

Hertsmere residents have access to routine and same-day GP appointments, extended access appointments, and out-of-hours services. However, Hertsmere lacks its own Accident & Emergency (A&E) facility, necessitating residents to rely on lengthy private or public transportation journeys to neighbouring areas to access urgent care - a considerable undertaking, considering Hertsmere is home to some of HWE most deprived communities. Low acuity A&E activity from Hertsmere could increase by approximately 27% over the next 2-3 years additionally same day primary care appointments account for between 45% and 56% of all Hertsmere’s primary care activity, with this activity set to increase over the next 5 years. To address this expected surge in demand and bring urgent care closer to Hertsmere residents, it is proposed to establish an Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) led minor illness service within Hertsmere. The ANP minor illness service will operate from one Borehamwood based GP surgery and one surgery in Potters Bar PCN. The service will provide capacity to see a total of 60 appointments (44 appointments at Borehamwood location and 16 appointments at Potters Bar location) a day across both sites (excluding weekends, public and bank holidays) – totalling 15,120 appointments annually. Given the detailed knowledge of the provider landscape, the need for a fair, proportionate process which enables a phased go-live in April 2024; it is recommended that HWE ICB enter the ‘Most Suitable Provider’ process under the new PSR regulations. The intention is to offer a 12 month contract with the option to extend by a further 12 months. The contract value split over the two sites is £400,00 in year one and £400,000 if the extension is mutually agreed.