Hi I’m Philip Bond I am an Accord member as the Patient and Public Involvement Lay Member on the CCG Governing Body. 

 As the Covid 19 emergency developed new arrangements had to be made to enable the CCG to conduct business.  Initially there was a block cancellation of all meetings, however in early April, it was decided to establish a Covid 19 Risk Committee which meets on a Wednesday over midday each week.

The constitution and Terms of Reference of the Committee are presently being confirmed by the CCG Board virtually. We meet using Microsoft teams with everyone working from home. The group is made up of three Lay members Mark Webb (Chair and Chair of the CCG), Tim Render (Chair of the Integrated Audit Committee) and myself along with the Director of Public Health, Chief Executive of the CCG and Council) and CCG Director of Finance.

Obviously the situation changes week on week and some of the other work within the CCG on hold. Many decisions will need to be taken by either executives, Chairs of Groups or done by virtual meetings. It is an important role for the Risk Committee to scrutinise and challenge decisions and an Action Log is prepared for each meeting to report such decisions.

Information discussed at the meetings will be available through CCG sources in order that the Committee business is transparent. Like other CCG Committees there will be information that does not enter the public domain.

Gradually other Committees are meeting virtually using Microsoft Teams. I have, as a Lay Member, recently participated in the Integrated Finance and Audit Committee to deal with this years’ accounts and the CCG Annual report.

Obviously most GPs are involved heavily in their practices so the CCG has to make sure where there is clinical input, that the GPs time is used effectively.

The CCG still ensures, not just through my representation on key Committees, that the Community Forum and the Accord Steering Group have a key role to play as we move forward. As lockdown is lifted, the ‘playing field’ will be not be the same as before Corvid19.

Different challenges will face the CCG and the public engagement will be key to ensure our community is not just kept aware of the changes but also plays a part in shaping the future.  The Accord Steering Group has already met to discuss ways to engage and inform our Accord membership over the next few months.