HEALTH bosses heard of the critical and high-level “risks” facing services in the Bradford district.

The issues were discussed at a meeting of the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) at its Scorex House base and highlighted some of the challenges faced.

One of the highest risks, deemed as ‘critical’ is the re-procurement of the 0-19 service by Bradford Council with a “significantly reduced budget”.

The meeting heard this had been on the risk register for “some time” and other new risks had been identified.

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One ‘serious risk’ was the “continued pressure on West Yorkshire Urgent Care, Local Care Direct capacity to meet demand, resulting in deterioration in service and patient experience”.

‘High risks’ include the expiry of interim funding to support residents of Local Authority short-stay beds at Thompson Court, Norman Lodge, Beckfield and Woodward Court, “resulting in increased YAS (Yorkshire Ambulance Service) conveyances, A&E visits and unplanned admissions”.

Another issue classed as ‘high risk’ included: “Risk that children under 13 will be unable to access follow up STI screening and treatment following a medical at the Sexual Assault Referral Centre for alleged sexual assault, due to a gap in commissioning.”

The report also highlighted a risk to disruption to health and social care services in the district due to the UCI Road World Cycling Championships later this month.

Other serious risks include the financial position of the CCGs, plus adult and child autism or ADHD assessment or diagnosis, health outcomes for looked after children, as well as education health and care plans.

A No Deal EU exit is also classed as a serious risk, but a report to the committee said the impact “remains low” and an action plan is being reviewed on a regular basis.

In looking at the backlog of autism assessments for children and young people, reductions in waiting lists are expected by November this year, with a “steady reduction” in waiting list numbers over the next four years.

Meanwhile, an action plan has been put together to address how health assessments for looked after children can be completed in line with statutory timescales.

Other risks have been reduced. These include the Avicenna Medical Centre, which had been placed in special measures following an inspection from the Care Quality Commission.

The report says: “They are fully engaged with addressing the failings identified within the enforcement notices.”

Another risk was one relating to quality and safety of maternity services.

“The follow-up CQC inspection is awaited, however we have seen more impetus, attention and improvement from maternity services in how they organise themselves, how they are now internally communicating and engaging with staff has improved,” says the report.

“Staff’s incident knowledge and sharing of issues etc is also a improvement.”

A Maternity Improvement Midwife has been put in post to help address previous failures.