Minutes for Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Health and Social Care) meeting, Nov 17 2009, 6.30PM official page

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Howe and his Substitute, Councillor C. Mainey; Deborah Jones, NHS Sefton, and Ann Brisbrowne-Lee, Sefton LINk.

Members and Officers are requested to give notice of any personal or prejudicial interest and the nature of that interest, relating to any item on the agenda in accordance with the relevant Code of Conduct.

The following declaration of interest was received:-

Member

Item

Reason

Action

Councillor Hill

No. 58

Personal – his wife is employed by Southport and Ormskirk Hospital NHS Trust

Took part in consideration of the item and voted thereon.

Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2009.              TO FOLLOW

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 October 2009, be confirmed as a correct record.

Dr. Karen Groves, Medical Director / Consultant Palliative Medicine, to give a presentation.

Dr. Karen Groves, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and the Hospice Medical Director at Queenscourt Hospice, Southport, gave a presentation on the Hospice, explaining that there were just 10 beds at the Hospice and that the average length of stay there was just 9 days. Some 50% of patients were discharged back home or to another place of care. Day care was also provided, in addition to an outpatients facility, away from a hospital setting.

Dr. Groves considered that public awareness of death and dying needed to be raised and responded to questions raised by Members.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       Dr. Groves be thanked for her interesting and informative presentation;

(2)       the Chief Executive of NHS Sefton be requested to report back to this Committee on the range of information and funding of the 3 hospices located within the Borough, in the context of end of life care; and

(3)       the Chair of the Committee be requested to consider publicity and raising awareness of the work of Queenscourt and the other hospices, particularly when preparing the next Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report.

Report submitted by the Chief Executive, Mersey Care NHS Trust.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive, Mersey Care NHS Trust, providing an update on the following:-

·        Capital Developments:

(a)    TIME Project (Mersey Care Footprint);

(b)    136 Suite Provision – Acute Sites;

·        Service Improvements:

(a)         Foundation Trust equivalent Consultation and Membership Recruitment;

(b)         Down’s Syndrome Dementia Business Case (Rebuild of Clinical Business Unit);

(c)         Department of Health Personal Health Budgets;

(d)         Electronic Document Management System;

·        Finance and Performance;

·        Visit from the Care Quality Commission;

·        Flu Pandemic Arrangements;

·        Contracting;

·        Recent Events/News:

(a)    High Secure Services;

(b)         Positive Care Partnerships;

(c)         Kirkby Community Mental Health Team – Move; and

(d)         Sefton Inpatient Units working with FACT.

Pat McGuiness, Mersey Care NHS Trust, also provided a verbal briefing on the temporary reconfiguration of the provision of care for older people within the Borough who were mentally infirm.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the briefing report be received and accepted;

(2)       this Committee expresses its concern regarding the effect of the current reconfiguration of care provided for older people who are mentally infirm; and

(3)            Mersey Care NHS Trust be requested to provide a detailed report back to this Committee on the reconfiguration of the provision of care for older people.

Report of the Head of Communications , NHS Sefton.

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, on current issues impacting on healthcare provision within Sefton. Information was provided on the following:-

A.        Good Rating for NHS Sefton

Following an independent report carried out by the Care Quality Commission, NHS Sefton had been awarded a higher rating in this year’s Annual Health Check results, being moved from ‘fair’ to ‘good’ for the quality of services. The inspection focused on performance over the past 12 months and reflected the improvements made to local health services. All core standards had been fully met in key areas like infection control and patient safety, as well as achieving year on year improvements against national targets. This included reductions in rates of healthcare associated infections like MRSA and C difficile, levels of childhood obesity, waiting times for cancer patients and improving staff satisfaction levels. More than half of PCTs in the North West also scored ‘good’ for the quality of their services and ‘fair’ for their use of resources.

B.            Providing Quality and Value into the Future 

In common with many other NHS organisations, NHS Sefton was facing a challenging financial outlook in 2009/10, due to having to treat more people than expected during the year. Savings of £8.4m were on target to be successfully delivered. Additional savings of £8.7m were also planned and £6.2m of this amount had already been secured. Until the financial situation improved there would be stringent control on all spend within NHS Sefton. In addition, healthcare providers across the Borough were working together to deliver better and more appropriate care, which ultimately would improve the quality of services for local residents. For 2010/11 NHS Sefton had a balanced financial plan.

C.        New Homes for Two GP Practices

Two GP practices had moved into new premises. Thornton PCT Practice had recently relocated from Halifax Crescent to nearby Thornton Family Health Clinic, whilst Kew Surgery in Southport had moved to a new purpose-built building on Town Lane. Patients at the Kew Surgery would have access to an onsite pharmacy. A local dental practice would also be relocating to the new site. Both moves would provide patients with more appropriate and modern healthcare facilities.

D.        SAM’s - the Launch for New Safety Initiative

A new initiative was currently being rolled out across NHS Sefton aimed at increasing the safety of staff. Lone workers in the organisation often provided frontline healthcare in a number of different and sometimes challenging environments. They would shortly be equipped with a safety device that used the latest satellite technology, enabling staff’s whereabouts to be pinpointed at all times. The roll-out of the system coincided with national Security Awareness Month (SAM), an annual NHS campaign promoting both personal safety and building security. A range of activities would be taking place highlighting the campaign amongst staff and patients.

E.        Free Lifestyle Checks for Sefton Residents !

As part of a pilot programme being run at 10 local pharmacists, Sefton residents aged between 35 and 75 years old were being offered a free lifestyle check to detect heart disease or diabetes. People would be able to have their weight, height and blood pressure checked, along with a test for diabetes. A range of lifestyle issues, such as smoking, physical activity and drinking habits, would also be discussed during the session. People could book their assessment by calling the Healthy Sefton service on 0300 100 1000. Healthy Sefton could also talk people through a range of other lifestyle services available to everyone living in Sefton, such as help to stop smoking, get active, manage weight and deal with stress or depression.

Councillor Webster asked about publicity for the above programme.

Councillor McGinnity enquired whether any of the above programme could be provided from the May Logan Centre, Bootle.

Councillor McGuire asked about the targets and monitoring of the above programme.

F.            Helping People Stay Well This Winter 

Whilst publicity remained ongoing surrounding swine flu, Sefton residents were reminded of the importance of protecting themselves against annual seasonal flu. Free seasonal flu jabs were available from GP surgeries and were recommended for those aged 65 years or over, adults or young people with chronic health conditions such as diabetes, asthma or chest conditions and those with lowered immunity. NHS staff were also encouraged to get their jab to ensure they protected themselves, their families and their patients against the serious effects of seasonal flu. 

GP surgeries would start receiving supplies of the Swine Flu vaccine during November 2009. Most people who suffered Swine Flu would have reasonably mild symptoms. However, some people were prone to more serious illness. The Department of Health was encouraging pregnant women, as well as patients with chronic health problems, to have this vaccine.  GP surgeries would shortly be inviting vulnerable patients to attend for vaccination.

Infection Control Week provided an opportunity to promote the simple precautions people could take to prevent many illnesses like colds, flu, Swine Flu and norovirus. There were a number of activities held across Sefton promoting good hygiene measures, focusing on the importance of thorough hand washing and regularly cleaning surfaces and door handles. The Infection Control team also reminded people of the “catch it, bin it, kill it” message.

The annual ‘Choose Well’ winter health campaign would be launched in November 2009, guiding people to the most appropriate treatment and service when they were unwell. The aim was to help people identify what option was best for them, from self-care and getting advice from a pharmacist, to using the walk-in treatment centre. The campaign was particularly important over the coming winter months, when health services faced the greatest pressure.

G.            Sefton gets Ministerial Seal of Approval

Secretary of State, Ed Balls, recently visited Linaker Children’s Centre to see how health and education were working in partnership to improve the lives of local people. The Government Minister also met with a range of local officials from NHS Sefton, Sefton Council, the Children’s Trust, and Southport College, along with the head-teacher and manager from the Children’s Centre, to hear how integrated services were supporting not just pre and primary age children, but their families too. The Minister heard first hand about the work going on at Linaker, and spoke to parents and professionals, including Health Visitors and Speech and Language Therapists. Ed Balls then went on to deliver a speech at the annual national conference of the Community Practitioners’ and Health Visitors’ Association held at the Southport Theatre and Convention Centre. A number of staff were also invited to give presentations at the three day event, raising the profile of NHS Sefton’s work. 

H.        Royal Visit for CHS Staff

The General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, Peter Carter, met staff from Community Health Services during a recent regional visit. Whilst in Sefton, Mr. Carter was given a tour of the Litherland Town Hall Health Centre. He praised the ‘exceptional’ services provided, along with the ‘excellent work’ of CHS staff.

I.            Litherland Town Hall Facility

Councillor Fenton asked about the number of residents from the Sefton East area who use the above facility.

Members indicated that the drop-in service for blood tests at the above facility had ceased recently.

J.         Burns Care

Further to Minute No. 47 H of 13 October 2009, the Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, reported verbally on progress regarding an initiative requested by the Department of Health for different P.C.T.s to work together to improve standards of care for burns. Consideration had been given to creating specialist facilities at Manchester and Wakefield, but for the time being at least, there would be no change to the existing provision at both Whiston and Alder Hey Hospitals.

K.            Children’s Minor Injuries Unit, Southport

Councillor McGuire reported that the last two meetings concerning the above facility had been cancelled and questioned whether there was really a commitment to develop matters further.

The Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, confirmed that commitments previously given regarding the above facility would be honoured.

L.         North West Friends of Homeopathy

The Chair indicated that he had received a letter from the above organisation.

RESOLVED: That

(1)       NHS Sefton be thanked for the report;

(2)       the report be noted;

(3)               NHS Sefton’s actions against recommendations and proposals contained in the report, and reported verbally at the meeting, be monitored as appropriate;

(4)               that the Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, be requested to provide responses to the queries raised under the item on “Free Lifestyle Checks for Sefton Residents”;

(5)       that the Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, be requested to provide information on the number of residents from the Sefton East area who use the Litherland Town Hall Facility;

(6)       that the Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, be requested to provide information in his next up-date, on the replacement service following the end of the drop-in service for blood tests at the  Litherland Town Hall facility;

(7)       that the Chief Executive, NHS Sefton, be requested to write to the North West Friends of Homeopathy, providing a copy of the letter to the Chair of the Committee; and

(8)       the organisation be invited to attend a meeting of this Committee in 2010.

Presentation to be made by Sefton NHS.

As Deborah Jones, NHS Sefton, had submitted her apologies, the presentation on the above matter was deferred to the next meeting of this Committee.

Report of the Strategic Director of Health and Social Care. 

Further to Minute No. 38 of the meeting of the Cabinet Member – Health and Social Care held on 14 October 2009, the Committee considered the report of the Strategic Director of Health and Social Care, regarding the activity and developments in relation to the safeguarding of adults in Sefton in Sefton

RESOLVED: That

(1)               the report updating on the activity and developments in Safeguarding Adults in Sefton be accepted;

(2)               further formal reports be received by this Committee on a six-monthly basis; and

(3)               the reports to be submitted to the Cabinet Member – Health and Social Care on a quarterly basis, on the performance in relation to Safeguarding Adults, be forwarded to Members of this Committee for information.

Report of the Technical Services Director.

The Committee considered the report of the Head of Regeneration and Technical Services on Sefton’s Affordable Warmth Strategy (SAWS), which had been fully developed since its publication in February 2007 and the first review in June 2008, led by Sefton's Energy Team and involving key partners from across the health, statutory, community and voluntary sectors.  The purpose of the second Annual Review was to reflect upon what had been achieved and to refresh the strategy, taking into account any changes in legislation and policies in order to ensure aims, activities and targets continued to be focused in the relevant areas.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the content of the SAWS strategy review, as continuing Council policy to underpin and expand its ongoing work in tackling fuel poverty, be supported; and

(2)            Members be invited to submit nominations for a Councillor Fuel Poverty Champion for Sefton.

Report of the Legal Director.

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director indicating that, in order to keep Overview and Scrutiny Members informed, it had previously been agreed to submit relevant Cabinet Member Reports to future meetings of Overview and Scrutiny Committees,

The most recent report from the Cabinet Member – Health and Social Care, submitted to the Cabinet on 29 October 2009, was attached to the report.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Cabinet Member report be accepted; and

(2)            consideration be given to holding a question and answer session with the Cabinet Member – Health and Social Care and Members of this Committee, on the work of the Health and Social Care Directorate, during spring 2010.

Report of the Legal Director.

The Committee considered the report of the Legal Director attaching the latest Key Decision Forward Plan that contained all the Key Decisions that the Executive was anticipated to take during the above period. The Committee was advised of its right to pre-scrutinise any Key Decision which fell under its remit.

Meetings of the Dementia Working Group remained on-going.

A site visit to Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust had taken place on 2 November 2009.

Arrangements were in course of preparation for a site visit to the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in January 2010.

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       the Key Decision Forward Plan be noted;

(2)               the progress and actions of the Dementia Working Group to date be supported; and

(3)               that the intention for a site visit to the Liverpool Women’s Hospital in January 2010 supported.