Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the new People and Health Scrutiny Committee.  She and the Chairman of the new People and Health Overview Committee would be working closely together to support the Cabinet and residents of Dorset.  The Scrutiny Committee would hold the Council to account in a constructive way.

Members, Dorset Council and NHS Officers were introduced.

The Chairman referred to the legacy work programmes from the Council's Place and Health Scrutiny Committees which the Committee would consider later on the agenda.  The meeting would provide an introduction to the Committee's areas of responsibility and give members an opportunity to identify areas for future scrutiny.  The Chairman then explained how the meeting would be run.

Overview and scrutiny is a statutory activity of the Council, its powers and responsibilities are set out in detail the Council’s Constitution.  The Council will appoint members to 2 Overview Committees and 2 Scrutiny Committees:

·             People and Health Overview Committee

·             People and Health Scrutiny Committee

·             Place and Resources Overview Committee

·             Place and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Each Overview and Scrutiny Committee will perform all those functions conferred on it by the Local Government Act 2000.

The Scrutiny Committees shall:

(i)              Challenge, review or scrutinise the decisions or actions taken by the Cabinet.

(ii)             Through the Call to Account process:-

·         Scrutinize and review decisions made or actions taken in connection with the discharge of any of the executive functions of the Council.

·         Consider petitions made in accordance with the Council’s Petitions Scheme requiring senior officers to be called to account at a public meeting of the Council.

(iii)           Through the Call-In process consider executive decisions.

(iv)           Provide clear focus upon the scrutiny of matters in relation to:-

·         The Council’s strategic approach to Dorset-wide objectives and the Corporate Plan

·         Budget plans

·         Transformation plans

·         The effectiveness of partnership arrangements

(v)            Consider matters referred through the Councillor Call for Action.

In the absence of any alternative joint arrangements having been entered into, the Overview Committee and the Scrutiny Committee with primary responsibilities for:

(i) “People and Health” shall be the Council’s Overview Committee and the Council’s Scrutiny Committee for the purposes of fulfilling the Council’s statutory duties in relation to crime and disorder;

(ii) “People and Health” shall be the Council’s Scrutiny Committee for the purposes of fulfilling the Council’s statutory powers in relation to health scrutiny; and

(iii) “People and Health” shall be the Council’s Overview Committee and its Scrutiny Committee for the performance of the Council’s statutory functions in relation to education matters.

Noted

To receive any declarations of interest.

Cllr Jon Orrell declared an interest as a GP working at the Royal Crescent Surgery in Weymouth.  He had a dispensation which allowed him to take part in the work of the Committee but would withdraw from meetings where topics relating to general practice were to be considered.  He would withdraw from  the meeting when the report on GP Access was considered.

Cllr Nick Ireland declared an interest as his wife was a Matron employed by Yeovil District Hospital.

In line with the Third Phase of NHS Response to Covid-19, Dorset’s NHS organisations are working on plans to reflect how they will work towards:

• returning/resuming health and care services

• prepare for winter and manage any further second spikes

• lock in the beneficial changes we have already seen

• take urgent action to tackle the inequalities that exist across Dorset and those that have been exacerbated due to Covid-19

• support our staff

The Committee received a presentation from the Chief Officer, Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (DCCG) on the Dorset Integrated Care System and Phase 3 recovery plan.

The presentation set out: how non-Covid health services were returning to near normal levels; how beneficial changes arising from the pandemic were being "locked" in; performance/activity requirements; activity plans; the Dorset Plan; key challenges; the mental health investment standard; winter planning and probable second spike; and high level timeframes.

In response to a question about access to Covid-19 testing in Dorset, it was explained that testing for NHS front line staff continued.  But there was pressure on how many tests could be done as equipment and resources to undertake these were deployed around the country based on need.   The number of people wanting to be tested had increased with tests at the Creekmoor Centre being arranged through the national system.  There was no local control over testing and the DCCG was aware of the issues and the impacts this could have on people returning to work and for care homes and others. 

A number of other questions were raised by members.  These included whether  unions supported longer working and flexible hours for staff; whether extra funding was available for additional staff for the NHS 111 number in order to cope with additional calls; the suicide prevention steering group; improved access to mental health services; drive throughs for flu jabs; access to ADHC services for children; the West Dorset pathway for gastroscopies; whether there was sufficient capacity in the system to cope with a second wave; and the closure of St Leonards Hospital.

In response members noted that:

·      unions had been involved in the changes to working for NHS staff during the pandemic although staff were moving back to their normal areas of work. Unions would be consulted about any permanent changes to staff terms and conditions;

·      information about the suicide prevention group would be provided outside of the meeting;

·      the service was struggling with the volume of NHS 111 calls.   However, it took time to recruit and train people to the point they could answer calls and the impact of the last few months needed to be considered along with future demands on the service;

·      mental health services had not the level of funding needed but additional national funding was now being provided.  An explanation of plans to reintroduce mental health pathway services and increase access for children and young people was given;

·      it was for individual GP practices and networks to decide how best to delivery flu jabs.  Practices were working with communities to identify sites for this and any views from members would be welcomed;

·      Covid-19 vaccinations would need to be run on a much bigger scale so it was more likely that this would be done on a similar basis to Covid-19 testing in order to get through the number of people needed to be vaccinated;

·      a briefing paper would be provided for the ADHD and CAMHS pathways for children;

·      Dorset  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4)b) of the Local Government Act 1972.  The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

(Cllr Jon Orrell had declared an interest in the item as a practicing GP at the Royal Crescent Surgery in Weymouth.  He left the meeting whilst this item was discussed.)

The Committee considered a report by the Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group (DCCG) which addressed concerns raised by Dorset Councillors about current access to General Practice and the level of service provision.

Members noted that the DCCG had responsibility for commissioning GP services and develop resilience whilst recognising the increasing demand for these services, workforce challenges and needing to keep residents and the workforce safe. A brief explanation was given on work on a digital platform developed to triage patients, work with Healthwatch to understand the patient experience and on telephone, video and face-to-face appointments.  The fact that the number of Covid-19 cases was increasing may need to services having to adapt further.

A member reported an instance whereby a lady living near to the Creekmoor testing site had been referred to Bristol for a test.  As tests were arranged through the national booking system, this was possible.  This was a concern locally but the only means of addressing this was by lobbying.  Communications were being used to get key messages to the public.

The Portfolio Holder for Adult Social Care and Health offered to pick up such cases.  She was aware that this was a national issue and confirmed that lobbying was taking place.  A briefing would be provided for members later that day.

Noted

To receive a brief presentation from the Executive Director People - Children which will outline strategy, approach and plans and possible areas of scrutiny for the future.

The Committee received a presentation from the Executive Director of People - Children which updated them on Children's Services.

The presentation explained the regulatory context and inspections undertaken, the Children's Services vision, the strategic context, shared values and principles with partners, the strategic planning context, the strengthening services plan, the Children and Young People and Families Plan 2020-2023, examples of projects already implemented - Dorset Children Thrive, Children's advice and duty, national and local drivers to change and the impact of this work and proposed future themes for scrutiny - children missing, school exclusions, special educational needs and disabilities, early help, annual report of the Children, Young People and Families Plan, Strengthening Services Plan progress and Educational Outcomes.

The Chairman thanked the Executive Director for her presentation and the areas for possible future scrutiny. These would be considered when members looked at their Forward Plan.

To receive a brief presentation from the Executive Director People - Adults which will outline strategy, approach and plans and possible areas of scrutiny for the future.

The Committee received a presentation from the Interim Executive Director of People - Adults, the Acting Corporate Director of Commissioning, Market Relationships, Major Contracts Over 65s and the Interim Corporate Director, Adult Care Operations which provided an update on Adult Services.

The presentation explained the statutory context, adult social care, key national drivers, the regulatory context, a diagram of relationships with other organisations and boards, current service locations, demographics, the care sector and resilience, pressures pre-Covid-19, Covid-19 and its impact, the current situation, a Better Life Transformation Programme, what good looked like and possible areas for future scrutiny - hospital discharge policy and impact, Continuing Health Care and Joint Health Funded, Home First, a review of health and social care packages outcomes from hospital and how Dorset compares to best practice, to review the home first model to ensure it is delivering the right outcomes for people, market resilience, to review improved outcomes for residents in relation to safeguarding, rapid review and preparing for adulthood outcomes, review care provision, and to keep under review local testing arrangements and capacity to meet the needs of the Integrated Care System.

The Chairman thanked officers for their presentation and added that the items for possible future scrutiny would be considered when the Committee considered its Forward Plan.

As the meeting was reaching three hours in length, it was agreed:-

Decision

that the meeting continue until no later than 1.30pm.

To receive the minutes of:-

(a) the Dorset Health Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 5 March 2020

(b) the People Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 20 July 2020

Noted

To consider the Committee's Forward Plan and the Cabinet's Forward Plan.

The Committee considered its Forward Plan which was an amalgamation of the Forward Plans for the Council's People and Health Scrutiny Committees.

As members now had a better understanding of the breadth of work to be undertaken, it was suggested that they needed time to consider this.  It was therefore suggested that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman would review the Forward Plan prior to it being considered at an informal meeting of the Committee.

Decision

That the Chairman and Vice-Chairman review the Forward Plan prior to it being considered at an informal meeting of the Committee to be held on a date to be arranged.

Dorset Council's Health Scrutiny Committee identified Liaison Members for of the NHS Trusts set out below.  The Committee is asked to consider whether it wishes to continue this practice and, if it does, to appoint Liaison Members for:-

The Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group

Dorset County Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

The previous Health Scrutiny Committee identified Liaison Members for Dorset NHS Trusts.  Members were asked to consider whether they wished to continue with this role.

In response to what was involved in becoming a Liaison Member, members of the previous Health Scrutiny Committee explained how they had undertaken this role and of its value.

The Democratic Services Officer was asked to provide some information about the role to help members with deciding on the benefit of having Liaison Members. Cllr B Pipe, Cllr N Ireland and the Chairman were happy to continue with this role as an interim measure until members were able to discuss the role in more detail.  It was suggested that the Committee consider these appointments at the same time as they considered their

Forward Plan.

The Chief Officer from the DCCG suggested that the Committee might like to consider appointing a Liaison Member for the new Poole and Bournemouth Hospitals Trust.

Decision

That the appointment of Liaison Members for Dorset NHS Trusts be considered at an informal meeting of the Committee on a date to be arranged.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee

from town and parish councils and members of the public.

Please note that public speaking has been suspended during the

Covid-19 crisis. Each question or statement is limited to no more than

450 words and must be electronically submitted to

helen.whitby@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by the deadline set out below.

The question or statement will be read out by an officer of the Council

and a response will be given by the Chairman. All questions/statements and the responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.

The deadline for submission of the full text of a question or statement is 8.30am on Monday 14 September 2020.

Details of he Council's procedure rules can be found at: Public Participation at Dorset Council meetings.

There were no statements or questions from Town and Parish Councils or members of the public.

To move the exclusion of the press and public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

There was no exempt business.