Agenda and minutes

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interest as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

N Ireland declared an interest in respect of agenda item 8 (Somerset Hyperacute Stroke Case for Change) specifically with regard to the following; his partner is a Governor (appointed by Dorset Council) to Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust; daughter is a junior doctor who has worked in Dorset and Somerset for various Trusts over the past year; and partner is a Matron/Service Manager at Yeovil District Hospital.  Her services include Anaesthetics, ITU, Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 May 2022 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any updates from the chairman of the committee.

There were no updates from the Chairman for the meeting.

Representatives of town or parish councils and members of the public who live, work or represent an organisation within the Dorset Council area are welcome to submit up to two questions or two statements for each meeting.  Alternatively, you could submit one question and one statement for each meeting.  

All submissions must be emailed in full to george.dare@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday, 14 July 2022.

When submitting your question(s) and/or statement(s) please note that: 

·       no more than three minutes will be allowed for any one question or statement to be asked/read  

·       a question may include a short pre-amble to set the context and this will be included within the three minute period 

·       please note that sub divided questions count towards your total of two 

·       when submitting a question please indicate who the question is for (e.g. the name of the committee or Portfolio Holder) 

·       Include your name, address and contact details.  Only your name will be published but we may need your other details to contact you about your question or statement in advance of the meeting. 

·       questions and statements received in line with the council’s rules for public participation will be published as a supplement to the agenda 

·       all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting.   

Dorset Council Constitution Procedure Rule 9 

There were no questions or statements from members of the public or local organisations.

To receive questions submitted by councillors.  

Councillors can submit up to two valid questions at each meeting and sub divided questions count towards this total.   Questions and statements received will be published as a supplement to the agenda and all questions, statements and responses will be published in full within the minutes of the meeting. 

The submissions must be emailed in full to george.dare@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk by 8.30am on Thursday, 14 July 2022.

Dorset Council Constitution – Procedure Rule 13 

There were no questions from councillors.

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.

There were no urgent items.

To receive a report by the Programme Manager for Stroke, Neurorehabilitation, and Community Hospitals.

The committee received a report from the Programme Manager, Stroke, Neurorehabilitation and Community Hospitals, with regard to a stroke strategy and recommendations for how the national ambitions across the stroke pathway could be delivered by the systems in place in Somerset.  The report covered the recommendation around  the way Hyper Acute Stroke Unit and Transient Ischaemic Attack services were provided in Somerset.  The report provided an update on progress, the options appraisal process and engagement with Dorset representatives.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and discussion was held in the following areas:

·            Staffing issues in this area

·            The current position with engagement to be held and short listing of options

·            Recognition of the crucial importance of getting treatment within the first hour and the level of service proposed in the different options

·            The impact of travel times in rural areas

·            The links between service provision within Dorset and Somerset

·            Work being undertaken within the Integrated Care System on the investment in stroke services in the western area of Dorset

·            Ambulance crews would make a decision based on judgement of the appropriate hospital to attend with a patient.

Due to a technical issue, Dr Robert Whiting, who was attending remotely, could not be heard by those present in the Council Chamber.  The Chairman asked that Dr Whiting submit any comments to the committee in writing, following the meeting.

A further report would be brought to the relevant overview or scrutiny committee for response at an appropriate time, in line with the consultation to be undertaken.

It was proposed by J Orrell seconded by L O’Leary

Decision

That the People and Health Scrutiny Committee support the need for Thrombolysis as close to patients as possible with the opportunity to transfer for further treatment as required.

The Chairman thanked all internal and external attendees for their contribution to the discussion.

To receive a report on behalf of NHS England – South West, Direct Commissioning. (Report to follow).

The committee received and considered a report on dental access for adults and children in Dorset.

The committee had been joined remotely by Dr Louise Farbus, Head of Stakeholder Engagement, Direct Commissioning NHS and Tessa Fielding, Programme Manager for South West Dentistry.  However due to a technical issue they could not be heard by those attending in the Council Chamber.  The Chairman agreed that the committee could ask questions and that these would be provided to Dr Farbus and Ms Fielding and that the item would be put back on the agenda for the next meeting of the committee on 20 September 2022.

S Bartlett declared an interest in respect of the item as he worked in the dental industry.

Councillors considered the issues arising from the report and questions/points were noted in the following areas:

·            The report did not make reference to the General Dental Council

·            The impact of the Covid Pandemic on the provision of dental services

·            A suggestion was made that a further report should be brought to the committee in 6 months, to review whether there had been an improvement in the number of people being seen by dentists

·            A view was expressed that it was felt the report did not consider how to improve the situation with the equality of access to NHS dentists

·            Issues with accessing an NHS Dentist  for those people who have not seen a dentist for a period of time due to the Covid Pandemic – do they need to stay on the waiting list until they can get a dentist?

·            A request was made for a list of common ‘myth busters’ around dentistry issues

·            A point was made that the Integrated Care System needed to take more account of dental services, particularly with getting information on services out into the community and promotion of good dental hygiene

·            Reference was made to a recent Healthwatch Dorset report with regard to funding available for additional dental appointments – how much was spent in Dorset and how many additional appointments did this equate to?

·            Issues around attracting healthcare workers, including dentists, into the area and links to issues such as provision of affordable housing and access to private rented housing

·            Issues around the retention and training of younger people in Dorset to work in this area

·            Need to improve communications including signposting people to organisations such as Dentaid

·            Links to GP’s and hospital services including potential emergency service provision as part of Accident and Emergency departments.

The Chairman noted that questions raised would be provided to the guest presenters for consideration at the next meeting of the committee, along with a list of common ‘myth busters’.  Potential recommendations for Cabinet would be considered when the item was discussed at the next meeting.

To consider the committee’s forward plan and Cabinet’s forward plan.

Councillors reviewed the committee’s forward plan and noted items to be considered at forthcoming meetings.  Points were raised as follows:

·            Dental access for adults and children in Dorset would be added to the forward plan for the next meeting on 20 September 2022

·            The timing and relevant committee to consider the item ‘Somerset Hyperacute Stroke Case for Change’ would be confirmed following the meeting

·            A look at the ambulance service, to include waiting times was to be considered and could be undertaken as a joint review with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council.

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.