To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record.

During discussion of this item reference was made to Minute No : AF(1)8/05 - Police Report.  It was explained that at that meeting discussion was held regarding graffiti and in particular the length of time for its removal.  Following that meeting Street Scene Section at the Borough Council had been informed of the concerns and the particular graffiti referred to at the meeting had been removed that day.

A representative of Spennymoor Police will attend the meeting to give a report on crime statistics and initiatives in the area.

Inspector A. Green was present at the meeting to give details of the crime figures for the area.  The crime statistics in relation to reported crime were as follows :-

It was noted that total crime had increased by 9% compared to the same period in the previous year. The overall percentage detection rate had also increased by 9% since July 2005.

It was reported that drug statistics for across the Borough were as follows :-

Reference was made to the loop at the top of the A688.  Concerns had been raised and discussions were being held with traffic management on possible solutions.

During discussion of this item the following issues were raised :-

Ø             Anti-social behaviour and in particular under-age drinking in public places and also

Ø             Nuisance caused by fireworks and bonfires.

Ø             The use of Neighbourhood Wardens and additional Police patrols to combat anti-social behaviour.

Ø             The sharing of data between the Police and Primary Care Trust.

Ø             Nuisance being caused by motorcycles

Ø             Drugs awareness seminars

In relation to anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking in public places it was explained that figures in relation to seizure of alcohol etc., would be given at the next meeting of the Forum.  However, in response to a query raised, it was explained that the average age for under-age drinkers was between 15 and 17 years.

It was noted that additional patrols had been deployed in Spennymoor Town Centre in an attempt to combat anti-social behaviour.  The Police were also working in conjunction with Neighbourhood Wardens to tackle issues.  CCTV was also being utilised and monitored.

It was also suggested that the PCT could provide data which the Police could find useful particularly in relation to drug abuse etc., and may enable trends to be identified.  This information could also be of use to the Crime Reduction Partnership.       

Members of the Forum also discussed the possibility of the re-instatement of Drugs Awareness Seminars which used to be held.

In relation to nuisance being caused by motorcycles it was reported that the Police were undertaking an ongoing operation to try and deal with the issue.

Arrangements have been made for Miss. Laura Robson, Director of Nursing, County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust to attend the meeting to respond to the concerns expressed at the September meeting of the Forum.

L. Robson, Director of Nursing, (County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital) was present at the meeting to answer members questions in relation to Bishop Auckland Hospital.  She provided some background to the current position.

She explained that as result of the Darzi Review, it some time ago had been suggested that Health Care Services needed to be more rationalised with major operations being moved to the larger hospitals.  It was, however, pointed out that a minor operations would continue to take place Bishop Auckland Hospital and a number of Consultants were holding sessions there.  Patients who needed further surgery would be referred to one of the larger specialised hospitals.

Miss Robson explained that a key issue had been the proposed merger of two wards as a result of difficulty in recruiting nursing staff to cover for maternity leave, etc.  The proposals had been perceived as a permanent closure and this had never been the intention.

It was explained that the move of major surgical procedures to Darlington had come about as a result of the need to maintain the level of expertise among surgeons and ensure that there was sufficient work of the calibre needed.

This would lead to spare capacity at Bishop Auckland Hospital and it was proposed that collective surgery from the rest of the area could be taken at Bishop Auckland Hospital and would be focused on intensive therapy etc.

Reference was also made to the Midwifery Unit at Bishop Hospital and the  hospital which had received positive response from people using the unit and had capacity to be used by patients from Darlington and Durham.

In relation to Acute Medicine for heart attacks, strokes, etc., this would still be undertaken at Bishop Auckland Hospital.  It was explained that the proposals were the result of a need for change and to maintain an effective/safe service across the area.

During discussion a query was raised regarding the training of Junior Doctors.  It was explained that Junior Doctors were still being trained at Bishop Auckland Hospital.  Accreditation for training anaesthetists had also been regained.

In response to a query raised regarding dealing with major incidents, it was explained that round the table exercises had been held and the ability to deal with major incidents had been tested.

Discussion was also held regarding the level of cleaning within Bishop Auckland Hospital and in particular whether there was an adequate number of cleaners to maintain levels of hygiene in the Hospital to deal with the MRS superbug.  It was explained by Miss Robson that the cleaning of the Hospital was purchased on a contract basis and it was considered that there were sufficient cleaners to deal with current activity. 

Cleanliness at the Hospital was constantly being reviewed and the levels of the superbug were very low.

A query was raised in relation to the midwifery-led maternity unit at Bishop Auckland Hospital.  It was explained that usage of the unit was monitored.

Dealing with a query in relation to haematology  and service provision, it was explained that there was a need to look at the haematology provision across the region.

Discussion was also held regarding provision of changing facilities for staff.  It was explained that changing facilities for staff were provided which enabled uniforms to be worn only within the hospital.  There was also a policy that uniforms should not be worn outside the hospital.  However, no facilities were available for washing the uniforms in the hospital and therefore they had to be taken home for that purpose.

Reference was also made to transport and apparent lack of a joined up approach to ambulance and transport provision.  It was explained that private taxis were used in some cases.

A representative of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust will attend the meeting to give an update on local health matters and performance figures.

Mrs. M. Fordham and Mrs. G. Wills, Sedgefield PCT attended the meeting to give an update on local health matters and performance figures.

Reference was made to the Local Improvement Finance Trust Initiative (LIFT) and in particular progress.  It was explained that the Spennymoor Programme  had included the provision of the Health Centre and incorporated the library.  Durham County Council had, however, indicated that they no longer wished to reprovide there.  A feasibility study would therefore have to be undertaken in relation to the reprovision of the Health Centre.  A sum of money had been set aside for that study and suitable locations would be examined.

During discussion concern was expressed regarding NHS dental services and the length of time to obtain an appointment and also the lack pf provision.  It was also queried whether there was to be a dental practice on the site of the former Venue.

It was considered that research needed to be undertaken to ensure that there was sufficient NHS dental provision in the Spennymoor area.

In relation to the feasibility study and timing, it was hoped that the study would be undertaken prior to any dissolution of the PCT.

Discussion was also held regarding the provision of healthcare and whether it was adequate for the additional population that was anticipated in Spennymoor.

The Forum was also informed of proposals in relation to the reprovision of Primary Care Trusts.  It was explained that proposals would be out for consultation in December.  It was anticipated that the consultation paper would identify three options :-

v     Option 1 - no change

v     Option 2 -  a merger with one single county-wide trust

v     Option 3 - North and South Primary Care Trusts

It was suggested that those proposals should be considered at an Area Forum meeting as part of the consultation process.

Reference was also made a health care self-assessment which the County Health Scrutiny Committee had fed into.

Mrs. Fordham also made reference to a questionnaire for members of the public “Your Health Your Care, Your Fate”.  Copies of that questionnaire would be forwarded to members of the Forum for completion and were to be forwarded to Citizens Survey Freepost AMG40159, Grays, RM20 3ZY.

The Forum was the informed of details of achieving patient access targets which had been submitted to the Board Meeting in October.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

In relation to the target on maximum waiting for Outpatients appointments, it was explained that over 13 week waiters were below profile for most of the months identified in the report.  Targets all continued to be reached in relation to patients wishing to see a Primary Health Care Professional within 24 hours and a GP within 48 hours.

Reference was made to the difficulty with the breakdown of accident and emergency statistics as information relating to accident and emergencies was unable to be obtained from the University Hospital of North Durham and the University Hospital of North Tees.

Details were also given in relation to patient choice, quality indicators and ambulance targets.

During discussion reference was made to the nutritional value of school meals etc., and it was suggested that this be further discussed at the next meeting.

In relation to public health smoking quitters, discussion was also held regarding advice etc., which young people were given in relation to smoking.  It was explained that there were young people dropping clinics etc.  However, those did not seem to be targeted.

The document “Our Public Health” was circulated to members of the Forum.

The Forum then discussed the contamination policy for ambulances and it was explained that the following situation existed :-

If crews thought the ambulance needed cleaning the working day the operational staff were stood down and the ambulance was cleaned with an anti-bacterial solution.

If it was felt that a fuller clean was needed the ambulance is out of operation and sent to the workshop.

Workshops can also clean the ambulance if maintenance work etc., is being undertaken.

Every thirteen weeks ambulances were given an immediate deep clean.

Every twenty six weeks taken apart inside and out and a full deep clean carried out.

Monday 12^th December 2005 at 6.30 p.m. at Middlestone Moor Community Centre

The next meeting was to be held on Monday 12^th December, 2005 at 6.30 p.m. at Middlestone Moor Community Centre..