Meeting: Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee (County Hall, Durham - Committee Room 1a - 10/01/2005 10:00:00 AM)
Item: A1 Minutes
DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL
At a Meeting of the
Health Scrutiny Sub-Committee held at the County Hall, Durham on
Monday 10 January 2004 at
10.00 a.m. COUNCILLOR J PRIESTLEY in the Chair.
Durham County Council Councillors Armstrong, Carroll, Marshall, Nicholls, Ord, Pye, and Watson.
Chester le Street District Council Councillors Armstrong and Harrison
Derwentside District Council Councillor Pickersgill
Durham City Council Councillors Simmons and Smith
Teesdale District Council Councillor Stansfield
Sedgefield Borough Council Councillors Crosby
Co-opted Members G Eshelby and H McCaughey
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gray (Sedgefield Borough Council).
A1 Minutes The Minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2004 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
A2 New Member Representing Derwentside District Council The Chairman welcomed Councillor J Pickersgill of Derwentside District Council to his first meeting of the Sub Committee.
A3 Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest.
A4 Consultation from the Priority Services Trust: Tony White Unit County Hospital The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny (for copy see file of Minutes) about the consultation process relating to the temporary relocation of Psychiatric Intensive Care (PIC) Services from the County Hospital to Darlington.
The Head of Overview and Scrutiny reminded the Sub Committee that their main role was to ensure that patients and the public had been properly consulted and had the opportunity to influence the proposals.
A copy of a letter received from Sandy Taylor, the Chief Executive of the Trust was circulated (for copy see file of Minutes) about the additional consultation meeting that had been held with staff representatives on 4 January 2005. A copy of an e-mail received from UNISON requesting a further opportunity to speak to the Sub Committee was also circulated.
Sandy Taylor explained that the proposals had been brought forward because of the shortcomings of the existing provision. The process had allowed users opinions to be incorporated. As a result transport will be provided for patients relatives and friends. In addition procedures and protocols for the transfer of patients are to be developed. The transfer had been delayed until March 2005. In response to concerns raised by the Sub Committee, Sandy Taylor confirmed that the transfer to Darlington was for a temporary period.
Liz Hopkins (a member of staff of the Tony White Unit) expressed the view that in her opinion, the consultation process was flawed and outlined particular problems relating to the Cedar Ward at Darlington. In addition she stated that both the Police and Ambulance Services had not been satisfactorily consulted on the proposals.
Sergeant Paul Hannon, Beat Manager for Durham City advised the Sub Committee that he had not been consulted about the Tony White Unit proposals. Sandy Taylor confirmed that formal consultation with all appropriate organisations, including Durham Constabulary and North East Ambulance Service had taken place.
Sandy Taylor also confirmed that additional staff will be available to staff the Cedar Ward when they have completed their training. Staff from the Tony White Unit will be also available for redeployment.
After careful consideration members of the Sub Committee asked that a further report on the progress of the proposals be provided in six months time.
Resolved: That the recommendations set out in the report be approved and that an update be provided in approximately six months time.
A5 Rehabilitation and Recovery Services Project The Sub Committee considered a report (for copy see file of Minutes) from Steve Traynor, Project Manager for Rehabilitation and Recovery Services with the Priority Services Trust.
The Sub Committee welcomed the project and asked to be updated on the communications strategy at a future meeting.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A6 Mental Health Services: South Easington - Consultation by the Tees and North East Yorkshire Health Trust The Sub Committee considered a report (for copy see file of Minutes) of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny explaining the consultation exercise being undertaken by the Tees and North East Yorkshire Health Trust. In addition the Sub Committee received a presentation from Lisa Moore of the Tees and North East Yorkshire Health Trust explaining the proposals to modernise the accommodation, buildings and location from which mental health services and care are provided.
The proposals will affect the residents of south Easington as it is proposed to provide new facilities in the Teesside area which will also serve this County.
Lisa Moore explained that the Trust had been carrying out consultation for two and a half years and had set up focus groups with service users 18 months ago.
In response to questions about transport, Lisa explained that they had commissioned a survey on transport needs and a meeting had been arranged with all bus companies. In addition a feasibility study had been commissioned into the use of an internal minibus for transporting patients between units.
Resolved: That the consultation process to date be noted.
A7 Easington Primary Care Trust - Primary, Community and Emergency Care Strategy The Sub Committee received a presentation (for copy see file of Minutes) from Wendy Baker of Easington Primary Care Trust about the development of the Trust’s Primary, Community and Emergency Care Strategy. The Strategy would provide a patient centred focus by improving and increasing access to services.
The Trust have carried out consultation with staff, partners, patients and the public up till December 2004. The Strategy is to be submitted to the Trust Board later in January.
Resolved: That the consultation process to date be noted.
A8 Other Health Trust Issues Wynn Griffiths Chief Executive, Derwentside Primary Care Trust informed the Sub Committee that he expected to be in a position to formally consult on proposals for Stanley Health Centre in the near future.
Edmund Lovell of the Acute Trust informed the Sub Committee that the consultation process for proposals to establish a single urology service across Wearside, South Tyneside and County Durham had not yet commenced. A report will be given to the Sub Committee when the process is underway.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A9 Patient Advice and Liaison Services: Information for Health Scrutiny The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about issues raised by Patient Advice and Liaison Services (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A10 Public and Patient Forums: Information for Health Scrutiny The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about issues raised by Public and Patient Forums (for copy see file of Minutes).
Jane King Co-ordinator for the Sedgefield Patient and Public Forum reported on the work of the Forum on its first year of operation.. The Forum has produced an annual report and work plan and has worked closely with Sedgefield PCT on a number of issues. Visits have been made to GP surgeries and local pharmacies. The next work plan of the Forum will be based on issues and concerns raised by the public.
David Taylor-Gooby on behalf of the other Patient and Public Forums explained that they were developing relationships with Trusts and had carried out a number of investigations. They had highlighted issues around transport and burns care.
Councillor J Pickersgill explained the confusion for the residents of his constituency when accessing services which ocurred as a result of the area falling within the boundaries of Derwentside District but receiving services from both Durham and Chester le Street PCT and Durham Dales PCT.
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A11 Child Health Conference The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the Child Health Conference held in November 2004 (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the recommendation contained in the report be approved..
A12 Exercise Referral Schemes: Review The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny reviewing progress in relation to Exercise Referral Schemes in the County (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A13 Department of Health - Choosing Health Summaries The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny
providing information from the Department of Health about the ‘Choosing Health’ White Paper (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A14 Department of Health White Paper - Choosing Health: Making Healthy Choices Easier The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny
providing information from the Department of Health summary (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the report be noted.
A15 Scrutiny Projects and Work Programme The Sub Committee considered a report of the Head of Overview and Scrutiny about the work programme of the Sub Committee (for copy see file of Minutes).
Resolved: That the work programme be noted.
Attachments
healthscrutiny10.01.05.doc