Agenda and minutes

Apologies of absence were received from Councillors O Temple (Durham County Council), R Martin-Wells, R Cook & G Hall (Hartlepool Borough Council), J McGee (Middlesbrough Council), R Goddard (Redcar & Cleveland Council), A Mitchell (Stockton Borough Council) and J Taylor (Darlington Borough Council)

Councillor J Chaplow for the Durham County Council vacancy

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive and approve the minutes of the meeting of the Better Health Programme Joint Health Scrutiny Committee held on 10 July 2017.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 July 2017 were confirmed by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Principal Scrutiny Officer, Durham advised that although the last meeting had not been quorate, all authorities had now confirmed their agreement of the new terms of reference for the Committee.

The Chairman welcomed Joanne Baxter, North East Ambulance Service and Leaf Mobbs, Yorkshire Ambulance Service to the meeting.

To receive an update on feedback from the stakeholder engagement event held in the Xcel Centre, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham on Thursday 27 July 2017

The Committee received a presentation from Ali Wilson that gave feedback from the stakeholder forum held on 25 July 2017 (for copy see file of Minutes).

The presentation highlighted feedback on the following:-

·         Draft Evaluation Criteria – the report would be available on the website once agreed at the Joint CCG meeting

·         Criteria for clinical sustainability

·         Criteria for successful implementation

·         Criteria for financial implementation

The summary of feedback was reported as follows:-

·         Emerging themes:

o   how quality is defined. High quality preferable in the criterion.

o   greater connectivity across the system including social care

o   better communications

o   access and travel

o   pressures around workforce

o   the time required to develop buildings

o   shift from hospital to community services

o   patient experience as important as quality

·         Attendees at the event had suggested three additional evaluation criteria.

o   clinical sustainability: most sustainable model  for community based services.

o   financial sustainability: efficient use of estate where costs are fixed i.e. PFI sites.

o   successful implementation: the importance of allowing plenty of time for the transition process.

Councillor Blackie questioned the issue regarding the future provision of acute hospital services and the proposed evaluation criteria being that the fewest patinets should have an increased travelling time of ten minutes.  Ali Wilson replied that this was discussed under E10 and was specific about planned care.  She confirmed that the full report from the event would be circulated once available.

To receive update presentations from STP Workstream leads on the development of plans and early deliverables in relation to:-

(i)            Prevention – Paul Edmunson – Jones, Director of Public Health, Hartlepool B.C.

(ii)          Urgent Care – Gary Collier, Urgent Care Network

(iii)         Mental Health – Sharon Pickering, Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS FT

(iv)         Learning Disability – Nicola Bailey, Chief Officer, North Durham and DDES CCGs

(v)          Cancer – Andrew Copeland, Hartlepool and Stockton CCG

Members are advised that North East Ambulance Service will be represented at the meeting by Joanne Baxter, Director of Quality and Safety and Yorkshire Ambulance Service will be represented by Leaf Mobbs, Director of Planning and Performance

The Committee received a presentation from the STP workstream leads on the development of plans and early deliverables (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Chairman introduced the following STP workstream leads to give a presentation in relation to:-

·         Prevention – Paul Edmunson–Jones, Director of Public Health, Hartlepool B.C. gave an update on:-

o   Rationale

o   Health & Wealth – Closing the gap in the North East

o   Closing the gap recommendations

o   Workstream priorities

o   Progress to date

o   Key Challenges

o   Progress being made locally

Councillor Clark said that the diminishing workforce was a major concern together with the financial resources.

The Chairman added that Durham’s Scrutiny Committee had focused on problems with the workforce recently.

Councillor Clark commented that it was difficult to explain to people that we were part of the North (i.e. North Yorkshire) as things tended to gravitate to the north and Newcastle.  He added that it was important to integrate the work taking place as this had a major impact on the work being carried out in the community.  Janet Probert agreed that it was important that work being carried out was linked to the STP.

Paul Edmundson - Jones confirmed that public health work underpinned this and partners were working together across the board in relation to key areas such as fluoridation and smoking cessation.

Councillor Moorhouse referred to alcohol in pregnancy and asked why drugs had not come under this remit.  She had concerns that this could lead to suicide.  Paul Edmundson-Jones explained that the STP were looking at what could be done by all partners together as part of the STP, that would make the most impact within the 5 year forward plan.  He added that substance misuse was one of the key things that local authorities would take forward.

Councillor Moorhouse further commented that less people were now smoking but that more people seemed to be drinking.

Referring to mental health work, Councillor Ovens said that she had heard how resources for this service were poor and she was concerned that people were waiting for quite some time to receive treatment and therapy.  She asked how this could be addressed and integrated by the STP.

Councillor Tostevin agreed that this could be very confusing for the public.  She was concerned about recent information saying the women could drink whilst pregnant and she also had concerns about the NHS take up for flu injections.

Mr Edmundson-Jones said that take up from staff of the flu immunisation was a national problem and work was underway to address this.

·         Urgent Care – Gary Collier, Urgent Care Network gave an update on:-

o   UEC network

o   What we are aiming to achieve

o   UEC Network and Approach

o   Network Mandated Interventions

o   Local A&E Delivery Boards – 5 Mandated Interventions

o   UEC Model of Care

o   Integrated Urgent Care – Clinical hub

o   Digital Care

o   Directory of Services

o   Delayed Transfer of Care

o   Delivery Milestones by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

The Chairman referred to the set up of a similar STP body for the north of the region and informed the Committee that all local authorities had agreed the proposed terms of reference.

Stephen Gwillym advised that the Chief Executive of Middlesbrough Council had requested to attend and address the committee about his concerns.  He advised that this opportunity would be offered to all other local authority chief executives from the areas represented.

-       Wednesday 8 November 2017 at 2.00 p.m. – Middlebrough B.C.

-       Wednesday 17 January 2017 at 2.00 p.m. – Venue TBC

The next meetings would be held as follows:-

Wednesday 8 November 2017 at 2.00 p.m. – Middlesbrough

Wednesday 17 January 2017 at 2.00 p.m. – TBC