Agenda item

The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer referred members to the recent prominent articles and news stories relating to the remit of the Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

‘CQC rate Darlington Memorial and Durham Hospitals as good’ (Northern Echo - 3 December 2019) related to County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust receiving a ‘Good’ rating from the Care Quality Commission following its latest inspection.  The article was related to item 11 on the Committee’s agenda and would be presented by the Chief Executive, County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust.

‘Stroke reforms warning for Bishop Auckland Hospital’ (Northern Echo - 7 January 2020) related to NHS bosses announcing plans to move stroke rehab services from Bishop Auckland Hospital to Durham City.  A Joint Health Scrutiny Committee for County Durham and Darlington had been set up to look at the potential impact of the proposed changes to stroke services.  The first meeting of the joint committee was held on 6 January 2020. 

‘Why 2020 will be a crucial year for the NHS’ (BBC website - 19 December 2019) related to the Queens speech referring to the new Government prioritising the NHS.  Ministers would need to meet the challenges faced by the health service as both A&E and routine operations were at their worst levels and waiting times had deteriorated since targets were introduced making 2020 a crucial year for it.  The Principal Overview and Scrutiny Officer confirmed that these issues featured in the Committee’s Work Programme. 

‘Strengthening services at County Durham Community Hospital’ (DCC Press Release - 7 January 2020) related to the decision by County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, the Council, and NHS commissioners to relocate District Nurses and Social Workers to the Richardson Community Hospital in Barnard Castle. This was implemented to allow them to liaise with ward staff to ensure quicker and safer discharges to enhance the services available at the NHS facility. The article was related to item 7 on the Committee’s agenda and would be jointly presented by the Director of Integrated Community Services and the Head of Integrated Strategic Commissioning.

Councillor Savory was disappointed that there had been no public consultation events for the Stroke Rehabilitation service or Ward 6 reviews scheduled to be held in Weardale.  She had now arranged for an event to be held at a Parish Council meeting in February.

Councillor Quinn had also arranged a meeting in Shildon. 

Resolved

That the verbal presentation be noted.