Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors T Jay, A Bishop, M Gant and R Kingstone.  Councillors S Goodall and B Price attended as substitutes for Councillors T Jay and M Gant.

The Minutes of the previous Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee held on the 22^nd January 2019 were approved and signed as a correct record.

(Moved by Councillor M Oates and seconded by Councillor R Rogers)

There were no declarations of interest.

(Update on responses to Reports of the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee)

The Chair reported that the Forward Plan had been updated to include consideration at the Cabinet meeting on 11 April 2019 of the adoption of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Charter, which had been recommended by this Committee to Cabinet on 27^th September 2018.

The Chair reported that he would attend Cabinet on 11 April 2019 to support the adoption of the MND Charter and would welcome the attendance of any other members of this Committee at Cabinet to support the same.

(Discussion item)

There were no matters which had been referred to this Committee.

The Chair reported that he had spoken to the Member of Parliament for Tamworth regarding West Midlands Ambulance Service’s decision to remove the Rapid Response Vehicle from Tamworth.  The Chair reported that the MP had requested an explanation from the Ambulance Service which he would share with the Chair, and which the Chair would update the Committee on.

(To receive an update from County Councillor J Oates.)

The Chair introduced County Councillor J Oates who would provide an update on matters considered by Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee, and in particular the three items requested by this Committee.

Future of the George Bryan Centre

County Councillor Oates reported that since the previous meeting of this Committee there had been a significant fire at the centre which had led to the need to move 18 residents of the centre, either to alternative residential centres or to alternative arrangements.  Staffordshire County Council were maintaining contact with the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, however, there was no update which could be provided on future plans.

The Committee sought clarification on any investigation into the fire.  County Councillor Oates confirmed that he would seek clarification on what investigation would be undertaken.

Breast Screening in Tamworth

It was reported that the new breast screening facility at the Robert Peel hospital had been installed following work to upgrade the platform.

The Chair thanked the Committee for its work in this area and for members continued pressure to ensure the return of a screening facility, in particular for the support from Councillor R Claymore and County Councillor A Little.

Councillor S Goodall joined the meeting.

Broader Mental Health Care

County Councillor J Oates reported that Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee had considered and recommended to its Cabinet an Approach to Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health 2018-2023. This set out the principles which underpin the change which were:

·         ensure that this area would be a priority within strategic plans and in our partners’ organisational structures;

·         have collaborative commissioning arrangements in place making best use of our collective resources

·         ensure that all commissioning decisions are informed by robust assessment of need

·         participate fully in the developing and implementing the National Minimum Dataset across commissioned provision and the new outcome measures

·         be transparent about what is invested in local services and the outcomes delivered

·         participate fully in developing and implementing the National Minimum dataset across all levels and ensure that arrangements are fully embedded in all contractual arrangements with regard to services for children and young people with mental health and emotional wellbeing needs

·         recognise and act on opportunities to influence local and national policy to the benefit of children and young people and their families.

County Councillor Oates reported that this approach aimed to raise Childrens’ and Young People’s mental health up the agenda.

In terms of adult mental health, County Councillor Oates reported that Staffordshire County Council delivered against the national policy, however they had launched a MindKind strategy, which aimed to develop within Staffordshire County Council a network of mental health first aiders and also aimed to encourage more openness in discussing mental health and to provide further support and sign-posting to mental health services.

A concern was raised by a Member that given the potential extent of mental health issues highlighted, it was important to ensure that there was an acute mental health facility locally.  County Councillor Oates reported that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To receive the Healthy Staffordshire Select Committee Digests for:

·         5 December 2018 Meeting

·         4 February 2019 Meeting

The Committee welcomed and noted the updates on matters of business relevant to this Committee which were considered by Staffordshire County Council’s Healthy Staffordshire Select Committees held on 5 December 2018 and 4 February 2019. 

Please see link to the Forward Plan:

http://democracy.tamworth.gov.uk/mgListPlans.aspx?RPId=120&RD=0&bcr=1

The Chair reported that the Forward Plan included two items of relevance to this Committee:

·         The MND Charter for Cabinet consideration on 11 April 2019;

·         The revised dates for Council consideration of the Allocations Policy.  The Chair reported that he would liaise with the Portfolio Holder for Housing Services and Neighbourhoods and relevant Officers to consider the timing for a further review of this matter by this Committee.

(To receive an update from the Working Group)

The Chair invited Councillor M Oates to update the Committee on the outcome of the GP Provision Working Group.  Councillor Oates reminded the Committee that the intention was to identify the differences of service between GP surgeries across Tamworth with the hope of achieving the same services across all GP Surgeries in Tamworth, in particular the differences between larger surgeries, and smaller surgeries.

The Chair reported that following discussions, the working group understood further details regarding the commissioning arrangements for GPs and the fact that GPs were self-employed.  The GPs could determine whether to work in groups, and the working group understood that funding for additional services, such as blood testing, ECGs and elderly care clinics, was often linked to the size of the surgeries and number of GPs in the surgeries. 

The Chair thanked Councillor M Oates and the working group for its work in this area and noted that the working group did not feel there was any further recommendations which would be appropriate to make at this time.

(To consider New Member Support – Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity training)

The Chair reported that following the recommendations from the Corporate Scrutiny Committee to Cabinet regarding new member support, it felt appropriate that this Committee also consider areas where Members would recommend further areas of training and / or support, such as in terms of Safeguarding and Equality and Diversity.

The Committee considered that it would be appropriate for both Members and officers to be involved in developing a programme of training and support and that Members from all scrutiny committees could be invited to join a working group on this matter.  The Committee agreed to include an item on its Work Plan.

(Update and discussion on the Health & Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee Work Plan)

The Committee considered the Work Plan and updated it as follows:

Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Work Plan