Agenda and minutes

At this point Members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda. A list of general personal interests previously declared are attached.

Members were invited to declare at this point in the meeting any personal or prejudicial interests they might have in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Wiseman confirmed her reappointment as a Governor of York Hospitals Foundation Trust as a public member and she requested the addition of this to her list of standing declarations.  

The Chair reported the recent death of Alderman Jack Archer. Members wished to place on record their appreciation for Jack’s work and commitment to the authority over many years and their sadness at his death.

To approve and sign the minutes of meetings of the Committee held on 2 December 2009 and 13 and 20 January 2010.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of meetings of the Committee held on 2 December 2009, and 13 and 20 January 2010 be approved and signed by the Chair as correct records.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the Committee’s remit can do so. The deadline for registering is 5:00 pm on Tuesday 2 March 2010.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

John Yates, spoke as a representative of the Older People’s Assembly in relation to Agenda item 5 (Update on Dental Services in York). He referred to colleagues on the Assembly who had been blind since childhood who had asked that elderly blind and partially sighted people should be allocated dentists as near to their home as possible. They had been given a dentist on the other side of the city, which had not been on a bus route; luckily they had since found an NHS dentist within a short walk. 

John went onto point out that this should be seen as a broader issue in relation to blind, disabled and elderly people and the difficulties they faced in attending medical and dental appointments some distance from their home. He suggested a question on disabilities and a request from the PCT for a postcode might assist in allocating services nearer to a persons home.

Members are asked to review the Committee’s work plan for 2010. Extracts from the Forward Plan are included for Members’ information.

The Chair gave a verbal update in respect of ongoing changes at York Hospital in relation to the Back Pain Management Group and use of the exceptions panel to evaluate cases. He confirmed that he had requested a presentation from NHS North Yorkshire and York at the Scrutiny Committee’s next meeting on 29 March to update Members.  He stated that he had also requested additional information in relation to how changes in hospital service levels were passed onto the Scrutiny Committee.

The Scrutiny Officer confirmed that the LINks Public Awareness and Consultation Report on end of life care would not be available for the meeting on 29 March so this would be slipped to the May meeting. She also confirmed that arrangements for an additional meeting in July would be left until after the Annual Meeting to take account of any new members of the Committee.

Members referred to the presentation/update on Mental Health Transfers scheduled for the May meeting and in view of recent changes they suggested  that an earlier update may be more appropriate. It was agreed that this should be brought forward to the March meeting.

RESOLVED:             That the draft Work Plan be approved subject to the amendments detailed above and the May (TBC) meeting being held on Wednesday 19 May 2010 at 5.00pm. ^1.

REASON:                  To update the Committee on their Work Plan for the forthcoming year.

This report provides Members with an update on the provision of NHS dental services in York.

The Committee considered a report, which provided Members with an update, on the provision of NHS dental services in York.

The report detailed the following:

• Number of new patients seen in 2009/10 by quarter
• Access – new patients assigned to a dentist
• Demand for NHS Primary Care Dentistry
• Waiting times
• Supply of Primary Dental Services
• Future Plans

Lorraine Naylor, Assistant Director – Primary Care, was in attendance to present the paper and answer any questions. She confirmed that there were just over 5000 dental patients registered in the York area and that the PCT were to shortly go out to procure investment in NHS dentists in the area. She questioned the most suitable location for siting additional dentists and confirmed that there appeared to be an underprovision in the Acomb area. She also confirmed that if patients had any special needs they could identify a particular dental practice however there could be additional waiting time involved.

Members referred to the apparent significant deterioration in the length of time patients spent on the waiting list. From previous reports it appeared that anyone requiring a NHS dentist had to wait between 1 and 6 months but that the majority now had to wait over 12 months. Lorraine Naylor confirmed that she would examine this discrepancy and clarify the details with the Scrutiny Officer, for circulation to Members. ^1.

Members also questioned the accuracy of the waiting list, as it was understood that some names still appeared on the list although they had been allocated dentists. It was confirmed that everyone on the waiting list was shortly to be contacted to ascertain their current position and that the list was to be put online to make it much more accessible and to ensure that you could view your position on it.

In relation to sites for additional NHS dentists Members felt that a map showing both NHS and private dental provision over the whole area was required to enable them to make informed suggestions.

RESOLVED:            i) That the dental update from NHS North Yorkshire and York be noted;

ii)That a further update on dental provision in York be provided for the 19 May meeting of the Committee to include comparative data showing overall trends. ^2.

REASON:                              In order to carry out their duty to promote the health needs of the people they represent.

This report presents Members with a response from LINks regarding queries in relation to the recommendations arising from their report on Neurological Services. It also presents Members with the LINks Report Writing Protocol for information.

Consideration was given to a report, which presented Members with a response from LINks regarding queries in relation to the recommendations arising from their report on Neurological Services.

It was reported that the LINk Steering Group had discussed the Committees request and that they had now devised an alternative approach to monitoring the number of Home Care staff that had undergone training to care for people with neurological conditions.

The report also referred to LINks development of a protocol to improve the process of identifying and agreeing issues for inquiry through to the production and presentation of their final reports.  The protocol set out the method by which reports would be written and issued and defined the roles and responsibilities of different agencies.

The LINks Co-ordinator reported that their training information in relation to training for Home Care had been indicated as best practice by the Department of Health. Reference was also made to a Bright Ideas grant and a request was made to register a vote.

RESOLVED:             i) That the contents of the letter at Annex A of the report be noted.

ii)That the Committee note the LINks Report Writing Protocol at Annex B of the report.

REASON:                  To enable the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to keep up to date with the work of the York LINk and continue to build a positive relationship with them.

This report provides an update of the 2009/10 position for both finance and performance in Adult Social Services, the main area covered by the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Consideration was given to a report which provided an update of the 2009/10 position for both finance and performance in Adult Social Services, the main area covered by the Committee.

It was currently projected that Adult Social Services would overspend by £1.7m and that the underlying cause still related to increases in Direct Payment take up, costs related to Home Care, Mental Health placements, residential and nursing placements and rising costs at Elderly People’s Homes.

Officers confirmed that all non essential expenditure had been cut back which included not filling vacant posts, staff training and attendance at Conferences etc.

In answer to Members questions on the present rate of increase Officers confirmed that it was hoped that reablement work would start to slow down demand. 

RESOLVED:             That the update report be noted.

REASON:                  To keep the Committee updated on finance and performance in Adult Social Services.