Agenda and minutes

The Chair made reference to the recent death of Councillor Lynn Jeffries and invited all Members and those present to stand and take part in a moment of silence as a mark of respect. During the course of the meeting tribute was paid to the contribution that Councillor Jeffries had made to health, disability and equality issues within the city.

At this point in the meeting, Members were invited to declare any personal, prejudicial or disclosable pecuniary interests that they might have had in the business on the agenda.

Councillor Doughty declared a personal interest in agenda item 4 (Bootham Park Hospital (BPH)) as his partner worked for The Retreat which was one of the sites under consideration to provide a long term alternative facility for inpatients at Bootham Park. He stated that he would not take part in discussion of the report’s recommendations.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 2 July 2014.

Resolved:  That the minutes of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 2 July 2014 be signed and approved by the Chair as a correct record.

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 Tuesday 9 September 2014 at 5:00 pm.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there had been three registrations to speak under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

David Smith spoke regarding agenda item 5 (Update on the implementation of recommendations from the previously completed Personalisation Scrutiny Review).  He stressed the importance of ensuring that the recommendations were actioned quickly.  He expressed concern as to whether the training that had previously taken place had been effective and stated that there had to be a culture change within the Authority to address issues in respect of personalisation.

John Yates spoke in relation to agenda item 10 (Discrimination against Disabled People in York Report). He gave examples of problems faced by those with disabilities when trying to travel by bus.  He also drew Members’ attention to issues in respect of obesity, particularly childhood obesity.

Andrew Butler spoke regarding Agenda Item 7 (York Hospital NHS Foundation Trust Annual Report 2013/14). He clarified that although he was a governor of the hospital he did not speak on their behalf.  Referring to the recently released Monitor report, he gave contextual information regarding the targets that had been missed in respect of cancer treatment and Accident and Emergency and explained that the targets related to waiting times and there had been no suggestion of poor care.  Details were also given of the Trust’s financial situation and the savings that had had to be implemented. 

This report aims to brief Members on the review of inpatient accommodation at Bootham Park Hospital. It seeks to inform Members of the recent multi-agency decision to agree an interim solution for the inpatient accommodation to cover the next three years.

Members received a report which briefed them on the review of inpatient accommodation at Bootham Park Hospital. It informed them of the recent multi-agency decision to agree an interim solution for the inpatient accommodation to cover the next three years.

The Chief Executive from Leeds and York Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and the Chief Clinical Officer from the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) were in attendance to present the report and answer questions from Members.

Details were given of the proposals and the interim arrangements that would be put in place.  It was noted that guidance was awaited from NHS England before a decision was taken on the new purpose built mental health inpatient facilities.  In response to questions from Members details were also given of the timescales involved.

Members stressed the importance of ensuring that there was continuity in care for patients during the process and that there were no gaps in provision.  Particular reassurance was sought in respect of the Children and Adolescents Mental Health Service.

Resolved: (i)       That the interim solution for Bootham Park

                             Hospital be endorsed.

(ii)        That work be carried out with the CCG in the development of longer term plans for new purpose-built, mental health inpatient facilities for service users from York and the Vale of York.

Reasons: (i)        The urgency and seriousness of the Care

Quality Commission (CQC) report, has meant that the CCG has had to rapidly identify an interim solution for inpatient services at Bootham Park Hospital. During the interim period the CCG can then fulfil its statutory obligations by holding a full public consultation and wider stakeholder engagement events regarding the longer term, future provision of inpatient services.

(ii)      The CCG feels that the people of the Vale of York deserve a 21^st century facility for the delivery of inpatient mental health services. There are 3 options for a suitable site; a new build on the Bootham site, a new build on The Retreat site or a new build on the old Clifton Hospital site.

This report provides Members with an update of the implementation of the recommendations arising from the previously completed Personalisation Scrutiny Review (Annex 1) and progress arising from the review.

Members received a report which provided an update on the implementation of the recommendations arising from the previously completed Personalisation Scrutiny Review and progress arising from the review.

Officers gave details of the action that had been taken, including details of the Support Planning Toolkit event that had taken place.   Officers were questioned about the uptake of Direct Payments and of the targets that had been set. 

Concerns were expressed that the pace of progress in implementing the personalisation agenda was not as rapid as Members would wish.   It was agreed that there was still work to be done to ensure that individuals had the key role in designing the care that best met their needs.  Officers confirmed that action was being taken to escalate the rate of progress.

Resolved:  That the report be noted and all recommendations signed off as complete.

Reason:   To complete the scrutiny review.

This annual report from the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) includes the YAS Annual Summary and the report on the Quality & Performance for the Vale of York Area.

Members considered an annual report from the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) which included the YAS Annual Summary and the report on the Quality & Performance report for the Vale of York.

The Head of Emergency Operations from North and East Yorkshire Ambulance Service was in attendance at the meeting to present the report.

Members’ attention was drawn to the increasing demand for the service and details were given of performance against the performance indicator targets that were in place.  Members were also informed of the 2014-15 key priorities for the service, as outlined in the report.

In response to questions from Members, details were given of the Community Medical Unit which was intended to operate in St Helen’s Square, York on Friday and Saturday evenings and race days.  The reasons why this was not always possible were noted.  Partners were working together to tackle issues in respect of alcohol related issues in the city centre.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Reason:   So that Members are kept informed of the performance of Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

This report presents the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee with the Annual Report of the Chief Executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust (Annex 1) which details the performance and challenges faced by the hospital during financial period 2013/14.

Members considered a report which presented them with the Annual Report of the Chief Executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust which detailed the performance and challenges faced by the hospital during financial period 2013/14.

The Deputy Chief Executive of York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the Directorate Manager from the Emergency Department at York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust were in attendance at the meeting.

A number of issues were highlighted in respect of the report including:

·        The current level of partnership working between those involved in health across the city was the best it had ever been.

·        There had been a 50% reduction in cases of C-difficile at the hospital.

·        Significant progress had been made in respect of community services

·        Concerns still existed over the continued increase in demand for the services offered.

·        Staff recruitment, particularly in respect of A&E consultants and staff, continued to be difficult.  Details were given of the strategies that were being developed to address this issue, including offering flexible working. Consideration was being given to recruiting from overseas should this prove necessary.

Members noted that although the Trust had performed well against the majority of targets there were two exceptions to this:

·        Emergency Department waiting times

·        The 18 week referral to treatment target

Members questioned officers regarding the missed targets.  They were given details regarding the number of patients who used the services of A&E each day, many with non-urgent conditions.  Generally the survey results from those using A&E were good. 

In respect of the cancer treatment target, Members were informed that although there had been a significant increase in the number of referrals, this had not been reflected in an increase in the number of cancer cases.  It was noted that the number of referrals was not uniform across GP practices in the city.

Details were given of the Trust’s financial position.  Referring to a recent article in the media, the Chief Clinical Officer from the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group clarified that the CCG had not “fined” the hospital and would not be withholding funding.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Reason:   To keep the Committee up to date on the work of the Trust.

The purpose of this report is to inform members of this scrutiny committee on the refresh of York’s Equality Scheme. Members are requested to note progress made, comment on the draft priorities and draft outcomes and advise on which should be the focus within the revised equality scheme.

Members considered a report to inform Members of the refresh of York’s Single Equality Scheme.

It was noted that, since the report had been written, carers and young carers had been included in the Single Equality Scheme Scheme priorities. 

Members questioned why there had been no mention within the report of the impact of the rise in the threshold for disabled and vulnerable people receiving social care support. Officers confirmed that they would look at this.

Members requested that the outcome in respect of the percentage of carers who report that they have been included or consulted in discussion about the person they care for should also include the percentage of people who are cared for who report that they have been included or consulted about their care.

Resolved:  (i)  That the report be noted.

                  (ii) That the priorities and outcomes listed in the report should be the areas of focus in the revised equality scheme, subject to the amendment detailed above.

Reason:     To help ensure that relevant equality issues are reflected in the revised Equality Scheme.

This report analyses the latest performance for 2014/15 and forecasts the financial outturn position by reference to the service plan and budgets for all of the relevant services falling under the responsibility of the Director of Health & Wellbeing.

Members considered a report which analysed the latest performance for 2014/15 and forecasted the financial outturn position by reference to the service plan and budgets for all of the relevant services falling under the responsibility of the Director of Health and Wellbeing.

Members were informed that work was taking place to rebase the budget to take into account the demographic trend, the complexity of cases and the financial implications of the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS).   In response to the significant pressures an allocation of £600k from the corporate contingency budget had been sought.

 At the request of Members, details were given of the implications of a recent court ruling which had resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of formal applications that had to be processed.  Members requested that a report on DOLS be presented at a future meeting.

Members’ attention was drawn to paragraph 14 of the report, which highlighted differing life expectancy rates within the city.

Members questioned whether the work that the Council was carrying out with the universities to promote better awareness of excessive alcohol consumption was having an impact.  Officers confirmed that the universities were becoming more aware of their responsibilities and were providing practical support on the streets.   Members suggested that non-alcohol venues should be more readily available for students who did not drink alcohol.

Concerns were expressed that a lunch service provided at four sheltered housing schemes was to cease.  Officers explained that the number of people using this service had declined and that it was used by only a quarter of the residents at the homes.  A number of issues had been raised regarding choice and quality and the subsidised service was costing the Council £50,000 per annum.  Other commercial and community organisations could provide lunches which were of better quality and offered more variety.  There were other opportunities for socialising at the venues.  Officers stated that those affected would be given appropriate advice and support to make alternative arrangements.  Members agreed that they would wish to have a report back on this issue at the next meeting.

Resolved:  (i)      That the report be noted.

                   (ii)      That reports on Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards

(DOLS) and an update on the situation in respect of the changes to lunch provision for those previously using the Council’s service be added to the workplan.

Reasons:    (i)     To update the Committee on the latest financial

                             and performance position for 2014/15.

(ii)      To ensure Members are kept informed of issues identified in the monitoring reports.

This report presents the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee with a report into Discrimination against Disabled People in York (Annex 1) prepared and published by Healthwatch York.

Members considered a report written by Healthwatch York into Discrimination against Disabled People in York.

The Manager of Healthwatch York and the author of the report were in attendance and responded to Members’ questions.

The report author gave an overview to Members and gave details of issues that had been identified arising from the survey, including access to GP services and public transport.  Members suggested that it would be helpful for bus companies to ensure that drivers were fully trained on issues in respect of disability.

It was noted that the recommendations in the report would be considered by the Health and Wellbeing Board in October.  It was hoped that this would result in an action plan being drawn up to address the recommendations.  The Chair stated that she would also present the report at the next General Pharmaceutical Council meeting.

Members congratulated the report author on the work that she had carried out.

Resolved: That the report be noted.

Reason:   To keep the Committee informed of issues faced by  disabled people in York.

Members are asked to consider the Committee’s work plan for the 2014-15 municipal year.

Members considered the Committee’s work plan for 2014-15.

Resolved: That the work plan be approved subject to the following

 additions (as agreed under agenda item 9):

·        Report on the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) to be considered at a future meeting.

·        Report on the impact of changes to the lunch services at the sheltered housing schemes.

Reason:   To ensure that the Committee has a planned   programme of work in place.