To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting held on 12 January 2016.

The Minutes of the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, held on the 12 January 2016, were approved as a correct record.

To receive additional items that the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency, in accordance with Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There were no items of urgent business.

Councillor Gupta declared a non-pecuniary interest in respect of Agenda Item 6 “Learning Disability Health Checks” as he was a carer.

This item is reserved to discuss any issues raised by the HealthWatch co-opted member or designated representative.

Kim James, the HealthWatch co-opted member, raised two items for the Committee’s attention.

The Committee Members and Officers were asked for guidance on how best to proceed with the consultation process of the Positron Emission Tomography – Computed Tomography (PET-CT) scanner service that NHS England were proposing to undertake. A Public Meeting was scheduled to take place in March 2016 at the Bee Hive Centre in Grays, but to date no information regarding the consultation had been received from NHS England. Kim stated that Thurrock residents should have the right to their comment on this consultation process and felt they were unable to do this with the lack of information available.

Ian Wake stated that they were also struggling to understand what the consultation was about and could not comment until this was to hand.

It was confirmed that Lyn Carpenter, Chief Executive, had written to NHS England asking for further details on the consultation process.

Councillor Liddiard stated that there was a need to support this local service and to encourage residents to attend all public meetings.

Councillor Halden commented that as a result of a Motion at Full Council a letter had been sent to the Secretary of State for Health with regards to the poor communication/engagement from representatives of NHS England and NHS commissioning, particularly with reference to the consultation on the PET CT Scanner which was viewed as an unsound consultation. Councillor Halden suggested further letters should be sent to NHS England.

Councillor Ojetola agreed that until the details of the consultation were known it was difficult to make any decision.

Kim James confirmed that she will be attending this public meeting in March.

The Chair requested that all consultation papers be available to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee by the end of February 2016.

Ian Wake stated that he was in the process of writing a further letter to NHS England requesting further information and registering the disappointment of the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

A further item was raised by Kim James on the planning by NHS England of a number of public information events about the proposed changes to the specialised urology cancer service in Essex. These initial events were designed to inform members of the public about the proposed changes and the process that NHS England were required to follow.

Kim James concern was that no consultation process was being undertaken in Thurrock. No correspondence had been made with HealthWatch, who would have been more than happy to find accommodation to house this meeting and registered disappointment that Thurrock had, yet again, been missed out again on consultation events.

Mandy Ansell confirmed that she had also chased NHS England for information and registered CCG’s disappointment that no public event was being held in Thurrock.

Councillor Halden suggested that the Council work jointly with Essex and Southend Health Overview & Scrutiny Committees to compare information received and find out what consultation processes had been undertaken in these areas.

The Chair agreed that this  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

Sara Lingard, NHS England, presented the report that provided members with an update on the action plan to improve delivery of the enhanced service agreement with General Practitioners in Thurrock who deliver Learning Disability Health Checks.

Although the Appendix to the report showed a considerable improvement and activity undertaken in Quarter 3, uptake of Learning Disability Health Checks still remains unacceptably poor within Thurrock.

The report showed an increase of 2% up on 2014/15, Quarter 3 performance.

A further report will be available at the end of the financial year to identify activity undertaken in Quarter 4 and will be presented to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

NHS England reissued the Enhanced Service to all practices in December 2015 to clarify how practices should be recording their health checks on their systems. In some instances the wrong READ codes had been used on clinical systems which had resulted in some completed health checks not being identified by the payment system. At present, there is no facility for GPs to re-code manually. Any discrepancies therefore had to be undertaken by NHS England.

Even in some instances practices were not declaring the activity on the payment system which had resulted in a nil return.

Sara Lingard confirmed that these issues were being addressed as a matter of urgency.

South Essex Partnership NHS Trust (SEPT) were commissioned as an alternative provider to deliver health checks for this year only. SEPT were also providing training to practices where required. Currently they were providing support to 8 named practices in Thurrock. Sara Lingard confirmed that they were confident that SEPT would reach as many patients as possible.

It was confirmed that clear and concise letters had been sent to those patients that have not responded to previous letters and to those that do not attend (DNA) pre-booked appointments.

Sara Lingard also stated that there were discrepancies between patient lists held by practices and those held by social services and that further investigation into list validation was currently being undertaken by NHS England.

It was agreed by all members and co-optee members that the figures were disappointing and unacceptable. It was questioned by all how come year on year practices sign up to do the Enhanced Service but do not actually provide the service.

A debate between Members and NHS England took place and it was agreed that GPs should be encouraged not to sign up to the Enhanced Service if there was no intention of carrying out these health checks.

Sara Lingard stated that Service Level Agreement contained KPIs which were in place at practices and that penalties were issued.

The Chair stated that the problem of using the wrong codes was not consistent in the report figures as some practices had proved that they had completed checks successfully with no problems with coding.

Sara Lingard confirmed this was a training issue that depended on the level of training received at certain practices.

Councillor Halden stated his concerns regarding those practices in the report  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

The Officer presented the report which outlined that the Strategy focuses on prevention and early intervention to ensure that Thurrock people can “add years to life to life to years”. The Strategy was goal-focused and contained outcomes that will make the most difference to the health and wellbeing of the population. Through consultation and engagement the following clear and concise goals were identified:

•           Opportunity for all

•           Healthier environments

•           Better emotional health and wellbeing

•           Quality care centred around the person

•           Healthier for longer

The success of the Strategy will be measured through an Outcomes Framework, which will enable the Board, Overview and Scrutiny Committee and the public to identify whether the Strategy is being delivered.

Further work to be undertaken on the Strategy is the development of an action plan which will clearly set out action owners and will enable relevant organisations and individuals to be held to account for their part in delivering the Strategy.

Ian Wake stated that this would be a living document and outlined the importance of engagement. With this in mind, from May 2016, HealthWatch will be undertaking engagement work on the Strategy’s five goals.  Each goal will be engaged on in turn with the results feeding in to Health and Wellbeing Board meetings.

Ian Wake paid tribute to Kim James, HealthWatch Co-optee, for her contribution to the huge consultation process undertaken in Thurrock, with over 500 responses.

Kim James stated that from the start this document should be a living document and encouraged Officers to bring back to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee to monitor progress.

Councillor Ojetola asked Kim James to elaborate on what the consultation process consisted off as he was unaware of any consultation process taking place in his ward. There was also concern that a selection of people may not have been given the opportunity to engage.

Kim James stated that they had a very short space of time to undertake the consultation process and although a good response was received it was not possible to speak to everyone. A number of forums and community meetings were arranged, on-line surveys, advertisements were put in local papers, visits to sheltered accommodation and hubs were also involved in the process.

Councillor Gupta stated that it was an excellent report but stated that the action plan should cover all health needs and identify how all residents would benefit.

The Chair agreed that it was an excellent and readable report and that this item should be returned to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee in the new municipal year.

RESOLVED

1.         That the Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee endorse the draft Thurrock Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy and Outcomes Framework and by doing so recommend its approval by Cabinet and Council March.

2.         That the Thurrock Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy 2016-2021 be added to the work programme for the municipal year 2016-17.

The Chair stated that this was the last Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee for this municipal year and that the work programme was now complete.

Councillors Gupta and Key stated that this was their last Health Overview & Scrutiny Committee and thanked the committee, members and officers for their contribution to a very effective committee.

The Chair thanked Members and Officers for their contribution and continued support to the Health Overview & Scrutiny Committees.

The Chair asked Member if there were any items to be added or discussed for the work programme for the next municipal year.

RESOLVED

1.         It was noted that the item Learning Disability Health Checks be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

2.         It was noted that the item Thurrock Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

3.         It was noted that the item PET-CT Scanner be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

4.         It was noted that the item Success Regime be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

5.         It was noted that the item Domiciliary Care be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

6.         It was noted that the item Core Offers be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

7.         It was noted that the item Health Hub be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.

8.         It was noted that the item Health of Looked After Children be added to the work programme for the 2016/17 municipal year work programme.