Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel – 25 January 2011

PRESENT: Councillor Barker in the chair.

Councillors Ali, Collinson, Eckhardt, Sidell, Simpson and Wells.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

308 DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – Cllr Collinson declared a personal interest in item 310 as a service user.

No whip was declared.

309 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

310 REVIEW OF VASCULAR SERVICES IN YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER. The chair welcomed John Berry, Deputy Director of Engagement, NHS North Lincolnshire to the meeting and invited him to introduce the proposals for regional vascular services. John explained that vascular services had been under review since 2008 in order to improve patient outcomes, to meet national standards and to ensure that services were sustainable in the longer term across the region. Locally, this would involve some centralisation of complex or surgical services, mainly into Hull, although a presence in Northern Lincolnshire would remain.

Members asked various questions about the proposals, including funding implications, the potential for increasing demand, emergency diagnosis and transportation and future commissioning arrangements.

Resolved – That a response to the consultation be returned setting out the panel’s support for the proposed model.

311 INFLUENZA WITHIN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE OVER THE WINTER PERIOD – The chair then asked John to provide a short update on the local situation regarding the impact of influenza in North Lincolnshire. John explained that the situation was more favourable in North Lincolnshire than in other parts of the country. All GPs had sufficient supplies of vaccines, the acute sector was coping well with the demand and the incidence rate was decreasing.

Resolved – That the situation be noted.

312 HEALTH AND WELLBEING DRAFT ACTION PLAN – The chair invited Steve Mercer, the council’s Health Improvement and Partnership Manager and Jo Andrew, Head of HR (Corporate Services) to introduce a draft action plan arising from the panel’s previous report “Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of North Lincolnshire Council’s Staff”. This was to seek members’ views on the draft action plan prior to submission to cabinet. Members discussed the document and raised several issues, including the need for associated budgets.

Resolved – (a) That Steve Mercer and Jo Andrew be thanked for preparing the draft action plan, and (b) That the Service Director Legal and Democratic draft and submit a short note setting out the panel’s views to accompany the action plan at Cabinet on 2 February 2011.

313 DEVELOPMENTS IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE – UPDATE FOR MEMBERS – The Service Director Legal and Democratic outlined a number of key developments in the health and social care field, locally, regionally and nationally. These included the Health and Social Care Bill currently in Parliament and proposals to “cluster” senior management across Primary Care Trusts.

Resolved – (a) That the situation be noted, and regular updates to the panel be continued, and (b) that the panel take appropriate action where required.

314 (18) LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN –SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for January to April 2011.

The plan contained details of all matters and issues likely to be the subject of key decisions for a period of the next four months, updated on a monthly basis. Members discussed various items on the Forward Plan.

Resolved – That the position be noted.