Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel – 23 February 2010

PRESENT:  Councillor Barker in the chair.

Councillors Wells (Vice-Chairman), Collinson, Eckhardt, Jawaid, Simpson and Sidell.

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

237  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – There were no declarations of personal or personal and prejudicial interests.

No whip was declared.

238  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAKThere were no requests received.

239  DEVELOPMENTS IN HEART ATTACK AND STROKE CARE – JOINT PRESENTATION TO THE SCRUTINY PANEL AND MEMBERS OF WHO CARES – Presentation and discussion with Alan Nobbs, Network Director – North and East Yorkshire & Northern Lincolnshire Cardiac and Stroke Network and Caroline Briggs, Director of Strategic Commissioning and Development, NHS North Lincolnshire – The Chair welcomed all members of Who Cares who had accepted the invitation to attend, and Alan and Caroline.  Alan was invited to address the panel.

Members received a visual presentation, which outlined proposals for new pathways of care for people suffering from heart attack and stroke.  Alan explained the reasoning behind the need for change and how this had been determined by guidance from the Department of Health.

The presentation then provided clarification as to what caused a heart attack, the principles of treating a heart attack, and then explained the pro’s and con’s for using the current treatment method of Thrombolysis compared to the proposed treatment of Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PPCI).

Discussions ensued around the proposed PPCI treatment and how this could only be delivered at certain specialist hospitals and what knock on effect this would have for both the patients/visitors having to go to Hull, and also the cardiology service within Scunthorpe General Hospital.

The presentation then focused on Stroke Care, the two main types being Ischaemic and Haemorrhagic, and how these differed.  Alan explained the principles of treating stroke, how at present the comprehensive acute stroke unit in  Hull’s Castle Hill hospital was the local tertiary specialist centre and provided what was classed as a level 1 service.  The panel was advised that the aspirations were to ensure that Scunthorpe General Hospital attained a Level 2 service.  It was acknowledged that this would present challenges and therefore no definitive timescales could be given.

Resolved – (a)  That Alan and Caroline be thanked for their attendance at the meeting and for a most informative presentation and discussion session, (b) that the members from Who Cares be thanked for their attendance, and (c) that the position be noted.

240  IVF POLICY – PROPOSALS TO MOVE TOWARDS A REGIONAL POLICY – discussion with Caroline Briggs, Director of Strategic Commissioning and Development, NHS North Lincolnshire – Caroline Briggs provided members with an overview of why there had been a proposal made to move towards a regional IVF policy and also what impact that would have on recipients within North Lincolnshire.

The panel was advised that with the introduction of the common policy, more local people would be eligible for IVF treatment in the future, this included an increase in the upper male age limit, which would involve an estimated additional £70,000 being made available for IVF treatment in North Lincolnshire.

Members engaged in further discussions.

Resolved – That the position be noted.

241  THE PROPOSED INTEGRATED HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE CENTRE – update from Geoff Day, Deputy Director of Strategic Commissioning and Development, NHS North Lincolnshire –  The Chair welcomed Geoff to the meeting, and invited him to provide members of the panel with an update on the new health and social care centre.

Geoff explained that a site purchase had been agreed, one that would also incorporate access to 35 car park spaces.  Members were advised that the planning application had been submitted on 31 November 2009 and that a decision was imminent.

Further discussions ensued over the consultation exercise that had been undertaken and whether recommendations of local people had been taken on board, whether the transport strategy had been addressed and whether the clinic would be accessible for those using public transport, and the services that would be available within the centre.

Geoff confirmed that consultations had been held with the local community and suggestions had been included within the plans.  It was hoped that the new building would be perceived as a community building in addition to providing health and dental clinics.

The Chair asked that Geoff expand on the dental service as new service provision had been rolled out as from 1 November 2009.  The panel was advised that the new service had been procured from an existing practice, which had decided to remain within their current property rather than incurring significant moving costs.  The new service providers aimed to have the 6,000 people who were on the waiting list, all offered treatment by October 2010.  Geoff confirmed that great headway had already been made into reaching this target, and that within the first three months, 2,355 patients had been seen or were undergoing treatment.

Resolved – (a) That Geoff be thanked for his attendance at the meeting and for his informative update on the clinic, and (b) that the position be noted.

242  (22) THE INVERSE CARE LAW IN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – CONSIDERATION OF THE DRAFT REPORT AND COMMENTS RECEIVED FROM PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS – TheService Director Legal and Democratic explained that since the last meeting when the panel had considered the draft report, further helpful comments had been received from partners and stakeholders which were perceived to be of benefit to the report.

It was agreed that the comments would be included within the report and that the report would be subsequently approved in full by Councillors Sidell, Eckhardt and Simpson.  Prior to publication it was agreed that the report be presented to the next Council meeting on 17 March 2010.

Resolved – (a)  That the above course of action be approved, and (b)  that the report on the Inverse Care Law in North Lincolnshire be approved and submitted to council for its consideration.

243  (23)  LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – FEBRUARY TO MAY 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for February to May 2010.

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.