northlincs.gov.uk

Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel – 9 March 2010

PRESENT:  Councillor Barker in the chair.

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

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

244  DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL OR PERSONAL AND PREJUDICIAL INTERESTS AND DECLARATIONS OF WHIPPING ARRANGEMENTS (IF ANY) – The following member declared a personal interest in the following matter:-

No whip was declared.

245  PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK– There were no requests received.

246  TRANSFORMING COMMUNITY SERVICES – Presentation and discussion with Karen Fanthorpe, NHS North Lincolnshire – The Chair welcomed Karen to the meeting and advised the panel that Tim Fowler had submitted his apologies before the meeting.  Karen was invited to address the panel.

Members received a visual presentation, which outlined the timeline for change and how proposals from Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber (RDaSH) Community Services and also Lindsey Healthcare Ltd/NlaG had been presented to a panel of commissioners.  The panel was advised that the proposals had now been referred to the cooperation and competition panel for approval.  Once received a decision could be reached.

Members engaged in discussions and asked whether public consultation would be conducted.  Karen clarified that public consultation would only be necessary if there were changes to the service.  At present this was not anticipated, however members were assured that should there be any changes made, then the proposals would be opened to public consultation.

The panel was advised that both proposals were strong, and met both local requirements and national legislative changes.

Resolved – (a)  That Karen Fanthorpe be thanked for attending the meeting and for providing an informative presentation, (b) that once a decision has been made Karen advise the panel as to who was successful in their bid,  and (c) that the position be noted.

247  DISCUSSION WITH REPRESENTATIVES FROM EAST MIDLAND AMBULANCE SERVICE (EMAS) NHS TRUST – The Chair advised Members that Greg Cox had been invited to attend the meeting in light of the recent publicity surrounding the cleanliness of certain ambulance vehicles within the East Midlands Ambulance Service.  Greg was welcomed to the meeting and invited to address the panel.

Greg Cox explained that the areas of concern had arisen in another authority, but the concerns over infection control was one that could not be taken lightly, and therefore a review had been undertaken of the cleaning regime for the whole of the service.

The panel was advised that in addition to the day to day cleaning, each vehicle was taken off duty every four weeks to under go a deep clean.  In addition, regular vehicle inspections were being carried out and also ambulance station cleanliness audits being undertaken.

An example of excellence had been identified by the Clinical Quality Commission within North Lincolnshire, and the good practice was being rolled out as additional training, to promote the awareness of infection control and also safeguarding issues.

Members engaged in further discussions and covered additional issues such as the New System Status Plan that had been introduced, the re-defined vehicle standby points that had been established and also the introduction of additional relief staff to support performance on training.

Resolved – (a) That Greg Cox be thanked for his attendance at the meeting and for addressing the recent concerns with regards to vehicle cleanliness, (b) that Greg Cox enquire as to whether there is any representation on the EMAS Executive Board from North Lincolnshire, and (c) that the position be noted.

248  (24)  LEADER OF THE COUNCIL’S FORWARD PLAN – MARCH TO JUNE 2010 – The Service Director Legal and Democratic circulated the Leader of North Lincolnshire Council’s Forward Plan for March to June 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.

249  ADDED ITEM – NHS DENTISTRY SERVICE WITHIN NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE – Councillor Eckhardt was invited to address the panel.  He explained that recently published figures for NHS dentistry had identified North Lincolnshire as giving cause for concern.

Out of a maximum rating of 5, North Lincolnshire had only scored 1.17.  Councillor Eckhardt explained that the survey had been conducted to find out how every one of the country’s Primary Care Trusts had fared, and the general perception received from the dentists that they worked with.

Members engaged in further discussions over the results, those PCT’s that had been identified as the best performing, how North Lincolnshire PCT rating of 1.17 was lower than the national average of 1.97, the budgets and payment systems for NHS dentists and the impact of fluoridation within the water.

Resolved – (a) That Geoff Day, NHS North Lincolnshire be invited to attend a future scheduled meeting to provide a response to these findings, and (b) that the position be noted.