Healthier Communities and Older People Scrutiny Panel – 14 September 2010

PRESENT: Councillor Wells in the chair.

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

The panel met at Pittwood House, Scunthorpe.

275 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:

Member
Minute
Subject & Nature of Interest
Councillor Ali General Member of the Board of Directors – Scunthorpe & District MIND
Crosby Community Association

No whip was declared.

276 PUBLIC REQUESTS TO SPEAK There were no requests received.

277 (7) LIVING WELL WITH DEMENTIA: NATIONAL DEMENTIA STRATEGY. PROGRESS ON NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE’S IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN. Discussion with Mike Briggs, Service Director Adult Services and Lynne Hall, Head of Commissioning for Vulnerable People, NHS North Lincolnshire – The chair welcomed Mike and Lynne to the meeting and invited them to update members on progress on the local dementia implementation strategy and action plan. Members discussed a range of related issues, including awareness raising and early intervention, care homes, support for carers and co-ordinated local planning.

Resolved – (a) That Mike Briggs and Lynne Hall be thanked for their attendance and input, and (b) that, upon publication of a forthcoming consultation on adult mental health, consideration be given by members to respond fully or to conduct a separate piece of work on the subject of dementia.

278 (8) CONSIDERATION OF FUTURE WORK PROGRAMME AND PRIORITIES – The Service Director Legal and Democratic outlined a number of potential issues for future work by the panel, including reference to the earlier decision on dementia (minute 277 refers). Information on poorly performing services was provided, along with issues already identified by members.

Resolved – (a) That, as described in minute 277, consideration be given by members to conduct further work on the issue of dementia, (b) that further information be provided to members on the council’s approach to the Total Place agenda, and (c) that a scoping document on the local strategic approach to tackling inequality (including health inequality) be presented to the next scheduled meeting of the panel, prior to beginning a formal review.

279 (9) SAFE AND SUSTAINABLE: CHILDREN’S HEART SURGERY – The Service Director Legal and Democratic updated members on a recent briefing paper outlining forthcoming proposals to alter the national model of care for children’s heart surgery. It was explained that, if members considered the proposals to constitute a “substantial variation”, formal consultation would be required. Leeds City Council have kindly offered to co-ordinate a regional response if required.

Resolved – That, upon publication of proposals in October 2010, further consideration be given by the panel to members’ preferred consultation method.

280 (10) LIBERATING THE NHS. INCREASING DEMOCRATIC LEGITIMACY IN HEALTH (8) AND COMMISSIONING FOR PATIENTS (9). The Service Director Legal and Democratic introduced two ongoing national consultations arising from the coalition government’s White Paper Equity and Excellence: Liberating the NHS. The chair began a discussion of some key elements of both consultation documents, inviting comments on the questions set out by the coalition government. Members discussed a range of related issues, including democratic involvement, GP consortia, and the potential make-up of the proposed Health and Wellbeing Board.

Resolved – (a) That a short briefing paper be prepared for members, identifying potential issues for further discussion, and (b) that a formal response be agreed by members at the next scheduled meeting of the panel.

281(11) 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 September to December 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.