Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors M Hardy, D Hough and G Wait.

Councillor J Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing

D J French Scrutiny Officer

G Kilminster Head of Health Improvement

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2012.  

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 12 January be confirmed as a correct record.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests and for members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda.

Councillor J Wray declared a personal interest in item 6 – The Cheshire and Wirral Councils Joint Scrutiny Committee - on the grounds that he is a Governor of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

A total period of 15 minutes is allocated for members of the public to make a statement(s) on any matter that falls within the remit of the Committee.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes, but the Chairman will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned, where there are a number of speakers.

Note: in order for officers to undertake any background research, it would be helpful if members of the public notified the Scrutiny officer listed at the foot of the agenda at least one working day before the meeting with brief details of the matter to be covered.

There were no members of the public present who wished to speak at the meeting.

To receive a verbal update from the Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing.

Councillor Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing, updated the Committee on progress with developing the Health and Wellbeing Board. 

The Shadow Board had not met recently but a great deal of work was underway in the background. 

The Clinical Commissioning Groups were in the process of putting together staff structures.  The transition of public health into the Council was underway with staffing arrangements under consideration and accommodation at Westfields being planned.  A transition paper was being produced for consideration by the shadow Health and Wellbeing Board, which included a risk assessment.

A joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy was being developed and would be submitted to a future meeting for consideration. 

There was still little information available about the transition of the Local Involvement Network (LINk) into Healthwatch although more information around funding had been received.  It had been confirmed that the commissioning of Healthwatch would be the responsibility of the local authority.  The LINk were to give a presentation to the Health and Wellbeing Board updating on progress from their side.  Healthwatch would have a wider role than the LINk although it was not clear yet how advocacy services would be provided.  Healthwatch would formally exist from April 2013 and would be a Corporate Body. 

In discussing the matter the following issues were raised:

      Whether third sector organisations were involved in the development of Healthwatch?  In response, the Committee was advised that informal talks had been held with various voluntary organisations including the Cheshire East Council for Voluntary Services (CVS).  There had also been a Steering Group established since the Cheshire East LINk had been granted Pathfinder status and this Group comprised various members including the LINk Executive, CVS, other voluntary bodies and provider organisations from the Health service; it was chaired by a Cheshire East officer.  In addition, the LINk had a vast organisational membership.  It was anticipated that a Shadow Healthwatch would be operational in October.  The Portfolio Holder would investigate the current situation and it was proposed that an update report on Healthwatch be submitted to a future meeting of this Committee;

      Members discussed how members of the public would be made aware of the changes in the Health and Social Care Bill 2011 and how this may impact on them.  It was noted that the Clinical Commissioning Groups’ view was that patients should not see any difference in their day to day dealings with their GP.  It was important that any information made public must be timely and relevant.  The Council’s Skilled Multi-Agency Response Teams (SMART) would be a vehicle for easing in the changes as they were integrated teams of health and social care staff.  Communication and information could be provided in a variety of ways including in GP surgeries and hospitals, which was where the majority of people came into contact with health services. 

      How would Healthwatch be funded?  The Committee was advised that funding would be given to the Local Authority from Central Government.  It had been expected that the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 74.

To receive the minutes of the meeting of the Cheshire and Wirral Councils Joint Scrutiny Committee held on 23 January 2012.

The Committee considered the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Scrutiny Committee held on 23 January.  The Joint Committee scrutinised the work of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provided mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services.   At the meeting, the Joint Committee had received a full presentation on the Trust’s Suicide Prevention Strategy which would require review in the light of a new national strategy and the formation and role of Health and Wellbeing Boards.

The Joint Committee had also had a full debate on its future based on a tabled report of a telephone conference between the Chairman of the Joint Committee and the Spokesperson.  Consideration had also been given to varying the numbers on the Joint Committee and the need to take into account the impact of the changes in the NHS. 

The Committee discussed the role of the Joint Committee taking into account a number of points:

      The Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was one provider of mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services in Cheshire East, however, there were also other providers that may need scrutinising;

      The Health and Wellbeing Board would be the future commissioner of health and social care services in Cheshire East and it may be a more effective and efficient use of resources to concentrate scrutiny work in that area;

      The demography and health and wellbeing profile of the 3 constituent authorities was very different, leading to different commissioning priorities;

      The existence of the Committee did give a profile to mental health and learning disability;

      Although CWP had service provision across the patch which could be accessed by residents across Cheshire and Wirral, provision in practice tended to be as local as possible with Members naturally focusing on the service within their own Authority area;

      When service changes have been proposed in the past, these had been reported to both the Joint Committee and the local Committee, leading to duplication.

In the light of the above points, Members discussed disbanding the Joint Committee and the scrutiny of mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services being undertaken by the local Committees.  Members discussed the need to ensure they were fully aware of mental health and learning disability provision in Cheshire East from all providers and requested an early update.

RESOLVED:  that

(a) the Constitution Committee be recommended to approve the disbanding of the Joint Scrutiny Committee and the scrutiny of mental health, learning disability and drug and alcohol services be undertaken by the local Committees; and

(b) an update on mental health and learning disability services be provided for the Committee at a future meeting.

To review the current Work Programme (attached).

The Committee considered the current Work Programme.  It was noted that the National Strategy for Alcohol was anticipated in around 4 – 6 weeks and the debate on Minimum Unit Pricing was still on-going.  A draft Health and Wellbeing Strategy was being produced and would be submitted to the next meeting.  The Lifestyle Concept was progressing with the approval of Cabinet of expenditure on the existing centres at Wilmslow and Macclesfield; a report from PriceWaterhouseCoopers was awaited on the business case regarding whether or not to invest in any new Centres. 

The Committee discussed the item on the Health and Wellbeing of Carers and noted that a review of Residential Provision being undertaken by Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee included consideration of carers needs and that Committee was also keeping the Carers Strategy under review.  Reference was also made to the impact of the Lifestyle approach on Carers.  Members felt it would be helpful to seek an update from Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee on Carers. 

The Committee also discussed the research being undertaken on suicide prevention and reference was made to a Health Profile which suggested higher rates of self harm among young people.  It was noted that the organisation Visyon provided mental health support to young people locally and had an office base in Congleton. 

RESOLVED:  that

(a) the Work Programme be updated in accordance with discussion during the meeting;

(b) the Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee be requested to provide an update report on its scrutiny work in relation to Carers; and

(c) research on suicide prevention continue and an update be made to a future meeting.

To consider extracts of the Forward Plan that fall within the remit of the Committee.

There were no items on the Forward Plan for consideration by the Committee.

To note any consultations referred to the Committee from Cabinet and to determine whether any further action is appropriate.

There were no consultations from Cabinet.