Agenda and minutes

Councillor A Thwaite, substitute for Councillor M Hardy

Councillor J Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care

Councillor S Gardiner, Cabinet Support Member

G Kilminster, Head of Health Improvement

Dr H Grimbaldeston, Director of Public Health

D Taylor, Children, Families and Adults

D French, Scrutiny Team

M Nedderman, Scrutiny Team

A Bacon, Project Director

F Field, South Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group

Councillor D Beckett, Cheshire West and Chester Council

D Jones, Cheshire West and Chester Council

Wayne Connor Scahill, Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 November 2012.

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 8 November be confirmed as a correct record.

There were no declarations of interest made.

To provide an opportunity for Members to declare the existence of a party whip in relation to any item on the agenda

There were no declarations of the existence of a party whip.

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 address the Committee.

To consider a report of Andy Bacon, Programme Director.

Mr Bacon, Programme Director, briefed the Committee on the current position with the integrated health and wellbeing centre for Knutsford.   His report updated the Committee on the project and made recommendations for the timing and content of the consultation process.

Mr Bacon explained that consultations were underway on both Foundation Trust status for East Cheshire Hospital Trust and for the closure of the Tatton Ward, Knutsford Hospital.  These consultations would end in February 2013. 

In relation to the Health and Wellbeing Centre, local GPs had had 2 formal meetings to develop new clinical models.  Outline clinical specifications were expected by the end of February 2013.  Engagement activity with patient groups had started, as well as meetings with Knutsford Town Council and Town Plan representatives.  Articles had been published in the local press and on the website Knutsford.com.  A recruitment process was underway to appoint someone to lead on the consultation. 

In view of the on-going clinical work; to enable clear separation of this consultation from that on Foundation Trust status and the Tatton Ward closure proposals; and to enable the recruitment of someone to lead on the communication and engagement process, it was proposed that the engagement period be extended from the end of January to mid February.  This would mean delaying the consultation period for 6 weeks.  It was proposed that the consultation period remain at 12 weeks but the start be delayed.  

Draft consultation questions were suggested with the two key questions relating to the co-location of the GP practices and the siting of the new centre. 

During discussion of the item the following issues were raised:

      Whether the current integrated health centres were delivering the services that were envisaged?  Members reported that anecdotally the new Centres seemed highly regarded and were well attended.  Fiona Field of the South Clinical Commissioning Group suggested it may be helpful for the Committee to receive a list of services that had moved out of hospital provision and were now provided in GP surgeries which Members agreed;

      What were the limitations in having a commercial landlord of the proposed Centre at Knutsford?  In response, Mr Bacon explained that as GP practices would be the anchor tenant of the Centre it would be important that the landlord ensured they were satisfied with the provision etc.  A Memorandum of Understanding had also been signed between partners and GPs would have certain residual rights. 

RESOLVED:  That

(a) the engagement period for the integrated Health and Wellbeing Centre in Knutsford be extended for a period of six weeks;

(b) the consultation on the Centre starts in March 2013, after the engagement period;

(c) the consultation period takes place over a 12 week period;

(d) the draft list of consultation questions and themes be supported:

(e) a list of services that have been moved out of hospital and into GP surgeries be submitted to a future meeting.

To receive a verbal update from the Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care.

Councillor Clowes, Portfolio Holder for Health and Adult Social Care, updated on the following matters:

      The Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy had been approved by the two Clinical Commissioning Groups and would be submitted to Cabinet on 17 December;

      There would be a statutory responsibility to carry out health checks as part of the Council’s public health role.  Dr Grimbaldeston explained that this service would be provided through primary care and discussions had been held with the 2 Clinical Commissioning Groups around how the service would operate.  As well as general checks, there would also be a targeted approach based on local needs.  The health check system would enable the Council to have a greater understanding of the health of its population and would contribute towards achieving the priorities in the Health and Wellbeing Strategy;

      The Clinical Commissioning Groups were progressing towards authorisation with another stage having been completed;

      Draft Terms of Reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board were still in preparation and awaiting further guidelines which were expected in January;

      The Health and Wellbeing Board Launch had taken place on 7 November; it had been well attended and had received positive feedback;

      Interviews had been held for the contract for the local Healthwatch with 4 organisations being interviewed.  Each tender was now being evaluated.

In discussing the item, the following issues were raised:

      How would GPs be helped to ensure that health checks were carried out for harder to reach people?  In response, the Committee was advised that methods would include holding health checks in areas where people were already attending, such as a football ground.  There was also work taking place within the Council regarding engaging harder to reach groups and GPs could link in with this work;

      It was important to ensure focus was put on wellbeing rather than just health.  The Committee was advised on work that had been started about 10 months ago where council departments, such as environmental health, were asked to identify where health and wellbeing was being embedded in services, the outcome of this work was expected shortly.

RESOLVED: that the update be noted.

To review the current Work Programme (attached).

The Committee considered its work programme.  Members asked for an update on the previous scrutiny review of Diabetes/Obesity.  It was noted that the report following the Scrutiny Review had been referred to the Health and Wellbeing Board to progress.  

Mrs Towse reported on the work of the Local Involvement Network which was continuing with its Enter and View work specifically looking at paediatric and maternity services.

Councillor Clowes explained that the winter warmth programme was underway and a Winter Planning Group met regularly comprising representatives of various bodies such as the Police, Fire and Rescue Service, Third Sector and Council departments.  This should enable a coordinated approach.  The Group would continue to meet all year round to ensure preventative work took place and contribute to personal and community resilience.  Reference was made to Home Safety Assessments carried out by the Fire Service which included information on heating methods and costs.

RESOLVED:  the work programme be noted.

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

There were no items on the Forward Plan for the attention of the Committee.

Councillor Clowes reported on an item on the agenda for Cabinet on 10 December which considered the commissioning of a Lifestyle Centre for Crewe.  

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.