Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Tracey Bullock, Chief Inspector A Fairclough, Tom Knight and Dr A Wilson.

To provide an opportunity for Members and Officers to declare any disclosable pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests in any item on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2018 as a correct record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2018 were approved as a correct record.

In accordance with paragraph 2.32 of the Committee Procedural Rules and Appendix 7 to the Rules a period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the meeting on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.  Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

No members of the public wished to speak.

To consider a report on the Cheshire East Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment 2018 – 2021.

Consideration was given to this report giving an up to date statement of pharmaceutical needs.  The Board had been given delegated authority to develop and produce a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) for the area every three years; NHS England was then responsible for using it, and any other relevant information, to consider applications to open a new pharmacy, move an existing pharmacy or to commission additional services from a pharmacy.

Following a detailed consultation process the responses received had been reviewed together with additional information to check the findings presented within the PNA.  The report had been shared with neighbouring authorities and vice versa in order to achieve as wide a view as possible of provision both in and around Cheshire East.  Concerns regarding accessibility and provision in areas of planned housing growth had been addressed and the provision for the towns and villages of Cheshire East found to be adequate in terms of location, opening hours, and the services offered.  No current or anticipated future need for new services had been identified.

In discussing the report and its findings it was agreed that the definition of ‘adequate’ should be added into the report. With reference to delivery services in rural areas it was requested that some research be carried out to ascertain both the reliability and satisfaction with the service; whilst this was outside the remit of the report it was agreed that this would be useful information and that it should be followed up.  It was also agreed that the results of the current trial to place pharmacists in care homes should be shared with the adult social care team.

RESOLVED

1.    That any pharmacy closures within neighbouring Health and Well-being Boards be considered in order to assess the potential impact on areas with already lower pharmacy:population ratios, and that this process be delegated to the Director of Public Health on behalf of the Board. 

2.    That continued consideration be made by NHS England, Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and local authority commissioners of the expertise within community pharmacies to case-find, deliver brief interventions, provide additional healthy lifestyle advice and signposting within the wider health system.

3.    It be noted that Pharmacists need to ensure accessibility of their premises and to information materials such as leaflets and prescription labels and to review the dispensing process to understand the problems that are leading to general dissatisfaction of customers about long waiting times.

4.    That more be done by the Clinical Commissioning Groups to promote the Minor Ailments Service more widely.

5.    That the definition of ‘adequate’ be added into the report; that research be carried out into the efficacy of delivery services in rural areas; and the results of the current trial to place pharmacists in care homes be shared with the adult social care team.

To consider an update on the Carers Strategy and Carers Hub.

Consideration was given to progress to date against the five key priorities and the actions set out in the Carers Strategy Delivery Plan 2016/18 which continued to be a driver for change, focussing on the key areas that Carers said were important to them and would make a real impact upon improving their health and wellbeing. 

The Strategy also led the approach for the re-commissioning of carers services to achieve improved outcomes for them whilst at the same time responding to both legislative requirements and budget restrictions.  The Strategy also strengthened the partnership approach for the mutual benefit of the Council and the CCGs, both aligned to the Better Care Fund.

The Committee was advised that Encompass NW had been successful in its bid to provide a single point of contact service which, when introduced, would address one of the main needs identified during consultations.  The Committee discussed the success of the Carer’s Living Well Fund, through which 872 breaks had been provided since November 2017, and was informed that the service would continue to be offered via the Carers Hubs.  The positive impact for young carers through the development of the Carers Hub was welcomed; the service was due to go live at the beginning of April and an update on this would be provided at the next meeting, to include details of their locations which were particularly important bearing in mind the lack of transport available to many young carers. 

RESOLVED

That the report be noted.

To consider an update on the Connecting Care Programme.

Consideration was given to the progress of the Caring Together Programme since the last meeting.  The report set out the achievements of the Programme which was now being closed down following the decision to establish the Central and Eastern Cheshire Health and Care Partnership. It was reported that a Memorandum of Understanding and governance arrangements were now being finalised for the new Partnership and it was envisaged there would be an Executive Group, a Stakeholder Forum and a Care Professional Advisory Group, all of which would report to a Joint Programme Board.

Work plans were being developed to identify the most appropriate configuration of services and organisational form to effectively meet the care needs of local people within the resources available; the aim was to retain as many services as possible locally and for care to be provided in the community.  Detailed proposals would be shared with the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and key stakeholders prior to public consultation in 2018/19 for which a stakeholder analyses and communication strategy were being developed.

RESOLVED

That the report and plans to merge the two local transformation programmes, Connecting Care (NHS South Cheshire CCG and NHS Vale Royal CCG) and Caring Together (NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG) be noted and also that discussions are underway to agree the geography for the joint programme.