Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 2 February 2017.

RESOLVED- That the minutes of the meeting held on the 2 February 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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 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 and 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.

Phil Jarrold from Crewe and Nantwich Open Minds (CNOM), attended the meeting and addressed the Committee on issues that related to Mental Health Services in East Cheshire.  CNOM was a charitable group, that promoted mental health care and lobbied for funding and services to mainstream mental health.  The issues were brought in connection with mental health draft redesign consultation proposals that Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) would be presenting later in the meeting, specifically the proposal to close the Millbrook Unit for Adult and Older Peoples Inpatients in Macclesfield. 

Phil represented the views of both the East Cheshire Mental Health Forum, based in Macclesfield, and Open Minds, a similar forum based in the Crewe and Nantwich area and gave the Committee an overview of the current arrangements for mental health in Cheshire. 

The Chairman thanked Phil for his contribution and the groups interest in Scrutiny and the proactive approach of CNOM.

To consider a report of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. (to follow)

Sheena Cumisky the Chief Executive of Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) introduced her colleagues Dr. Tania Stanway, Dr Anushta Sivananthan and Suzanne Edwards who presented the Draft Redesign Consultation Proposal.

The Committee was shown a presentation by Dr. Stanway that outlined challenges to the NHS.  These included increased demand, improved outcomes, rural area travel time, staff recruitment and retention and inpatient accomodation.  CWP had experienced a 27% increase on services from the previous year with a 10% year-on-year increase.

CWP currently delivered services from five key sites:

·         Springview Hospital, Wirral;

·         Bowmere Hospital, Chester;

·         Delamere Community Resource Centre;

·         Soss Moss, Nether Alderley;

·         Millbrook Unit, Macclesfield; and

·         Lime Walk House and Jocelyn Soly Community Resource Centre

CWP treated 5000 patients in Cheshire East and 98% were treated within the community.

The Committee was shown three options that CWP proposed to take to formal consultation. 

·         to keep inpatient care at the Millbrook Unit by reducing mental health services in South and East Cheshire;

·         to provide specialist inpatient care from Bowmere Hospital in Chester and Springview Hospital in Wirral, alongside increased community mental health services based nearer to people’s homes in South and East Cheshire; and

·         to provide specialist inpatient care for Older People at Limewalk House in Macclesfield and specialist inpatient care for adults at Bowmere Hospital in Chester, alongside increased crisis and community mental health services based nearer to people’s homes in South and East Cheshire.

Dr. Stanway outlined the of the strengths and weaknesses of each option.

Suzanne summarised the immediate next steps, these included 12 weeks consultation, a programme of public events across east Cheshire, engagement events with interested groups and communications and promotional campaigns.  Following the public consultation, CWP anticipated presenting a report, prior to any changes, to:

·         the CWP Trust Board and Council of Governors;

·         Governing Bodies of NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG;

·         NHS Vale Royal CCG and South Cheshire CCG’s;

·         NHS England; and

·         Cheshire East Health and Adult Social Care OSC.

In response to the presentation the Committee questioned the key speakers about the content within the Draft Redesign Consultation Proposal. 

There was some discussion about options available in response to the utilisation of Limewalk House.  It was suggested that a tour of the building would be advantageous.

The Committee expressed concerns about the additional pressures that could be passed onto the emergency services if patients had to be transported over a longer distance.

RESOLVED

(a)  That the presentation be noted and CWP be thanked for their attendance and contributions.

(b)  That a visit be arranged to Limewalk House for the Committee to establish the location and feasibility of the venue as a part of the consultation process.

(c)  That the following Members be appointed to a working group:

Councillor Jos Saunders

Councillor Mick Warren

Councillor Sarah Pochin

Councillor Laura Jeuda

Councillor Gordon Baxendale

to develop the next steps of the consultation proposal in partnership with CWP and South Cheshire CCG, and Cheshire East Adults and Social Care Officers, taking into account the opinions of Committee members.

To consider a report of the Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. (to follow)

Dr. Anushta Sivananthan presented the CWP Quality Accounts to the Committee.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) rated CWP as ‘Good’ in 2005 and ‘Outstanding for Care’.  Following a re-inspection in October 2016 CQC rated CWP as ‘Good’.

RESOLVED- That the Quality Accounts be received and noted.

To review the current Work Programme

The Committee reviewed its work programme.

RESOLVED –

That subject to the following changes, the report be received:

·         Mental Health Reablement be put on hold awaiting the Better Care Fund (BCF) paper.

·         ESAR to be brought to the Committee in October

·         NWAS to be brought to the Committee in June

·         Private Enforcement to be included as part of the Community Safety day in April

·         Low Risk Domestic Violence be brought to the Committee in September

To note the current forward plan, identify any new items, and to determine whether any further examination of new issues is appropriate.

The Committee reviewed the forward plan.

RESOLVED – that the forward plan be received and noted.