Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed all in attendance, particularly Councillor D Ragan to her first Board meeting since her recent appointment at Council.

The Board was informed that Sohaib Akhtar was leaving the Council at the end of the month to pursue a role in Public Health for another local authority.  The Board thanked Sohaib for his work supporting the Board over recent months and wished him all the best for the future.

To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.

(The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.)

The following late information was submitted to the Board:

·  Agenda item 8 – Minutes of Executive Board meeting held on 19 April 2017

·  Agenda item 12 – Briefing note in relation to Proposed Prescribing Changes: Formal Consultation

·  Agenda item 12 – Letter dated 13 April 2017 from Assistant Medical Secretary, Leeds Local Medical Committee to Chair of Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Services, Public Health, NHS).

The above information was not available at the time of agenda despatch, but was subsequently made available on the Council’s website.

To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no disclosable pecuniary interests declared to the meeting, however the following matter was brought to the attention of the Scrutiny Board for information:

·  In relation to agenda item 12, ‘Proposed Prescribing Changes: Formal Consultation’, Councillor P Truswell advised that a family member was likely to be affected by the proposed prescribing changes.

Councillor P Truswell remained present for the item but took no part in the discussion.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were submitted by Councillors J Chapman, B Selby and A Smart.

No substitute members were in attendance. 

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 28 March 2017 be approved as a correct record.

Minute no. 151 – Scrutiny Inquiry – Men’s Health in Leeds

The Board was advised that comparative data and information from other core cities had been provided very recently and was to be shared with all members of the Board.

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting, held on 24 March 2017.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the West Yorkshire Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 24 March 2017, be noted.

Minute no. 24 – Access to Dental Services

The Board was advised that there had been a proposal to reduce current provision of Community Dental Services in Leeds, which the Board had expressed concerns about.  NHS England had recently advised that the procurement process had been halted and the existing arrangements extended for a further 12-month period, to allow fuller consideration of the proposals, including any formal consultation that may be required.  The Board welcomed this positive development.

To receive for information purposes the minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 19 April 2017. 

TO FOLLOW

RESOLVED – That the minutes of Executive Board held on 19 April 2017, be noted.

To receive an update from the Chair on scrutiny activity since the previous Board meeting and not specifically included elsewhere on this agenda.

The Chair provided a verbal update on recent scrutiny activity and points of discussion which had not been specifically included elsewhere on the agenda.

The following meetings/ visits were highlighted and discussed:

·  Wharfedale View (Extra Care Facility, Yeadon) – 31 March 2017

·  Chief Executive, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust – 4 April 2017

·  Chair, Leeds South and East CCG – 19 April 2017

·  Ruth Buchan – Chief Executive Officer, Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire – discussed proposed prescribing changes and funding changes to community pharmacy – 19 April 2017

·  Director of Adults and Health – 21 April 2017

·  Director of Public Health – 21 April 2017

Specific reference was also made to the ‘One City Care Home Quality and Sustainability’ event held on 7 April 2017, attended by a number of members from the Scrutiny Board.  The Chair also made a formal presentation to the event and had attended a follow-up meeting with a representative from Leeds Care Association to discuss some of the issues that had been raised. 

The Chair also highlighted a letter received from Chair of Health Select Committee regarding Scrutiny’s role in ensuring a robust suicide prevention plan is in place, which was relevant to the Board’s work around Men’s Health.

The Board also discussed the forthcoming General Election and the potential impact of the ‘pre-election period’ on any ongoing public consultations.  The Board’s view being that any public consultations relating to specific health or social care proposals should be extended by a period of time at least equivalent to the entire ‘pre-election period’. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the Chair’s update be noted.

(b)  That relevant NHS and Social Care bodies currently undertaking public consultation and affected by the ‘pre-election period’ be advised of the Board’s view that the consultation period should be extended by a period of time at least equivalent to the entire ‘pre-election period’. 

To receive a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support introducing a report from the Director of Adults and Health due to be considered by the Executive Board at its meeting on 19 April 2017.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which introduced a report from the Director of Adults and Health, due to be considered by the Executive Board at its meeting on 19 April 2017.

The following were in attendance:

-  Councillor Rebecca Charlwood – Executive Member for Health, Wellbeing and Adults

-  Cath Roff – Director, Adults and Health

-  Mark Phillott – Head of Commissioning (Contracts and Business Development), Adult Social Care

-  Anna Clifford – Programme Manager (Better Lives), Adult Social Care.

In presenting the Transition Plan and associated progress, the key areas of discussion were:

·  Clarification about ‘good’ or above CQC rated specialist provision, particularly in response to concerns regarding alternative provision.

·  The range of quality of care across care homes in Leeds.

·  An update on information sent to relatives to help them choose a new care home.

·  An update on the overall context as part of the Better Lives review of services and a specific progress update around the closure of Siegen Manor and Middlecross residential care homes.

·  A request that future reporting included an evaluation of overall progress.

During the discussion, the Chair invited Mrs Lindsay Cannon to join the discussion.  Mrs Cannon had previously provided the Scrutiny Board with a range of information in relation to The Green and surrounding care homes; and continued to provide members of the Board with a range of analysis by email.

The Board invited Adult Social Care officers to comment on the information provided to the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the contents of the report and the update provided at the meeting, be noted

(b)  That future reporting included an evaluation of overall progress of the Better Lives strategy and associated implementation. 

To consider a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support introducing an update against the Scrutiny Board’s previous recommendations following its inquiry into the involvement of the Third Sector in the provision of Health and Social Care Services across Leeds.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented an update against the Scrutiny Board’s previous recommendations following its inquiry into the involvement of the Third Sector in the provision of Health and Social Care Services across Leeds.

The following were in attendance:

-  Mick Ward – Interim Deputy Director (Integrated Commissioning), Adults and Health

-  Hannah Howe – Forum Central.

The Interim Deputy Director (Integrated Commissioning) and Forum Central representative gave a general update and detailed description of progress against each of the Scrutiny Board’s recommendations, demonstrating the degree of implementation. 

It was acknowledged that for some of the Board’s recommendations, progress was continuous and therefore difficult to definitively categorise as ‘complete’.  However, it was also recognised that the Scrutiny Board’s report and recommendations had helped focus and shape the on-going discussions between those responsible for statutory services and third sector organisations.    

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the updates provided be noted.

(b)  That consideration be given to more targeted monitoring and/or review of specific recommendations/ issues during the forthcoming new municipal year.

(Councillor A Hussain left the meeting at 3.00pm at the conclusion of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support introducing some proposed changes to prescribing changes across Leeds, as part of the formal public consultation. 

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented an update on some proposed changes to prescribing changes across Leeds, as part of the formal public consultation.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Briefing information for Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Services, Public Health, NHS) - Over the counter medicines: a proposal (February 2017)

-  Draft guidance to reduce prescriptions for minor conditions, other conditions suitable for self-care, gluten free products and branded prescribing

-  ‘Changing the way we prescribe in Leeds’ – Consultation Plan

-  Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire – Response to proposed changes to prescribing.

The following were in attendance:

-  Dr Ian Cameron – Director of Public Health, Leeds City Council.

-  Ruth Buchan – Chief Executive Officer, Community Pharmacy West Yorkshire.

It was highlighted that due to the announcement of the forthcoming General Election and the current ‘pre-election period’, representatives from Leeds Clinical Commissioning Groups had advised they would be unable to attend and discuss the proposals at a public meeting.  While accepting the decision not to attend, the Board expressed its disappointment in this regard. 

The key areas of discussion were:

·  Concern about the potential issue of creating a postcode prescribing arrangement.

·  Concern about any potential impact on health inequality if certain items were unavailable on prescription. 

·  Concern about greater responsibilities placed on pharmacists and the level of engagement that had taken place.

·  Concern around any local changes within the context of planned work / proposals at a national level (which had been the subject of recent announcements from NHS England).

·  A request that the Principal Scrutiny Adviser draft a statement on behalf of the Scrutiny Board,  highlighting the Board’s concerns:  The intention being to submit the Board’s statement to the CCG prior to the end of the municipal year. 

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the update on proposed changes to prescribing changes across Leeds, as part of the formal public consultation, be noted.

(b)  That, on behalf of the Scrutiny Board, the Principal Scrutiny Adviser draft a statement highlighting the Board’s concerns.

(c)  That the statement referred to in (b) above be submitted to Leeds Clinical Commissioning Groups prior to the end of the 2016/17 municipal year. 

(Councillor S Varley left the meeting at 3.25pm at the conclusion of this item.)

To receive and consider a report from the Director of Public Health providng an update on the NHS Health Check programme in Leeds, and to enable the Board to review the programme in order to enhance its role in improving men’s health.

The Director of Public Health submitted a report which provided an update on the NHS Health Check programme in Leeds.

The following information was appended to the report:

-  Comparison of Public Health England 3.5 year reported performance for Leeds with LCC 5 year statistics

-  Leeds and LCC Evaluation of the pilot NHS Health Check programme in Leeds.

The following were in attendance:

-  Dr Ian Cameron – Director of Public Health, Leeds City Council

-  Lucy Jackson – Chief Officer /Consultant in Public Health, Adults and Health

-  Diane Burke – Head of Public Health (Long Term Conditions), Adults and Health

-  Professor Alan White – Founder and Co-director of the Centre for Men’s Health, Leeds Beckett University

-  Dr Amanda Seims – Centre for Men’s Health, Leeds Beckett University.

The key areas of discussion were:

·  The forthcoming re-commissioning of NHS health checks.

·  Specific ‘health check’ challenges in relation to men and the Boards consideration of ‘men’s health’.   

·  The need to raise awareness about health checks generally (including eligibility criteria) but specifically targeting those not routinely accessing health care services.

·  Exploring the potential for employees to be granted time off from the workplace to attend health checks.  It was suggested that such health checks would need to be undertaken independently of employers and trade unions would need to be consulted on this issue.

·  Concern that patients living in deprived areas were not accessing health checks.

·  A request that the Board be provided with an update on current take-up in Leeds.

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the update on the NHS Health Check Programme in Leeds, be noted.

(b)  That the Board be provided with an update on current take-up in Leeds.

To receive and consider a report from the Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support presenting a draft statement in relation to NHS Blood and Transplant decision to close the Blood Donor Centre in Seacroft.

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which presented a draft statement in relation to NHS Blood and Transplant’s decision to close the Blood Donor Centre in Seacroft.

RESOLVED – That, subject to final drafting amendments agreed with the Chair, the Board’s draft response in relation to NHS Blood and Transplant’s decision to close the Blood Donor Centre in Seacroft, be approved.

To review the Scrutiny Board’s work schedule for 2016/17 and identify any specific matters for potential consideration during 2017/18. 

The Head of Governance and Scrutiny Support submitted a report which invited Members to consider the Board’s work schedule for the 2016/17 municipal year.

The Board discussed arranging a working group meeting to take place in May to consider any outstanding areas of work.

RESOLVED – That a working group meeting be scheduled to take place in May to consider any outstanding areas of work.

The date and time of the next meeting is to be confirmed. 

The Board was advised that future meeting dates were subject to confirmation.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Chair thanked members of the Scrutiny Board for their attendance and contributions throughout the year.

(The meeting concluded at 3.55pm)