Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81 (3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members Code of Conduct.

Councillor Dobson declared a personal interest in respect of Agenda Item 7 ‘Scrutiny Inquiry: The Role of the Council and its Partners in Promoting Good Public Health (Session 1)’  (Minute No. 37 refers) in his capacity as a member of Leeds Initiative – Healthy Leeds Partnership.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bentley and Congreve.

To receive and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 22^nd September 2009.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd September 2009 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development in relation to the first session of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry that will consider the role of the Council and its partners in promoting good public health.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report introducing the first session of the Scrutiny Board’s inquiry to consider the role of the Council and its partners in promoting good public health.

The Chair advised that at this first session of the inquiry the Board would be considering issues associated with improving sexual health and reducing the level of teenage pregnancies.  Members had been provided at Appendix 1 to the report with the Action Plan for the Improvement Priorities included in the Health and Wellbeing Partnership Plan (2009 – 2012), of which ‘Reduce teenage conception and improve sexual health’ was the fifth improvement priority and also with the report entitled ‘Teenage pregnancy and parenthood strategy (2008-2011)’ at Appendix 2.

The Chair welcomed the following officers to the meeting to address the Board and respond to any specific questions identified by Members:

·  Sharon Foster, Sexual Health Lead (NHS Leeds, Public Health Team) and

·  Vicky Womack, Sexual Health Lead (NHS Leeds, Public Health Team).

The officers from the Public Health Team presented the Board with a brief overview of their work and also highlighted areas of concern within the partnership working. 

Members sought clarification on the delivery of various aspects of the service and also expressed their concerns on, in brief summary, the following issues:

·  Why had the Public Health Team not been given access to Party in the Park to promote sexual health and Chlamydia screening?

Members were advised that there had been much debate with the Council Event team as to whether it was the right type of venue as it was a family event.  However the Public Health Team hoped that access would be gained in future as it was a more holistic approach that they were seeking.

It was agreed that the Board would write to the organisers of Party in the Park questioning their justification for refusing attendance by the Public Health Team and requesting their support in the future.

·  Whether the targets and guidelines of reducing chlamydia and genito urinary cases were a distraction from addressing the more important work of the sexual health team:

Members were advised that the team were able to carry out key prevention work in schools and elsewhere.

·  Whether the distribution of contraceptives took account of certain religious groups’ sensitivities:

Members were advised that training was given to their advisers on working with different ethnic communities, and young people could access services with complete confidentiality.

·  The work carried out with young men to prevent teenage pregnancy:

Members were advised that Barnardos was commissioned to work with young men, however there was generally a shortage of male front line workers.

·  Whether the targets for reducing teenage pregnancy would ever be reached and the reasons for this?

Members were advised that teenage pregnancy was part of the bigger picture of reducing inequalities and deprivation and therefore could not be dealt with in isolation.

·  Reducing Inequalities and narrowing the wealth and health gap:

Members were advised that people in deprived  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To consider the attached report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the Board’s current outline work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year, for the Board to consider, amend and agree as appropriate.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report presenting an outline work programme for the Board to consider, amend and agree as appropriate.

Also included in the report was a detailed update on a number of areas – some of which had not previously been formally considered by the Board:

·  Provision of renal services at Leeds General Infirmary (LGI) – this included a set of supplementary questions on issues that were still outstanding.

·  Provision of dermatology services at Ward 43 LGI – notification of requests for scrutiny on the provision of dermatology services at Ward 43 LGI and the current position.

·  Use of 0844 numbers at GP surgeries – the general background and current position was provided.

·  Openness in the NHS - an update on information received so far.

·  Children’s cardiac and neurosurgery services - information on national reviews of children’s cardiac and neurosurgery services.

Appended to the report was the following information:

·  Renal Services: Provision at Leeds General Infirmary – Follow-up questions (Appendix 1).

·  Children’s heart surgery centres in England – Draft service specification standards (Appendix 2).

·  Children’s Neurosurgery Services Bulletin (Appendix 3).

·  Minutes of the Executive Board meeting held on 17^th September 2009 (Appendix 4).

·  Scrutiny Board (Health) Work Programme 2009/10 – updated October 2009 (Appendix 5).

The Chair drew Members’ attention to several new unscheduled items added to the work programme:

·  Provision of dermatology services at Ward 43 (Leeds General Infirmary),

·  Use of 0844 Numbers at GP Surgeries,

·  Openness in the NHS,

·  Children’s Cardiac Surgery Services, and

·  Children’s Neurosurgery Services.

Councillor Chapman, as Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Adult Social Care), advised the Board that the working group, ‘Supporting working age adults with severe and enduring mental health problems’ had met on 19^th October 2009 and it was agreed that the minutes of that meeting would be circulated to Members of the Scrutiny Board (Health).

RESOLVED –

(a)  That the report  and appendices be noted.

(b)  That the Work Programme be agreed.

(c)  That the minutes of the working group meeting ‘Supporting working age adults with severe and enduring mental health problems’ held on 19^th October 2009 be circulated to Members of the Board.

To note that the next meeting of the Board will be held on 24^th November 2009 at 10.00am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.

Noted that the next meeting of the Board would be held on Tuesday 24^th November 2009 at 10.00am with a pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am.  Mr Mack’s apologies were noted for that meeting.

The meeting concluded at 11.45pm.