Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the January meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Health).

The Chair agreed to accept the following documents as supplementary information:-

·  Healthy Lives, Healthy People: the Public Health White Paper Summary of the Government’s Consultation Questions – Revised Appendix 4 (Agenda Item 7) (Minute 73 refers)

·  Scrutiny Board (Health) – Health Service Developments Working Group – 14^th December 2010 – Notes of Meeting (Agenda Item 10) (Minute 76 refers)

The documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but made available on the Council’s Internet site immediately following the meeting.

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 M Dobson made a declaration of personal interest in respect of the report on the Economic and Social Cost of Alcohol in Leeds 2008/09 (Minute 75 refers), having provided the foreword to the report in his capacity as Chair of Healthy Leeds Partnership.

Councillor E Taylor made a general declaration of personal interest in respect of today’s agenda, in her capacity as an NHS employee.

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

An apology for absence was submitted on behalf of Councillor P Harrand.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st December 2010.

RESOLVED – That, subject to the addition of Councillor S Armitage to the list of apologies, the minutes of the meeting held on 21^st December 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board (Health) to understand and comment on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms. 

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided an opportunity for the Scrutiny Board (Health) to understand and comment on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  A summary of the Government’s proposals for Public Health (Appendix 1 refers)

·  A Scrutiny Unit Briefing Note on the public health proposals (Appendix 2 refers)

·  A summary of the Public Health White Paper produced by the Centre for Public Health Scrutiny (CfPS) (Appendix 3 refers)

·  A summary of the Government’s Consultation Questions (Appendix 4 refers)

A copy of the revised document ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People: the Public Health White Paper - A summary of the Government’s Consultation Questions’ (Appendix 4) was also circulated as supplementary information.

Dr. Ian Cameron, Joint Director of Public Health, NHS Leeds/Leeds City  Council was in attendance to give a brief overview of the key public health reforms outlined in the White Paper and address any specific questions identified by the Scrutiny Board.

The proposed Public Health reforms were categorised as:-

• System and regulation redesign
• Development of new/ existing relationships
• Focusing services on outcomes

Some of the key changes / impacts on local authorities were summarised as:-

• The enhanced role of local authorities in Health and wellbeing
• Transfer of Public Health responsibilities
• Developing relationships between Councils; Public Health England; Secretary of State for Health

Reference was made to a number of changes in timescales within the document ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People – The Public Health White Paper – Scrutiny Unit Briefing Note – Scrutiny Board (Health)’ (Appendix 2 refers).  Reference was also made to the current suite of consultation questions and examples of public health funded activity as outlined in Appendix 4.

In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  Clarification of whether or not existing work around public health issues within the local authority would be utilised within the new proposals i.e. Health and Well-being Partnership etc

(The Joint Director of Public Health responded and confirmed that existing work would be taken into account with a view to enhancing local working)

·  Clarification of the role of Public Health England in relation to strengthening both national and local leadership

·  The need to update the document ‘Healthy Lives, Healthy People – The Public Health White Paper – Scrutiny Unit Briefing Note – Scrutiny Board (Health) (Appendix 2)’ on the Council’s website to reflect the changes/timescales reported at the meeting

(The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to follow up this issue with the Joint Director of Public Health)

·  The provision of public information advising of the proposed changes and seeking the views of the public

·  Clarification of the Government’s meaning of outcomes within the consultation process

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to write to the Joint Director of Public Health, NHS Leeds/Leeds City Council incorporating the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 73.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development providing a further update for the Scrutiny Board (Health) around the Government’s overall vision for the future of the NHS initially presented in the White Paper, ‘Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS’  by introducing some additional inputs around what is currently understood of the proposals and likely implications.

Referring to Minute 60 of the meeting held on 21^st December 2010,  the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which provided a further update for the Scrutiny Board (Health) around the Government’s overall vision for the future of the NHS initially presented in the White Paper, ‘Equity and excellence: Liberating the NHS’  by introducing some additional inputs around what was currently understood of the proposals and likely implications.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Executive Summary – Liberating the NHS: Developing the Healthcare Workforce (Appendix 1 refers)

·  A summary of the Government’s response produced by the Centre for Public Scrutiny (CfPS) (Appendix 2 refers)

The following representatives were in attendance to present the key issues highlighted in the report and to address any specific questions identified by the Scrutiny Board:-

-  Philomena Corrigan, Executive Director of Strategy and Commissioning,  NHS Leeds

-  John England, Deputy Director, Adult Social Services, Leeds City Council

In her presentation, the Executive Director of Strategy and Commissioning, NHS Leeds referred to the following specific issues:-

·  Latest position in relation to Primary Care Trust (PCT) clusters

·  Current views of the National Commissioning Board in relation to their involvement with clusters

·  Existing and developing GP Consortia arrangements

·  Likely changes to the NHS provider landscape and the future role of the regulator ‘Monitor’

·  A summary of issues to be discussed with the GP Consortia representatives at a forthcoming meeting, including:-

- Budget implications, allowances and responsibilities

- Staffing issues

- Commissioning Support Unit

At the request of the Chair, the Deputy Director, Adult Social Services updated the meeting on the local authority’s involvement in preparing for the transition of the local health economy.  The Board noted that following a request by the Chief Executive, Leeds City Council, a report was being prepared to consider the Council’s future role in commissioning process.  It was envisaged that the report would be available by the end of March 2011.

In brief summary, the main points of discussion were:-

·  Support to GP consortia

·  Confirmation that all GP practices would be required to be part of a consortia

·  The Council’s contribution into commissioning discussions with GP consortia

·  The involvement of LINks / development of Local Health Watch

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That, on behalf of the Board, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to draft a letter to David Nicholson, NHS Chief Executive, supporting the view of Board Members for NHS Leeds to remain as a body, in order to retain sufficient capacity to address the transition of the local health economy.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development on the introduction of a paper, commissioned by NHS Leeds, which estimates the wider economic and social costs of alcohol-related harm in Leeds. The report also provides the Board with an opportunity to understand and comment on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms. 

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on the introduction of a paper, commissioned by NHS Leeds, which estimated the wider economic and social costs of alcohol-related harm in Leeds. The report also provided the Board with an opportunity to understand and comment on the national and local implications of the Government’s proposed public health reforms. 

Appended to report was a copy of document entitled ‘The economic and social costs of alcohol-related harm in Leeds 2008-09’ produced by the Liverpool John Moores University for the information/comment of the meeting.

Dr. Ian Cameron, Joint Director of Public Health, NHS Leeds/Leeds City Council was in attendance to present the key issues highlighted in the report and to address any specific questions identified by the Scrutiny Board.

In his presentation, he specifically referred to the following issues:-

·  Recent Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper articles 

·  Accepting the fact that alcohol does provide lots of benefits across the city, but was causing significant harm

·  The report was being used to inform the development of a revised strategy/ plan that would focus on:-

?   Leadership;

?   Reducing consumption;

?   Reducing crime and disorder;

?   Reducing alcohol related ill-health

?   Impact of alcohol on children and young people

There was a general discussion around access and availability of alcohol across the City and the role of the Council, including the constraints of current Licensing legislation.

At the request of the Chair, the Joint Director of Public Health concluded his presentation by stating that reducing the economic and social cost of alcohol in Leeds was a very complex issue to solve. It was confirmed that work on the draft Action Plan had commenced soon with the aim of ensuring ownership across partner organisations within the city.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the comments and observations made by the Board be used in the drafting of the revised Alcohol Action Plan.

c)  That a copy of the draft Alcohol Action Plan due to be published in April 2011, be submitted to the Board meeting in March 2011 for further consideration.

(Councillor G Kirkland left the meeting at 11.45am during discussions of the above item)

To consider a report from the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report outlining the Scrutiny Board’s work programme for the remainder of the current municipal year.

Appended to the report was a copy of a document entitled ‘Scrutiny Board (Health) Work Programme 2010/11’ for the information/comment of the meeting.

Notes from the Health Service Developments Working Group meeting held on 14^th December 2011 were also circulated as supplementary information.

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser presented the key issues highlighted in the report and addressed specific points of clarification identified by the Scrutiny Board.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That, subject to the following inclusions, approval be given to the outline work programme in accordance with the report now submitted:-

o  Development of joint mental health services across Leeds – February 2011

o  Options for considering Quality Accounts (2010/11) – February 2011

o  Local implications of the NHS Operating Framework (2011/12) – March 2011

o  Draft alcohol action plan –  March 2011

c)  That the notes of the Health Service Development Working Group meeting held on 14^th December 2011 be noted, and the proposed levels of service change be agreed.

To note that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board will be held on Tuesday 22^nd February 2011 at 10.00am (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

To note that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Board will be held on Tuesday 22^nd February 2011 at 10.00am (Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12.10 pm)