Agenda and minutes

It was announced at the beginning of the meeting that Councillor M Dobson, Chair of Scrutiny Board (Health) had conveyed his apologies due to illness. Therefore the Board were asked to appoint a Chair for this meeting.

Following a formal vote of those Members present, Councillor S Armitage was elected as Chair in the absence of Councillor Dobson.

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

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

·  Dermatology Services in Leeds – Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development, together with a submission document received from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT)(Agenda Item 7)(Minute 105 refers)

·  Leeds Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan (2011 – 2015) – Consultation - Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development (Agenda Item 8)(Minute 106 refers)

·  National Review of Children’s Congenital Cardiac Services – Progress report - Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development (Agenda Item 9)(Minute 107 refers)

·  Recommendation Tracking - Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development (Agenda Item 10)(Minute 108 refers)

·  Scrutiny Board (Health) – Annual Report 2010/11 - Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development (Agenda Item  11)(Minute 109 refers)

·  Updated Work Programme 2010/11- Report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development (Agenda Item 12)(Minute 110 refers)

The documents were not available at the time of the agenda despatch, but made available on the Council’s Internet site prior to and immediately after 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 E Taylor made a general declaration of personal interest in respect of today’s agenda, in her capacity as an NHS employee.

Councillor J Illingworth in his a capacity as an attendee at the Public Inquiry for the Leeds Girl’s High School (Agenda Item 12) (Minute 110 refers).

To receive any apologies for absence and notification of substitutes.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors M Dobson and G Kirkland.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2011.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd March 2011 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

(Report to follow)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report presenting the Scrutiny Board (Health) with an updated position regarding the proposed development of dermatology services within Leeds.

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

·  An outline of some areas of progress provided by the Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel (Appendix 1 refers)

·  A list of main issues/concerns that remain in relation to both in-patient and out-patient services (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Letter from the Skin Care Campaign addressed to the Chair of the Scrutiny Board (Health) dated 12^th April 2011 regarding treatment, care and support of patients with skin diseases in Leeds (Appendix 3 refers)

In addition to the above documents, a copy of a submission from Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) on Dermatology Services in Leeds was circulated to assist Board Members with their deliberations. The information provided consisted of:

• A briefing paper on the Trust’s plans for the Dermatology Outpatient Service, including the associated timescales, and in response to concerns highlighted by the Leeds Dermatology Patient Panel (LDPP)

• Details of patient and public involvement 

• Response to the inpatient concerns raised by Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel

• Response to the outpatient concerns raised by Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel

The following representatives were in attendance and to address any specific questions identified by the Scrutiny Board:

-  Victor Boughton, Chair, Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel

-  Professor Bill Cunliffe, Secretary, Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel

-  Dr. Graham Johnson, Divisional Medical Manager, Medicine Division, LTHT

-  Judith Lund, Directorate Manager, Specialty Medicine (LTHT)

-  Philip Norman, Divisional General Manager (LTHT)

-  Alan Sheward, Divisional Nurse Manager, Medicine Division (LTHT)

The Chair invited Victor Boughton and Professor Bill Cunliffe, Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel to briefly outline the specific concerns as at 13^th April 2011 as referred to in Appendix 2 of the report.

Following this process, the Chair then invited Dr. Graham Johnson; Judith Lund; Philip Norman and Alan Sheward from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) to briefly respond to the concerns raised by Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel.

Arising from detailed discussions, Board Members raised their concerns about the lack of progress in the following specific areas:

·  Infection control

·  Ward signage (e.g. male and female toilets and bays)

·  Ward lighting

·  Cleaning regimes

·  Staff morale

·  Patient safety

In concluding, the Board requested representatives from the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (LTHT) to produce a report, in consultation with the Leeds Dermatology Patients Panel, detailing the outstanding issues with completion dates, together with a list of resolved issues, for circulation to  Members.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That a further report, detailing any outstanding issues with expected completion dates, together with a list of resolved issues, be prepared and circulated to members of the Board as soon as practicable. 

c)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 105.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

(Report to follow)

Referring to Minute 75 of the meeting held on 25^th January 2011, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing the Scrutiny Board (Health) with the opportunity to comment on the draft Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan (2011-2015).

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

·  A copy of the Leeds draft Alcohol Harm Reduction Plan (2011-2015) (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Leeds Alcohol Harm Reduction Action Plan – A consultation response form (Appendix 2 refers)

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.

Arising from discussions, in brief summary Board Members raised the following points:

·  A clearer focus on heavy drinkers drinking less alcohol

·  The role of education in raising awareness of the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption

·  Conveying a positive message around sensible and responsible consumption of alcohol.

·  The national position regarding minimum pricing for alcohol

·  The role and work of specific groups/ organisations, such as Universities and Colleges, around preventative measures

As part of the discussion, members of the Board suggested that consideration should be given to the effectiveness of the PubWatch scheme. As part of this, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser agreed to gather and circulate details associated with the scheme to members of the Board.

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That the Principal Scrutiny Adviser be requested to draft a consultation response, summarising comments from the Board, for circulation prior to formal submission.

c)  That, with reference to the ongoing national consideration of minimum pricing levels for alcohol, a copy of the Boards previous inquiry report (Promoting Good Public Health) be sent to all local Members of Parliament and relevant Government Departments, including the Department of Health.

(Councillor G Latty left the meeting at 11.20am at the conclusion of this item)

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

(Report to follow)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing the Scrutiny Board (Health) with an update around the national review of children’s congenital heart services and the associated work of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) – the regional scrutiny body specifically formed to consider the proposals.

Appended to the report was copy of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber) – Reconfiguration of Children’s Congenital Heart Services in England – Proposed Action Plan and Timetable document for the information/comment of the meeting (Appendix 1 refers).

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 the Board be kept informed of progress and developments associated with the work of the Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Yorkshire and the Humber).

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development to provide a progress update on the Board’s previous scrutiny inquiries and recommendations.

(Report to follow)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing a progress update on the Board’s previous scrutiny inquiries and recommendations.

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

·  Recommendations tracking flowchart and classifications: Questions to be considered by Scrutiny Boards (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Promoting Good Health: The role of the Council and its partners – Progress Report (Appendix 2 refers)

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 approval be given to the draft assessment of the status recommendations as detailed in Appendix 2 of the report.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development.

(Report to follow)

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report

Seeking comment from Members of the Scrutiny Board (Health) regarding

the content of the Board’s Annual Report for 2010/11.

Appended to the report was a copy of the Board’s full work

programme 2010/11 for the information/comment of the meeting.

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.

There was a general discussion around the main areas of the Board’s work during the current municipal year. 

RESOLVED-

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

b)  That, in consultation with the Chair, approval be given for the detailed content of the Board’s Annual Report to be finalised by the Principal Scrutiny Adviser and circulated to Members of the Board for comment/approval.

To receive and 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.

(Report to follow)

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

·  A copy of the Board’s work programme for 2010/11 (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Equity and Excellence; Liberating the NHS – Managing the transition – Letter from the Department of health dated 13^th April 2011 (Appendix 2 refers)

·  Leeds Local Medical Committee Limited – Minutes of a LMC meeting with Members of the Scrutiny Board (Health) held on 25^th  March 2011 (Appendix 3 refers)

·  Statement of Common Ground – Leeds Girl’s High School Inquiry -14^th June 2011 (Appendix 4 refers)

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.

The Board briefly discussed issues raised by Councillor Illingworth around the forthcoming Leeds Girls High School Public Inquiry, but concluded not to take any action in this regard.

On behalf of members not present at the meeting, the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser also raised the issue of a potential ward closure at Wharfedale Hospital.  The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser outlined that this matter formed part of Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust’s ‘Managing for Success’ programme, and that any further consideration of issues associated with Wharfedale Hospital might usefully be considered in the context of the overall programme.

The Board concluded not to consider issues associated with Wharfedale Hospital at the current time.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

The Chair informed the meeting that Mr Giles, Co-optee, had recently tendered his resignation as a Leeds Local Involvement Network (LINk) representative on the Board. Therefore this would be his last  Board meeting in that capacity. 

The Chair and Board Members thanked Mr Giles for his support and contributions to the Board over recent years and wished him much success for the future.

In addition, as the last scheduled meeting for the current municipal year, this was also likely to be Ms Stewart’s last meeting during the current year.

The Chair and Board Members also thanked Ms Stewart for her work and contributions throughout the year.

(The meeting finished at 11.35am)