Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the January meeting of the Scrutiny Board (Health and Well-being and Adult Social Care).

Joy Fisher declared an interest in relation to the item regarding Services for Blind and Visually Impaired People in Leeds (Minute 79 refers) due to her alliance role with the National Federation of the Blind (Leeds Branch).

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors S Armitage, G Hussain, M Robinson and Mrs B Smithson.

There were no substitute members in attendance.

To confirm as a correct record, the minutes of the meetings held on 21^st November 2013 and 19^th December 2012.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 21^st November 2012 and 19^th December 2012 be confirmed as a correct record.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development presenting the recent correspondence received from the acting Chair of the National Federation of the Blind (Leeds Branch), in order that the Scrutiny Board might determine what, if any, further scrutiny activity may be required.

Referring to Minute 40 of the meeting held 26 September 2012, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report on recent correspondence received from the acting Chair of the National Federation of the Blind (Leeds and District Branch), in order that the Scrutiny Board might determine what, if any, further scrutiny activity may be required.

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

·  Update on recommendations following deputation to Scrutiny by the National Federation of the Blind (16 January 2012) – Report of Director of Adult Social Services – Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care) – dated 25 July 2012, but considered at the meeting held on 26 September 2012.

·  Letter from Acting Chair, National Federation of the Blind (Leeds and District Branch) to the Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser dated 9 November 2012.

The following representatives were in attendance and responded to Member’s queries and comments:

-  Hilary Adolfson (Chair Person), National Federation of the Blind (Leeds  and District Branch)

-  Ann Steel (Treasurer) – National Federation of the Blind (Leeds  and District Branch)

The Board’s Principal Scrutiny Adviser presented the report and provided a brief update to the meeting.

At the request of the Chair, Ms Steel outlined the concerns which were detailed in the letter dated 9 November 2012 which was appended to the report. In addition to the concerns outlined in the letter, Ms Steel also informed the Board that, in the view of the National Federation of the Blind (Leeds and District Branch), services for blind and visually impaired people in Leeds had deteriorated since the award of the new contract and the closure of Shire View had resulted in a detrimental effect on all service users. Specific issues highlighted included:

• Service user views (from previous service users) regarding the new arrangements;
• Service user consultation (prior to new contract arrangements being ut in place);
• Delayed decisions regarding the future of Shire View;
• Arrangements for signposting newly registered deafblind to services (e.g. accommodation based services at Fairfax House);

It was suggested that the Scrutiny Board may wish to consider undertaking (or requesting) a full impact assessment for the Deafblind, Blind and partially sighted as a matter of urgency.

In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:-

·  Clarification of the number of service users using the service under the new contract arrangements

·  The view expressed that an impact assessment was the right course of action to fully assess the impact of the recent changes to service/ award of the contract

·  The loss of the facility at Shire View had, in the view of the National Federation of the Blind (Leeds and District Branch), resulted in a loss of specific social groups and general cohesion among some members of the deafblind, blind and visually impaired communities. 

·  The impact on the number / location of social groups previously housed at Shire View, the associated costs and available support.

·  The need for a building  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development  providing an update on the progress of the Leeds’ draft Dementia Strategy – Living Well with Dementia in Leeds (2012-2015) and an overview of work to date and future plans for dementia-friendly Leeds. 

Referring to Minute 21 of the 25^th July 2012 meeting, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing an update on the progress of the Leeds’ draft Dementia Strategy – Living Well with Dementia in Leeds (2012-2015) and an overview of work to date and future plans for dementia-friendly Leeds.

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

·  Living Well with Dementia in Leeds – Our Local Strategy (2012-2015) – Consultation Response to Draft Strategy (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Dementia-friendly Leeds – Report of Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Public Health – Executive Board – 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 2 refers)

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Councillor Christine Macniven (Chair) – Leeds Dementia Board

-  Mick Ward (Head of Commissioning) – Leeds City Council, Adult Social Services

-  Tim Sanders (Integrated Commissioning and Transformation Manager, Dementia) – NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council

At the request of the Chair, the Head of Commissioning briefly outlined the background issues and informed the meeting that a number of useful comments made at the July 2012 meeting had been incorporated within the Draft Strategy.

The Integrated Commissioning and Transformation Manager, Dementia provided the meeting with a summary of the key issues contained in the Executive Board report discussed at the meeting held on 9 January 2013. Specific issues raised included:

• Dementia Strategy and action plan due to be presented to the Dementia Board on 30 January 2013;
• Short-term grant funding for over 20 neighbourhood networks and other third sector partners to support work around dementia;
• Double capacity with the Council’s peer support service;
• Additional carer support worker at NHS Leeds

Councillor Macniven also addressed the Board and welcomed the fact that the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s) were setting targets towards the outcomes of dementia in Leeds and highlighted proposals for the Rothwell area to work towards becoming a dementia friendly area, building on the work already undertaken in the dementia friendly café in the area.

Members of the Scrutiny Board discussed the information presented and issues around dementia in general.  In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:

·  Explicit support for carers within the overall strategy;

·  Costs and funding (both short and longer-term), associated with implementing the finalised strategy and supporting delivery plan;

·  Early diagnosis and targeted screening across the City;

·  Raising awareness of the ‘Dementia Friendly City’ aspiration – and the practical implications;

·  The impact of increased diagnosis and demand for services;

·  Issues associated with staff awareness and training around dementia, not just across the health and  social care sector;

·  The role of advocacy work, including the power of attorney, to help support dementia suffers.

The Scrutiny Board noted that many of the issues raised at the meeting would be incorporated within the finalised strategy and delivery plan and that discussions were on-going between Leeds City Council and its partners around funding issues.

In concluding discussions, the intention to report back to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 80.

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny Board and Member Development on the Board’s work schedule.

The Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report which presented the Scrutiny Board’s outline work schedule for the remainder of the current municipal year.

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

• Scrutiny Board (Health and Wellbeing and Adult Social Care) 2012/13 Municipal Year – Work Schedule (Appendix 1 refers)
• Executive Board minutes of meeting held on 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 2 refers)

The Principal Scrutiny Adviser informed the Board that he had received the following documents as at today’s date:

·  Yorkshire Ambulance Service – Information for Stakeholders – Proposal to Relocate the YAS Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) Base in Yorkshire

·  Authorisation of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) in Leeds – Letter from the NHS dated 23 January 2013

He informed the meeting that in relation to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, the deadline for specific questions was 25^th January 2013. At the request of the Board he agreed to consult with Yorkshire Ambulance Service regarding future service proposals and consultation with the Scrutiny Board.

The Scrutiny Board also discussed the changing local NHS landscape in terms of organisations and future responsibilities.  This included discussions around the following areas:

·  The local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs);

·  Convening a meeting (or series of meetings) of the Health Service Development Working Group; The development of local HealthWatch and transition between the existing Local Involvement Network;

·  The transfer of Public Health responsibilities to the Council from April 2013 and associated transitional arrangements;

RESOLVED –

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices, including the Executive Board minutes presented, be noted.

b)  That, with the inclusion of the areas identified at the meeting, the work schedule as presented be approved.

c)  That in relation to the issue regarding the authorisation of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG) in Leeds, this matter be referred to a working group for detailed discussion and to invite appropriate representatives to attend. That the Services for Blind and Visually Impaired People in Leeds issue be referred to a working group for detailed discussion upon the confirmation of the issues raised by the National Federation of the Blind (Leeds Branch), together with the department’s response.

d)  That reports regarding the future arrangements for local HealthWatch and Public Health be requested for the February meeting of the Board.

Wednesday 20^th February 2013 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre-meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

Wednesday 20^th February 2013 at 10.00am in the Civic Hall, Leeds

(Pre meeting for Board Members at 9.30am)

(The meeting concluded at 12 noon)