Agenda item

To consider a joint report from the Director of Adults and Health and the Director of City Development presenting an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the council priorities and services within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The Director of Adults and Health and the Director of City Development submitted a report that presented an overview of outcomes and service performance related to the council priorities and services within the Scrutiny Board’s remit.

The following were in attendance:

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

-  Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Executive Member for Environment and Active Lifestyles

-  Cath Roff, Director of Adults and Health

-  Victoria Eaton, Director of Public Health

-  Shona McFarlane, Deputy Director Social Work and Social Care Services

-  Steve Hume, Chief Officer, Resources and Strategy, Adults and Health

-  Anna Frearson, Chief Officer Consultant in Public Health (Healthy Living and Health Improvement)

-  Phil Evans, Chief Officer, Operations, City Development

-  Steve Baker, Business Manager, Active Leeds

-  Peter Storrie, Head of Service, Performance Management & Improvement

The Executive Members introduced the headline performance issues, as set out in the report. While recognising positive performance across a number of areas despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Members discussed a number of specific matters, including:

·  Delayed transfers of care.  Members made reference to the indicator showing delayed transfers of care from hospital that are attributable to NHS and adult social care and queried the increased figure reported for 2018/19.  In response, it was highlighted that a decision was taken during this period to also include patient bed numbers associated with the Leeds and York Partnership Foundation Trust as joint responsibility pending further clarity on this position.

·  Smoking prevalence and inequality. Members were advised that there is continued focus on deprived areas of Leeds due to the disparity in rates, however there had been an increase in over 40% of people accessing online support for smoking cessation, particularly from the most deprived areas of Leeds. Related to this, Members queried whether future reports should include a Leeds Deprived indicator linked to the drug and alcohol abuse data too.

·  Life expectancy of women. In response to a query, concerns were noted in regards to the falling life expectancy of women in most deprived areas of the city, which has also been raised as an issue nationally.

·  Suicide rates. Members were assured that real-time data from the COVID-19 period has shown no rise generally in suicide rates nationally.

·  Domestic violence and abuse. In response to a query, Members were advised that there was an initial drop in referrals to social care in regards to domestic violence during the first lockdown, which have since increased beyond levels for the same period in 2019.

·  Non-institutional care for people with learning disabilities. Members noted that the number of people in Leeds with a learning disability who live independently is below the national average, and sought more information on the steps taken to address this. Members were advised that teams are considering cost effective ways of promoting and supporting independent living, as part of the budget discussions taking place.

·  Reduced activity levels in minority groups. Members expressed concern that activity levels have dropped more significantly in minority groups and deprived communities, and were advised that this data will largely inform programmes moving forward.

RESOLVED - That the contents of the report and appendices, along with Members comments, be noted.