Agenda and minutes

In the absence of the Chair and Vice-Chair, nominations were taken from the floor. It was AGREED that Cllr C Hannaway should substitute as Chair for the remainder of the meeting.

It was AGREED that the minutes of the Adults, Wellbeing & Health Scrutiny & Improvement Committee held on 3 July 2023 be confirmed and signed by the Chair as a correct record.

None recorded.

The Director of Public Health, South Tees, provided an update for Members on recent development in Public Health, and the following was noted:

·        Inpatient Detox Facility

To provide context, the Director of Public Health gave background information relating to the purpose and function of inpatient detox facilities. Members were updated on the development of the facility based in Brotton, which is due for completion in Spring 2024. Questions were asked in relation to the size of the facility and discharge options.

·         Covid Autumn Booster

The Director of Public Health advised that, owing to the emergence of a ‘variant of concern’, the covid and flu autumn booster campaign was being brought forward. It would initially be offered to residents of care homes and housebound adults via 2 separate booking systems – the GP system from 11 September and the national booking system from 18 September.

·         Lung Cancer Screening Trial

This is a piloted area in a flagship programme to target lung checks towards people between the ages of 55 – 74 who have never smoked. It is a partnership arrangement between the ICB, 3 NHS foundation trusts and a private health provider. It is anticipated that the early intervention will reverse the current 80% / 20% split of palliative and curative care. The facility is located round the Tees area, often utilising areas of high footfall, such as supermarket car parks. A question was asked relating to the impact of vaping, and exposure to industrial pollutants for residents living near the Teesworks site. Members were advised that, from a harm minimisation perspective, vaping was considered to be a useful smoking cessation tool but was problematic in relation to children and the use of disposable vapes. The Assistant Director, Health and Communities further advised that work was ongoing with schools to address concerns with vaping amongst children. With regards to industrial pollution, an Air Quality Strategy was in development. RCBC meets the standards with the exception of certain heavily congested roads, but this was a traffic related problem.

A member asked if the NHS has capacity to manage any increased demand from people diagnosed with lung cancer as a result of the trials. Members were advised that clinical leads had been engaged to build extra capacity, with funding for programme treatment costs being picked up locally. Savings were expected to be realised over time as a result of the process. A Member suggested that breast screening services might benefit from a similar approach. It was AGREED that a plan for the location of mobile units would be circulated to Members of the Adults, Wellbeing & Health Scrutiny Committee; NOTED.

The Assistant Director for Adult Social Care (Operations), Assistant Director for Adult Social Care (Service Development and Integration) and Assistant Director (Health and Communities) provided a presentation to Members on Q1 Performance, and the following comments and questions were noted:

·         A member was pleased to note that inclusion and diversity were being considered.

·         A question was asked relating to the age at which residents access Adult Mental Health Services instead of Children’s Services. Members were advised that there was a statutory duty from the age of 18, but children known to the service would be supported from age 16 to provide some overlap.

·         A Member asked how many of the DoLS were renewals or new applications and Members were advised that these figures would be provided for the Committee. The Assistant Director for Adult Social Care (Operations) advised that figures would be shared with the Committee.

·         Further to a discussion relating to trips, slips and falls, the Director of Place Based Delivery, NENCICB, advised that information regarding winter planning would be circulated to Members of the Committee.

·         A Member asked how many care homes had closed since the pandemic, and Committee were advised that a couple of small independent homes had closed.

·         Issues relating to staff and resident consultation were discussed, and Members were advised that engagement plans and sessions were in development. It was suggested that the Committee might benefit from direct consultation with service users and providers.

·         The possibility of dementia awareness training being offered to all Members of the Council was discussed. Committee were advised that dementia training was regularly offered, and details would be forwarded to the Scrutiny Officer for distribution.

·         A Member asked about ways in which Councillors might further support the Sustainable Food Partnership and the Well Being walks. Further details to be distributed to Members of the Committee.

·         A member asked for a further breakdown of data relating to demographics of leisure centre users.

·         Members requested a glossary of acronyms alongside reports; NOTED.

The Executive Director for Adults & Communities provided Members with a presentation on the CQC Assurance process. A Member asked the extent to which Redcar & Cleveland Council is engaging with the voluntary sector. Members were advised that Better Care Fund money had been awarded to assist with development of VCS engagement and a 2-year plan mapped out; NOTED.

The report was NOTED.

A representative of the Crustacean Deaths Collaborative Working Group provided an update on work undertaken to date; NOTED.

Members were asked to note the report and invited to suggest possible topics for review. The following suggestions were noted:

·         Provision for young people making the transition from Children’s to Adult’s Services.

·         Review of the assessment system

·         The role of the voluntary and community sector in service provision.

Members were advised that potential topics would be forwarded to a meeting of the Chair, Vice-Chair and Executive Director for further consideration.

It was AGREED that the possibility of future meetings being held in community care venues be explored; NOTED.

The Chair advised that this would become a standing item to allow Members sitting on outside bodies to informally share any relevant information. A list of outside bodies and related scrutiny committees was circulated; NOTED.

See attached Action Update for further details.