Agenda, decisions and minutes

Councillor H.G. McGuill declared an interest in agenda item number 3, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.   

Presentation from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board:

• Healthcare in North Wales is Changing – update on service reviews
• Locality Developments
• Public Health – Tobacco and Alcohol update
• Members’ Questions

That the presentations be noted.

The Chairman welcomed Jill Galvani, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services; Andrew Jones, Executive Director of Public Health; John Darlington, Assistant Director – Planning; Jackie James, Principal Health Development Specialist and Janet Ellis, Primary and Community Services Programme Manager to the meeting who were in attendance to provide presentations on the following areas:-

• Healthcare in North Wales is Changing – update on service reviews
• Locality Developments
• Public Health – Tobacco and Alcohol update

Update on service reviews

The Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services gave a presentation which covered the following areas:-

• The Triple Aim
• Case for change – the main messages
• Bringing the threads together
• What questions need to be answered?
• Localities and Community Services
• Paediatric Services
• Maternity, Gynaecology & Neonatal Services
• Non-elective General Surgery
• Trauma and Orthopaedics
• BCU Board position
• Next steps – key areas

In response to a question on junior doctors, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services said that there was a need to address the high level of funding spent on locum doctors.  Significant work was being undertaken to provide training opportunities to ensure junior doctors were being drawn to employment opportunities in North Wales.  Executive Director of Public Health said that a significant review on junior doctors had been undertaken over the last 18 months.   

Councillor H.G. McGuill asked whether there was flexibility to enable nurses to move around departments depending on the needs of the service areas.  Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services said that there was flexibility to move staff depending on their confidence in a specific service area.  The Unions were largely supportive of this.

In response to questions on future funding and the efficiency programme, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services explained that the capital funding was well utilised.  There was a need for the Health Service in Wales to save £70M in 2012/13 and increased drug costs and staff costs together with ringfenced budgets were adding to the financial pressures.  An efficiency programme had been produced to enable savings to be met whilst maintaining a high level of service. The Assistant Director – Planning said that in line with the Medium Term Financial Strategy 6% of the budget since 2010 to 2015 had to be identified as savings.   

The Chief Executive said that he and others had recently met with the Chair and Acting Chief Executive of the Local Health Board and recognised that there were significant challenges ahead.  High level political engagement was key together with collaborative working across North Wales.

The Executive Member for Social Services asked whether the reduction in senior managers had been considered to meet the level of savings required.  Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services said that there was a voluntary release scheme for employees but this continued to be a major challenge across the National Health Service.

In responding to questions on changes to the National Health Service, Executive Director of Nursing, Midwifery & Patient Services explained that the presentation given to the Committee was a bold statement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 91.

Report of Director of Community Services enclosed.

That the Committee endorse the final draft of the Social Services Annual Performance Overview report for consideration by Executive.

The Director of Community Services introduced the final draft of the Social Services Annual Performance Overview report to the Committee to seek any final views and comments before approval by the Executive Member for Social Services.

The final version of the report had been prepared following an in-depth review of current performance by service managers and performance officers and a period of consultation and challenge including a Member Task and Finish Group.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee endorse the final draft of the Social Services Annual Performance Overview report for consideration by Executive.

Report of Learning and Social Care Overview & Scrutiny Facilitator enclosed.

(a)    That the 2011/12 Quarter 3 performance reports produced by the Head of Service be noted; and

(b)    That feedback on any challenge be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

The Director of Community Services and Head of Social Services for Adults introduced a report to request that the Committee consider the 2011/12 Quarter 3 service performance reports, note the update on the Strategic Assessment of Risks and Challenges (SARC) contained within the performance reports and note the progress made against the Improvement Target Action Plans contained within the performance reports.

            The Director of Community Services and Head of Social Services for Adults gave a short presentation on the performance within each of the service areas, outlining work which had been undertaken to improve performance and areas where improvement was needed, as outlined within each report.    

Social Services for Adults

            Councillor H.G. McGuill raised concern on the Occupational Therapy Service which was not meeting the needs of the service users.  She recognised that improvements had been made to the service but said that more work needed to be done around working with voluntary organisations.

            The Head of Social Services for Adults explained the process for dealing with Occupational Therapy referrals which were dealt with by a dedicated team which covered three service areas.  The Service Manager explained that a lean review had been carried out around the time spent waiting for an assessment and how to improve this.  Each year the Council received around 2,000 referrals but a range of improvements were being introduced together with additional resources to improve the service.  The lean review also identified areas of expertise and where it was important to have a skills mix within the teams.   

            The Executive Member for Social Services confirmed that improvements had been made to the service, but acknowledged that additional resources were required to provide further improvements.

            In response to comments on working with the voluntary sector, the Head of Social Services for Adults reported that the Council did work with the voluntary sector.      

            RESOLVED:

(a)       That the 2011/12 Quarter 3 performance reports produced by Heads of Service be noted; and

(b)       That feedback on any challenge be provided to the Corporate Resources Overview & Scrutiny Committee.

To receive a verbal report from Members of the Committee.

That the update be received.

Councillor D. MacFarlane reported on a visit he had undertaken at Buckley Wood.  He reported that this was a wonderful facility but raised concern on two gas fires which had been condemned and were in need of replacing.  He also reported that improvements were needed to the bathrooms and asked if these works could be carried out as a matter of urgency. 

            The Head of Social Services for Adults confirmed that these issues would be addressed through the landlord, Clwyd Alun Housing. 

RESOLVED:

That the update be received.

                        The meeting commenced at 2.00 p.m. and ended at 5.10 p.m.

                        There was one member of the press present.