Agenda, decisions and minutes

The Director of Community Services congratulated Alwyn Jones, the Head of Adults Services on his recent appointment as Head of Adult Services and Business Services at Isle of Anglesey County Council from June 2014.  He acknowledged the significant contribution that the Head of Adults Services had made to Flintshire County Council and welcomed the fact that he would be staying in the regional network. 

Councillor Hilary McGuill declared a personal interest in the agenda item 3 (Minutes) due to a relative being in Deeside Hospital. 

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th February 2014 (copy enclosed).

That subject to the suggested amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.  

The minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 13 February 2014 had been circulated to Members with the agenda.

Accuracy

            The Chair advised that she had submitted an apology which had not been recorded. 

Matters Arising

            The Environment and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator referred to minute 50 on Enhanced Care at Home and read out a statement from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) about the temporary closure of Gladstone Ward due to difficulties in staffing levels because of retirements, long-term sickness and some staff being on restricted duties, and the work that was being undertaken during this period.  Councillor Stella Jones raised concern about other wards or facilities that had been temporarily closed by BCUHB that had never re-opened.  Councillor Hilary McGuill provided assurance that BCUHB were undertaking the work that had been reported but said that her main concern was the level of staffing at the hospital.  Councillor Marion Bateman felt that this was a concern in all hospitals. 

            The Facilitator also referred to minute 53 on Rota Visits and advised that an email had been sent to the Committee Members by Nicky Slater advising them that rota visits needed to be completed by 31 March 2014 and that they should advise her if this would be problem. 

            A Task Group to consider the Annual Council Reporting Framework, as referred to in the resolution to minute number 54, was due to meet on 14 April 2014 and the Environment and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator advised that other Members could join the Group if they wished. 

RESOLVED:

That subject to the suggested amendment, the minutes be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.  

That the report be noted. 

The Director of Community Services introduced a report for the Committee to note and consider elements of the 2013/14 Mid Year Improvement Plan Monitoring Report relevant to this Committee for the period October to December 2013.  The Director of Community Services invited the Head of Adults Services to report on the Improvement Plan sub-priority reports on Independent Living and Integrated Community Social and Health Services which were appended to the report.    

                        Councillor Stella Jones referred to the target of 300 days for delivery of a Disabled Facilities Grant (DFG) and asked for a breakdown of how the figure was calculated.  The Head of Adults Services advised that a breakdown could be provided but explained that the wait for an occupational therapy assessment would be no more than three months.  Once a decision had been made, then discussions would begin with partners in Housing on the scoping and level of work required.  In response to a further question from Councillor Jones about the short amount of time required to provide a stairlift if it was privately funded, the Head of Adults Services said that DFGs were generally for more significant changes to properties, some of which would require planning permission, and that the provision of a stairlift fell below the DFG boundary. 

                        The Director of Community Services explained that the three steps in the process were:-

                        1. Waiting for an Occupational Therapist assessment

                        2. A decision on whether the adaptation was appropriate

                        3. Ordering the necessary equipment and implementing it.

            The Director of Community Services advised that time for an occupational therapist assessment had reduced significantly and those with high priority would be assessed immediately, medium priority would be assessed within a month and the maximum wait for low priority was three months with the average waiting time being six weeks.  Self assessment to identify the need for small pieces of equipment and minor adaptations was introduced in April 2013 and offered a fast track service for people who had low level needs which could be met without the need for a face to face assessment.  He added that the Social and Health Care Overview & Scrutiny committee had been instrumental in the introduction of self-assessment.  In the first six months, 97 referrals were received for self assessment and of those that resulted in an intervention, 72% were provided with equipment or a minor adaptation without the need for a home visit.  In response to a query from Councillor Jones about the number of referrals to occupational therapy per month and following a question from Councillor Andy Dunbobbin about the number of children and adults who had applied for DFGs, the Director of Community Services and Head of Children’s Services advised that they could provide the requested information following the meeting. 

                        Following a question from Councillor McGuill about the provision of wellbeing services at Llys Eleanor for patients with dementia, the Head of Adults Services advised that work still needed to be undertaken in this area and that a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

            That the Forward Work Programme be received and amended to reflect the suggestions made. 

The Environment and Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Facilitator introduced the report to consider the Forward Work Programme for the Committee. 

            The Facilitator detailed the items scheduled to be considered at the meetings of the Committee on 1 May 2014, 12 June 2014 and 3 July 2014 and explained that it had been suggested by the Director of Community Services that an Update on the Social Services Bill also be submitted to the 12 June 2014 meeting.  She added that an update on Rota Visits would also need to be considered at a future meeting.

            Councillor Hilary McGuill suggested, following earlier discussions, that reports on the following also be considered at future meetings of the Committee:-

·        Agency Staff training

·        Seamless working with partner agencies from a client point of view

·        Working with technologies to assist users

Councillor Marion Bateman requested further information on Occupational Therapist service and suggested that a General Practitioner Lead be invited to attend a future meeting.  The Head of Children’s Services advised that an inspection of Children’s Services was due to be undertaken shortly and she suggested that a report following the inspection be considered by the Committee when it was available.  

            RESOLVED:

            That the Forward Work Programme be received and amended to reflect the above suggestions. 

There were no members of the public or press in attendance.