Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any Declarations and advise Members accordingly.

Councillor Dave Mackie declared a personal interest as one of the Council’s representatives on the North Wales Community Health Council.

Councillor Dave Mackie declared a personal interest as one of the Council’s representatives on the North Wales Community Health Council.

To receive an update.

The Chair welcomed the representatives from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust to the meeting.  Responses to questions raised in advance by Members had been circulated prior to the meeting and published on the website.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB)

As Interim Chief Executive, Gill Harris provided an update on structural changes within BCUHB responsible for delivering services in Flintshire.  She reported that following targeted intervention measures introduced for vascular services at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, scores had been changed to reflect current challenges and progress was being made on the long-term plan to make improvements.  In preparation for winter challenges, work was underway to enhance same-day emergency care on acute sites and prepare urgent Primary Care centres in health communities.  In addition, BCUHB was working with colleagues to reduce the impact of planned industrial action by NHS workers.  A pilot scheme was being undertaken to ensure that patients discharged from care homes were easily identifiable and telephone support to care homes was being enhanced.  In acknowledging the impact of limited social care availability, it was reported that 37 patients in Flintshire hospitals were currently awaiting discharge into appropriate care.  On this, the Council and other partners were thanked for their work on maximising resources in communities.  To address significant challenges in planned care, BCUHB was engaging with Welsh Government (WG) to create additional capacity for patients waiting long periods.  In aiming to achieve best practice principles, work was also being carried out with colleges and WG to ‘get it right first time’.

As Executive Director of Finance for BCUHB, Sue Hill reported that work was continuing with partners on mitigating actions to address a projected £10m deficit year-end position which had been impacted by inflationary pressures and pay award outcomes.

Councillor Carol Ellis shared concerns about continuing lengthy ambulance waiting times outside hospitals due to patients not being able to be discharged, as referenced in a recent report.  She asked what was being done to speed up the delivery of Disabled Facilities Grants and gave an example of the impact on an individual for whom a referral had been made to Social Services at the end of August.

In sharing the concerns about ambulance waiting times outside hospitals, Gill Harris gave assurance of BCUHB’s commitment to address this, with significant work being done to maximise capacity in Emergency Departments (ED) through the Primary Care strategy involving care homes and WAST.

The Senior Manager - Integrated Services and Lead Adults reported that 24 Flintshire residents were currently awaiting discharge across acute and community hospitals across the County (including the Countess of Chester hospital), four of whom were due to be discharged in the coming days.  She gave assurance of close working with BCUHB colleagues to ensure that plans were in place for each individual to ensure a safe and timely discharge.

Councillor Bill Crease asked about the impact of the BCUHB financial position on the outstanding debt owed to the Council for unresolved joint-funded  ...  view the full minutes text for item 29.

None.