Meeting documents

Apologies received from Ms S Adoh (Buckinghamshire Healthwatch) and Mr N Shepherd (Chiltern District Council).

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on Tuesday 25 November 2014 and Thursday 11 December 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 28 October 2014 were confirmed as a correct record.

Matters arising

Item 5 – Chairman’s report – Papers and a link to the webcast of the 9 December Education and Skills Select Committee was circulated to committee members to make them aware of transfer of children’s health commissioning to the County Council’s Public Health Team. 

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 11 December 2014 were confirmed as a correct record.

This is an opportunity for members of the public to put a question or raise an issue of concern, related to health.   Where possible, the relevant organisation to which the question/issue is directed will be present to give a verbal response.  The member of public will be invited to speak for up to four minutes on their issue.  A maximum of 30 minutes is set aside for the Public Questions slot in total (including responses and any Committee discussion). This may be extended with the Chairman’s discretion. 

For full guidance on Public Questions, including how to register a request to speak during this slot, please follow this link:

http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/about-your-council/scrutiny/get-involved/

No public questions have been received for this meeting.

There were no public questions.

Members were advised that there is guidance on how to submit public questions on the Council’s website: www.buckscc.gov.uk/about-your-council/scrutiny/guidance/ 

For the Chairman of the Committee to provide an update to the Committee on recent scrutiny related activity.

Information was circulated from the local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and the Council’s Public Health Team on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).  Newly published national data on FGM showed no new cases in Buckinghamshire. The Buckinghamshire Safeguarding Children Board (BSCB) is discussing a paper at their March meeting.

Action : The committee agreed to consider further work on FGM once information is received from the March BSCB meeting

The Chairman attended a Thames Valley Health Scrutiny Chairman network event on 26th January in Wokingham and there is a plan to host a further event in Aylesbury in July. 

Key points from the Finance, Performance and Resources Select Committee budget scrutiny were highlighted.

NHS England (Thames Valley) area team is reviewing the options for a new provider to take over the running of the Cressex Health Centre, High Wycombe and concern was raised about information sharing with local Members and the public.

Action: It was agreed that the Chairman would raise the issue of information sharing with the NHS England Thames Valley Area Team

A member of the committee’s Better Care Fund (BCF) sub-group requested that another update meeting is arranged with the BCF lead officer.

Action: Mr J Povey to arrange a meeting of the HASC sub-group with the BCF lead officer

Disappointment was expressed about the lack of updates on Wexham Park & Heatherwood Hospitals from the County Council’s representative on the Frimley Health board of governors.

For Members of the Committee to provide any updates on health and social care topics or providers.

No updates

For members to receive information on the content of the Primary Care Strategy for Buckinghamshire, and question commissioners on the implications and implementation of this over the next few years.

Contributors

Annet Gamell (Chiltern CCG Chief Clinical Officer)

Lou Patten (Aylesbury Vale CCG Chief Officer)

Dr Malcolm Jones (Aylesbury Vale CCG lead for Primary Care Strategy)

Papers

To Follow

Item deferred to the March committee meeting.

For members to scrutinise the activity of the Health and Wellbeing Board, and its future aims and priorities.

Contributors

Patricia Birchley – BCC Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing & Chairman of the Buckinghamshire Health and Wellbeing Board

Katie McDonald – BCC Health and Wellbeing Lead Officer

Papers

HWB Report for HASC

HWB Presentation of HASC

HWB Work Programme 2014-15

HOSC/HWB Memorandum of Understanding

The Committee was informed that that Council Leader Martin Tett would be chairing the Board meetings in future.

The Committee received and debated a presentation from Katie Macdonald. SEE PAPERS/WEBCAST FOR CONTENT.  Members sought clarification over issues including implications of being a two tier authority area, Board transparency, governance, size and membership of the Board, Board accountability, contribution of Healthwatch, Board impact on residents, joint strategic needs assessment consultation, adopting Board best practice from other areas, what the Board is doing well, Board relationship to Safeguarding Boards, delivery of Board aims in local areas, location of meetings, and the Better Care Fund..

Action:  Ms K Macdonald agreed to add District Councils to the Governance slide and provide an update on governance once this is agreed by the Board

 Action: Ms K Macdonald agreed to consider the suggestion to hold Board meetings at various sites countywide and provide a timetable for this

Action: Ms K Macdonald will provide the HASC with the HWB Annual Report when available and information on the Board’s public engagement and communication plans

For members to note the responses that have been received from various agencies to the recommendations made in the committee’s GP Inquiry Report which was agreed at the last meeting.  

Papers

HASC GP Inquiry Recommendations Responses

Mr R Reed (Chairman of the GP Inquiry), led a discussion of responses.   Disappointment was expressed in the lack of response from the NHS England National Team and responses to recommendations 2 and 4 were felt to be insufficient. 

Action: Mr J Povey will follow up to secure action dates for delivery, obtain fuller responses to recommendations 2 and 4, and share CCG responses in relation to recommendation 3

The Committee discussed use of developer contributions, premises improvements and long-term planning, the role of technology in providing health services, GP numbers and the role of pharmacies, non-attendance at GP appointments, and whether CCGs should be the main contact for planning matters rather than the NHS England Area Team.

Action: Mr R Reed will speak with CCGs on the process for NHS engagement in planning matters

Contributors

James Povey – Scrutiny officer

Papers

The Health & Adult Social Care Select Committee Work Programme

HASC Inquiry Briefing Paper Feb 2015

The future work programme for the HASC was considered and an Inquiry into Adults with Learning Disabilities was agreed, with membership of the inquiry group to include

Mr B Adams, Mrs M Aston, Mr N Brown, Mrs A Davies, Ms A Macpherson, Mr R Reed and Mrs F Roberts.

Decision: The Committee agreed to proceed with an Inquiry into Adults with Learning Disabilities, in advance of a further possible Inquiry into services for  Adult Mental Health later in the year

Action: Mr J Povey to develop scopes for both future inquiries for committee approval.

The Chairman had received a response from the CCGs regarding committee concerns at ambulance response times (response to be added to meeting papers online). 

Action: Committee Members to comment on the CCG response to Mr J Povey

An issue with limited appointments in High Wycombe for the blood donation service was raised. 

Action: The Chairman agreed to investigate further and report back to the HASC

The next meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 24 March 2015 at 10am in Mezzanine Room 2, County Hall, Aylesbury.

The next meeting is due to take place on Tuesday 24^th March 2014 at 10am in Mezzanine Room 2, County Hall.