Agenda and minutes

Councillors Sue McGuinness, Andrea Robinson and Mark Houlbrook

Councillor Blake declared an interest by virtue of being employed by HS2.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel held on the 6^th July, 2016 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chair.

[A period not exceeding 20 minutes for

Statements from up to 5 members of the public on

matters within the Panel’s remit, proposing action(s)

which may be considered or contribute towards the

future development of the Panel’s work programme].

There were no public statements.

The Panel received a report and presentation which provided Members with an overview of Health Inequalities and the work that was currently taking place within Doncaster.  This included the development of the Health and Wellbeing Strategy led by DMBC and Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group that aimed to reduce health inequalities.

Councillor Pat Knight, Cabinet Member for Portfolio holder for Public Health and Wellbeing attended the meeting and reminded the Panel of the open invite for them to attend all workshops of the Health and Wellbeing Board, including one on Health Inequalities to be held on the 13^th October 2016.

A presentation was provided that covered the following areas: -

·         Life expectancy across England and Wales

·         Geographical Inequalities within Doncaster

·         Inequalities related to deprivation

·         Reducing Inequalities

·         How can inequalities be addressed?

·         Using scrutiny to improve health and reduce health inequalities

·         Burns Practise Pilot & Methodology

·         Results

·         Future Recommendations

·         System Wide Approach to addressing inequalities

The Panel sought to provide input taking into consideration the following three questions;

1.    What are the inequalities you perceive in your communities?

2.    What do you think could be done to address inequalities?

3.    What would you like to see in a Health Inequalities action plan?

As part of the discussion and response, Panel Members raised the following areas:-

Veterans

Members were informed that veterans formed part of a specific group and protected characteristic within our population who may experience inequality.  Positive news was highlighted that Doncaster Council received a Gold Award for the support of Armed Forces which would in turn raise further awareness for veterans in the borough.  Members were informed of money that had been generated by Project NOVA (Supporting Veterans in the Criminal Justice System) that would support a pilot to be run.

Members heard how in terms of data collection of patients who were classed as veterans, that GPs were being encouraged to seek which patients were ex-armed forces (as many younger ex-armed forces personnel did not view themselves as a ‘veteran’ which was perceived as being something associated at an older age).

Transport

Members were told how within the Sprotborough Ward (a rural ward), that certain bus services had ceased and that there were now 3 villages without a bus service which had an older population and may not necessarily have access to a car.  It was viewed that this would make it difficult for those residents to access a GP, obtain prescriptions or indeed reach other areas resulting in loneliness, isolation and depression as they are unable to leave the village.

In other areas such as Rossington and Bawtry, it was reported that bus stops were located far from residents and in places such as up a hill which made the stop difficult to access and that also evening services provided a particular problem.

Members were informed that in Dunscroft, residents struggled to access their local hospital due to limited bus services and on occasion needed to pay higher transport costs.

In Stainforth and the Barnby Dunn area, it  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

The Panel received a report updating the Members on the Panels work plan for 2016/17. A copy of the work plan was attached at Appendix A to the report which took into account the issues considered at the informal Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny planning meeting held on the 6th June, 2016 and was agreed by OSMC on the 10th June, 2016.

Panel Members questioned progress and actions of areas considered by overview and scrutiny and expressed concerned about the speed of progression.

Action: To arrange a meeting with the Cabinet Members to receive an update on their portfolio areas.

There was a brief discussion regarding the number and cost of employing consultants within the authority and concern was raised what level of knowledge such consultants had of Doncaster

Reference was made to a new area included on the Panel’s workplan about Sustainability and Transformation Plan.  It was briefly explained that would have a massive impact on health service with millions of savings to be found.

Action: For a briefing note to be provided to Members on the Sustainability and Transformation Plan

RESOLVED that the Panel noted:-

(1)     the Health and Adults Social Care Overview and Scrutiny work plan for 2016/17;

(2)     that the work plan is a living document which is subject to change and will be reviewed and updated at each meeting of the Panel to include any relevant correspondence, updates, new issues and resources available to meet additional requests;