Agenda and minutes

There were no declarations made at the meeting.

The minutes of the Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting held on the 23rd November, 2016 were agreed as a true record.

Further to a request made at the September meeting, Councillor Sean Gibbons requested updates be provided from Director of Regeneration and Housing on Welfare Assistance and Third Sector Strategy.

[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 made at the meeting.

The Panel received a presentation by Kim Curry, Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing and Patrick Birch, Improvement Director on the Transformation Programme considered at Cabinet on 29th November, 2016. Members were provided with a copy of the presentation at the meeting. Details of progress so far and the programme of work was highlighted within the presentation.

Following the presentation, Members were afforded the opportunity to make comments and ask questions. The Chair, Councillor Rachel Blake thanked officers for the presentation and stated that it was pleasing to see the improvements so far.

The following areas were discussed:-

It was asked how the Council would ensure that the Community Lead would remain fit for purpose. Members were advised that the projects would be led by local communities and each locality would be tasked with engaging with the public within that area. It was advised that Thorne was being used as a pilot for the project and a launch had taken place. Around 40 people attended the launch expressing their views and concerns regarding the area. It was advised that a good response to the scheme had been received and it was the intension to undergo intensive work with families within the Thorne area. It should also be noted that whilst the scheme would be starting within the eastern part of the borough this would eventually be rolled out to other areas of Doncaster.

It was noted that existing buildings would be used. It was envisaged that communities would coordinate the search for premises. Some suggestions were provided, such as GP surgeries, community centres etc. Members were advised that a mapping exercise had been carried out and identified possible premises for the Hubs throughout the whole of the borough.

An update was sought with regard to Direct Payments. Members were advised that significant work had been carried out with regard to direct payments with up to 565 people now using the system. It was envisaged that this would be increased to over 600 by the end of March. It was noted that whilst there was still more to be done particularly with regard to money management there had been a positive increase and the Council were in a much better position now than last year. It was also noted that staff were feeling much more confident with the system which in turn had made the process much swifter.

Discussion took place with regard to savings and investment figures highlighted within the presentation and an explanation was provided to Members on the details of what some of the services were. With regard to Housing related support, Members were notified it was envisaged that these savings could be found. However, if the savings were not achievable they will need to be identified from elsewhere, but members were assured that these were informed estimates.

Although staffing costs were covered within customer journey and other savings, Members felt that there needed to be more information and explanation for staffing costs.

Clarification was sought as to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Panel considered an update report on the commissioned care and support at home. It was reported that on 24th May 2016, Cabinet noted an update report on the transformation of Adult Health and Wellbeing Services in Doncaster specifically referring to the Commissioned Care and Support at Home (CCASH) Service.

The report outlined that the proposed new model of service to address current failings in the local market, provide greater stability, improve local connections and provide the platform for further transformational change. The new contracts were awarded on the 1st November, 2016 to significantly contribute towards the following objectives:-

·         Supporting more people to be helped to live at home as an alternative to residential care.

·         Developing robust strategic relationships with the new Strategic Lead Providers in order to provide a platform for on-going transformational change of the service.

·         Greater market sustainability through zoning

·         A commissioning for outcomes focus underpinned by an asset and strength based approach to assessment and care management.

Details of the main characteristics and features of the new service were also identified within the report.

Members noted the report presented to them and comments made by the Deputy Mayor Councillor Glyn Jones.

            RESOLVED that the update of the CCASH Service be noted.

The Panel received a presentation from Lee Golze, Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) promoting, protecting and improving our children and young people’s emotional well-being and mental health.  It was outlined to the Panel that the CCG had a five year vision to transform the whole system.  The Local Transformation Plan had recently been refreshed and signed off by the Health and Well-being Board.  Provision covered four tiers from early intervention, for example support in schools for emotional health issues, to the need for long term psychiatric beds.

The following areas were discussed:

Good outcomes for children and young people – it had been found that children reacted more positively to people and settings they were familiar with or a professional. 

New model of provision – would include key officers in school where symptoms of emotional health or mental health could be identified by people who know the children and young people well.  It was hoped that such intervention could provide earlier and correct access to support services in their own communities rather than through the traditional GP route. 

Accident and Emergency – A Paediatric nurse was now based in the department to help young people who were entering Accident and Emergency on Friday evenings, for example, due to self-harming.  The nurse would be more equipped to deal with children and young people leading or suffering from chaotic lifestyles.

Foster Carers – with specialised knowledge were providing temporary short term care to ensure that children and young people in crisis with mental/emotional health issues were ensuring the right care package was in place.

Eating disorders – wrap around support was currently available for young people 0 to 19 years but there was aspiration that it the service be commissioned for 0 to 25 years.  It was noted that obesity was also being addressed with Public Health as part of the 5 year plan.  Members highlighted the positives from the Active Kids programme in school holidays and the HENRY programme that had been developed to tackle early years obesity prevention.

Family Therapeutic Service – it was confirmed that the service looked at families as a whole and, working with partners, provided the correct support package. 

Emotional well-being questionnaires – following Members concern it was noted that if children and young people were asked to complete the same style of questionnaire as an adult it would only provide a snapshot of their emotional/mental state on a particular day and would not give support services a true picture.  Members acknowledged that when professionals work with children and young people they can raise a variety of issues that provides information about the root of the problem.  When dealing with cases, quality reports are provided to ensure Commissioners can gain a better understanding of the mental health.

Consultation and Advice Locality Workers – it was noted that academisation did not have an impact on provision of the service and there had been no difficulty working with the schools.  81% of Doncaster’s schools had provided the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

The Panel gave consideration to the Panel’s work plan and following earlier discussions on the agenda, the Chair proposed that the next meeting of the Scrutiny Panel (15^th March, 2017) be held at the Vermuyden Centre, and at the same time take the opportunity to have a look at the new assistive technology/telecare items available.

The Panel considered that the 15^th March, meeting take the following format:

1.     Public Health Protection/Air Pollution – Victor Joseph and Ian kellet

2.     “Your Life Local” Community led support – discussion with Karen Johnson

3.     Hold an assistive technology demonstration.

The item relating to Intermediate care be removed from the agenda.

RESOLVED that:-

1.          The report be noted.

2.          The Panel at its meeting on 15^th March, consider the following:

Public Health Protection/Air Pollution – Victor Joseph and Ian kellet

“Your Life Local” Community led support – discussion with Karen Johnson

Have a look at new assistive technology available and a look around the Vermuyden Centre building.

3.              Intermediate care, be removed from the agenda.