Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Laura Bluff, Councillor Jake Kearsley and Councillor Sean Gibbons.

There were no declarations of interest made.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings held on the 28th September 2023 be agreed as a correct 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 made.

The Panel received a presentation from the Chief Officer of Doncaster

and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals, which covered the following areas;

•       Urgent and Emergency Care

•       Emergency Access

•       Ambulance Handover

•       Improvement Work

•       Winter Plans

•       Reducing Long Waits

•       Non-surgical Oncology

•       Estates and Infrastructure

There was a discussion held and the following areas were highlighted;

Ambulance Handover Times – A Member referred to information reported last year on ambulance times and was pleased to see that the metrics for measuring ‘Ambulance Handover Performance’ had improved.  References were made to the importance of releasing ambulances and creating flow and capacity to deal with unexpected challenges.

There was a brief outline of issues around bed capacity at Doncaster Royal Infirmary and that they had the highest bed occupancy in South Yorkshire.  It was explained that there were challenges around working with partners in order to make that flow work, although it was noted that improvements had been seen.

Emergency Care Access - It was noted that although the performance of Emergency Care Access for September (seen within 12 hours), appeared good at 4.97%, which meant 460 people.  Reference was made to the recent experience of a Panel Member of attending A&E.  Feedback from this experience referred to concerns around cleanliness, potential health hazards and facilities for families with children, particularly when waiting for long periods.

It was acknowledged that the example provided was not the standard nor the ambition of care that the hospital was looking to provide.  It was explained that certain times presented significant challenges  Members heard that the department had been built to take 220 patients per day.  It was explained that there were children waiting areas within the hospital and efforts were being made to maintain hospital policies and procedures to minimise risks. 

ACTION: That information from the Panel Member be provided direct to the Chief Officer of Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals.

Another Member made reference to their experience when in the A&E waiting room, of feeling intimidated by other individuals present.  It was recognised that there were times when A&E waiting rooms proved to be a more challenging environment, such as during the weekend and in the evening (when alcohol may have been consumed by some individuals present).  It was responded that this was managed through staff roles addressing these situations as they developed. 

It was recognised that frustrations often occurred when booking into A&E or after waiting for long periods of time.  Members were informed that there was an additional building near reception, with a space to be used as a secondary waiting area.  It was noted that the solution and aim was to keep queues low and see people within 4 hours.

Increase in Minor Injuries - It was acknowledged that there had been a rise in attendance at the Emergency Department (ED) as a result of minor injuries.  Reference was made to challenges of accessing GPs that often resulted in more people going to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Panel received an overview from the Director of Adults, Health and Wellbeing and Director of Transformation, NHS South Yorkshire ICB, Doncaster Place. The following areas were raised as part of the discussion.

Discharge Planning – A Member raised concern about the pressures placed by winter on discharge planning.  Enquiries were made about the Discharge Unit and availability of packages of care, in light of feedback provided around an individual being discharged without a pack.

Members were assured that although that should not be happening, a situation might have taken place when pressures had led to it happening and the pack could have followed.  It was acknowledged that winter placed more pressure on wards which created challenges around discharges. There was a brief discussion about the process and what should take place and it was acknowledged that this service was operating in a more reactive manner at present.  Members were pleased to hear that there are initiatives and opportunities going forward within each of the workstreams and benchmarking information available to help measure performance.

Public Health Winter Predictions – Members expressed concern around reduced handwashing post Covid and felt that more could be undertaken to encourage this practice, particularly with children and young people within schools.  It was acknowledged that good infection prevention and control was important.  In terms of national infectious diseases, Members heard that measles had been on the increase nationally although there were presently no cases in Doncaster and that prevention was key.

Comparisons in Data and Performance with Neighbouring Local Authorities – there was a brief discussion around comparison with neighbouring Local Authorities and the reasons behind the differences in performances and data.

Communication – Members were assured that information was being placed where it would reach those who needed it the most and provided with examples of what was taking place.  Assurances were provided that this would be tested to ensure it was happening and was effective.

RESOLVED: That the Panel recommended that consideration be given to delivering wider publicity (including a school campaign), to encourage greater handwashing to prevent viruses from spreading.

The Panel gave consideration to the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan and the Council’s Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Action: The Senior Governance Officer noted the Doncaster Adult Social Care Local Account 2024 and offered to circulate it when it became available.

There was a brief discussion around the Yorkshire Ambulance Service and the Chair outlined that she would like the Panel to consider this as part of the future workplan from a Doncaster perspective.

RESOLVED: that the report, be noted and that the Yorkshire Ambulance Service be added to the workplan.