Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Derek Smith and Cllr Rachel Hodson

None

[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].

None

The Panel received a presentation from the Deputy Director, Strategy and Delivery of the NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) on the Covid-19 Vaccination programme.

Vaccinations at Home - It was explained that injections undertaken at home were done so through the Primary Care Network sites, where the vaccines delivered by GP practices combined to work through a network site and that they would set up a roving team.  It was outlined that the roving team would contact the individual first to inform them they were eligible and to book an appointment before that team would then vaccinate them at home.

Track and Trace - it was recognised that Doncaster was performing well at 71% and acknowledged that there was some personal responsibility in making this process effective.

Volunteers - In terms of the percentage of volunteers supporting centres, it was explained that the stewards were a mix of volunteers and staff.   A Councillor asked what percentage of Marshalls were volunteers and it was offered that this information be provided outside of the meeting.

Vaccination Sites – It was explained that sites would be open 7 days a week once they had the supply.  Members were assured that Cohorts 10-12 would include working adults and it was therefore recognised that those individuals were less likely to attend an appointment during the day.  It was explained that a range of options such as opening centres on evenings and weekends would also be considered.

It was clarified that the national letters were determined by NHS England who would look at which cohorts of people need to be invited next possibly through age range and or other groups such as unpaid carers.  It was explained that this was centrally co-ordinated sent to people who fit the cohorts.  From a local perspective, there was a direction from NHS England on who the invites need to be sent to.  It was recognised that travelling to a large-scale site was not always suitable and therefore a local option could be more suitable.

Comments were raised around the use of large-scale vaccination sites and the number of people that had been vaccinated there (compared to other types and sizes of venues).  It was explained that a number of issues had been taken into account when choosing local venues such as accessibility and car parking facilities.  In terms of the number of people vaccinated at Keepmoat Stadium, it was noted that the number had been higher than originally expected.

Reference was made to those venues that had been closed during the last year and using them as a vaccination centre to ensure that they are spread out and embedded in the community.  It was responded that there was an option to consider that on a temporary basis (such as a pop-up site) as formal vaccination sites designated by NHS England were the locations where vaccines supplies were delivered to and that could not be changed.  Members were informed that data was being collated to identify issues around take-up  ...  view the full minutes text for item 35.

The Panel was provided with the annual report on health protection assurance in Doncaster covering the financial year 2020/2021; 

The Panel was interested to hear about the following areas;

Resources and Capacity – It was recognised that there had been a coordinated and sustained response to the COVID-19 pandemic whilst existing duties and functions had been maintained.  Members were assured that the Council was meeting its priorities in response to the pandemic prior to receiving any funding.

Later in the meeting, there was a brief conversation regarding the success of multi-agency working and how there was a shared aspiration to build on that learning and collaboration.

Flu Vaccination and MMR – Members were pleased to learn that there had been improvements for all cohorts,  The following areas were discussed;

·         Increased take-up of vaccines - In terms of the reasons behind higher take-up of flu vaccinations, it was explained that individuals had wanted their flu vaccination prior to when the Covid vaccine was to be made available.  It was acknowledged that a significant improvement had been seen this year.

·         Antenatal Clinics - Members welcomed the offering of flu vaccinations through antenatal clinics.  It was explained that uptake did not appear higher due to data quality issues that had been raised nationally and the complex definitions/eligibility associated with this cohort.  Members were told that data quality issues were being addressed nationally for the next season and that providers were now well placed to increase take-up in the future.

·         Pneumonia vaccinations - there was a brief discussion around the low take-up reported for Pneumonia vaccinations and it was explained that there had been a challenge with logistics which was being looked into.

·         Staff Take-Up of Vaccinations - In terms of staff take-up of vaccinations, Members were informed that there had been a positive uptake amongst staff.  It was also acknowledged that staff take-up of vaccinations were not mandatory and were based on the individuals consent.

·         Vaccination in Schools - A Member raised concern that flu vaccination take-up within schools was only 55-60%.  It was explained that school closures had presented a challenge but there had continued to be an offer to provide a vaccine to all pupils.

Cervical screening - It was explained that cervical screening had continued in all practices across Doncaster (that restarted June 2020) and had shown increases during the last few months. Reference was made to work being undertaken by the Cancer Alliance and Jo’s Trust website which contained further information

Members were assured that plans were now in place to address the staffing issues experienced by Gateshead laboratory (managed by North East Cumbria commissioning team).  It was noted that there had been an improvement shown with the service now running at 32 days (from target of 14 days).  Member were assured that work was being undertaken with North East, North Cumbria with the laboratory to bring that down and that colleagues from quality assurance in Public Health England were supporting that work and that NHS England  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

An update was provided on progress made in response to recommendations made by the Panel to the Executive in the context of the Doncaster All Age Learning Disability and Autism Strategy 2021/24 and also on the report provided to Cabinet on the 9^th March 2021.

The following issues were discussed;

Panel Recommendations - Members were informed that the fundamental challenge to come out of the recommendations were in seeking assurances that the strategy would be actioned and monitored.  It was explained that, as part of the work that went to Cabinet there was an invitation to continue to be challenged on it.  Reference was made to examples of where improvements had been made during the last year although it was recognised that more needed to be done.  

Vaccinations and Health - In terms of vaccinations, it was acknowledged that there had been developments around those with a disability being vaccinated.  It was added that work had been undertaken with primary care practices during the pandemic.  It was continued that work had also been undertaken with those with learning disabilities and providers over the past year to ensure that they were safe.  It was noted that there had been some challenges although these had been reduced through proactive partnership work.

Diagnosis - It was commented that there was a number of adults and older people with autism or learning disability who had not been diagnosed.  It was responded that it was not just about the diagnosis of those coming through the school system, but also about diagnosis later in life and finally post diagnostic support.  Reference was made to the Priority – Access to Autism Diagnosis (within the strategy) and it was recognised that there was still a long way to go. 

Issues and Challenges - Finally, concern was raised around challenges to issues such as improving transitions, improving pathways into work and in relation to healthcare, in particularly, following the disruptions experienced during the last year and how expectations going forward could be managed.  It was recognised that young people of any diagnosis already experienced a difficult time and that the most important component yet biggest challenge was having the voice of those with experience themselves to come through more strongly.

The Panel resolved to;

a.     Note the progress of actions against each of the recommendations.

b.     Note the status and progress of the Learning Disability and Autism Strategy

c.     Consider the appropriate elements of the ‘Doncaster All Age Strategy For Autistic People And People With A Learning Disability’ as part of the Health and Adults Social Care and Children and Young People Overview and Scrutiny workplans during 2021/2022.

The Senior Governance Officer presented the 2020/21 Scrutiny Work Plan for consideration and reminded Members of the current Forward Plan of key decisions.

There was a brief discussion around future items for the Overview and Scrutiny future workplan following the meeting’s discussions.

RESOLVED the Overview and Scrutiny Work Plan 2020/21 and Forward Plan of key decisions be noted.