Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Cllr Mrs Hailstones.

Cllr Mrs Johnson stated that she worked for an organisation that covered Combined Health Services.  

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15^th August 2012 be agreed as a correct record.

Resolved:     That the minutes be received.

The Chair stated that unfortunately the representatives from the CCG were unable to attend the meeting. It was however also confirmed that a meeting was due to be organised by the County Council Health Select Committee to which the CCGs, County Council representatives and Borough Council Representatives would be invited. It was hoped that the meeting would be held towards the end of November. The Chair confirmed that he would be attending a Board meeting of the North Staffordshire CCG on 7^th November along with Cllr Becket, Cllr Loades confirmed that he would also like to attend the meeting which would be held at the Hartshill medical Institute at 2pm.

Members requested that it be highlighted to the CCG that the Borough Council were still keen to meet with their representatives.

The following representatives will be in attendance:

Kath Clark:                 Service Line Manager for Older People’s Services

Jacqui Wilshaw:        Modern Matron for Older People’s Services

Members welcomed Kath Clark, Service Line Manager for Older People’s Services and Jacqui Wilshaw, Modern Matron for Older People’s Services.

The Assessment Ward (Ward 4) had dealt with people aged over 65 with dementia or suspected dementia; often these patients were admitted following deterioration in their mental health treatment of which could be intensive.

In order to cater for this a complex needs purpose built ward had been installed which used the surrounding environment to help treat patients. The move of Ward 4 was to be completed in 2 phases with completion scheduled for February 2013. The move of Ward 6 which dealt with complex needs had already been completed on April 2012.

Members requested information regarding the beds in the wards and it was confirmed that there were 20 beds in Ward 4 and that 17 were currently being used, a 60 day turn for beds around was considered average. There were 10 beds in Ward 6 which were all occupied and there would be 15 once the move was completed.

Members discussed the involvement of Carers in the care process and it was confirmed that carers were a vital part of the care package especially prior to a patient returning home as staff had to be sure that facilities were in place for domiciliary home care and that a care package had been agreed. Members requested that at a future meeting an exercise be carried out to show in details the care pathway that was followed.

Members queried how support was offered to patients once they had returned home and it was confirmed that each case was dealt with on an individual basis. A model of care was available to carers in order to help them make an informed decision as to whether they were able to care for the patient at home or whether additional help was required. It was thought that at present a larger percentage of patients went into care rather that back home but that this could change in the future due to the National Dementia Strategy which could lead to more early diagnoses.

Members raised concern regarding the funding that was available for patients and carers once they left hospital and the availability of services in the community to support them. It was confirmed that training sessions were organised for Carers by Mrs Wilshaw that that training formed a part of the role of staff on the wards. Community Mental Health Nurses were also available to help.

The question was raised as to where GPs fitted into the picture and it was confirmed that master classes were being held with GPs and more referrals were being made on the basis of these.

Overall members were please with the progress that had been made and that continued to be made regarding the move of facilities and thanked Mrs Clark and Mrs Wilshaw for attending the meeting.

The Committee received a briefing note from the Council’s Partnerships Manager regarding Infant Mortality in Newcastle under Lyme.

Members raised concerns regarding where Health Visitors fitted into the process and it as confirmed that at present there was no Health Visitor Representative on the Infant Mortality Commissioners Group.

Concerns were also raised regarding the apparent slow progress of the scrutiny topic and that the Commissioners Group still appeared to be in the scoping phase. The issue had first been identified in spring 2011 at which point the County Council Health Scrutiny Committee had requested Newcastle to carry out a scrutiny exercise on the topic.

The Partnerships Manager stated that it looked as of the figures were dropping but that further clarification was required and that no ward in the Borough appeared to be worse affected than any other. Members stated that if the figures were improving then the reasons for this needed to be identified to ensure that there was no relapse in the future.

A request was made that a representative form the Commissioners group attend a future meeting of the Scrutiny Committee and provide more up to date figures regarding Infant Mortality in the Borough including clarification as to what was classed as infant mortality.

Resolved:     That the information be received, that further more up to date information be requested for the next meeting and that if possible a representative of the Commissioners Group be invited to attend a future meeting.

Possible Dates for the Visit:

30^th October 2012 - Anytime

1^st November 2012 – anytime after 12.00

15^th November 2012 - Morning only

Resolved:     That the visit be arranged for 1^st November after 4pm.

To consider any business which is urgent within the meaning of Section 100 B(4) of the Local Government Act 1972.

There was no urgent business.