Agenda and minutes

Venue: David Hicks 1 - Civic Offices, Shute End, Wokingham RG40 1BN. View directions

Contact: Madeleine Shopland  Democratic & Electoral Services Specialist

Items
No. Item

32.

Apologies

To receive any apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Batth and Haines.

33.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 184 KB

To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting held on 15 November 2017.

 

Minutes:

The Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 November 2017 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

34.

Declaration of Interest

To receive any declarations of interest

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

35.

Public Question Time

To answer any public questions

 

A period of 30 minutes will be allowed for members of the public to ask questions submitted under notice.

 

The Council welcomes questions from members of the public about the work of this committee.

 

Subject to meeting certain timescales, questions can relate to general issues concerned with the work of the Committee or an item which is on the Agenda for this meeting.  For full details of the procedure for submitting questions please contact the Democratic Services Section on the numbers given below or go to www.wokingham.gov.uk/publicquestions

Minutes:

There were no public questions.

36.

Member Question Time

To answer any member questions

Minutes:

There were no Member questions.

37.

Update on GP Alliance

To receive an update on the GP Alliance (20 mins)

Minutes:

This item was deferred to the Committee meeting on 7 March 2018.

38.

Possible impact of the 21st Century Council project on health and social care services pdf icon PDF 30 KB

To receive an update on the possible impact of the 21st Century Council project on health and social care services (20 mins)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Paul Senior, Interim Director of People Services provided an update on the possible impact of the Council’s 21st century Council project on health and social care services and the progression of the integration agenda.

 

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

 

·         People Services consisted of Children’s Social Care and Early Help, Education, Adults Mental Health, Adults Social Care and Quality Assurance and Safeguarding Standards.

·         Many councils were undergoing transformation programmes and services had to adapt to changing need.  Wokingham’s demographic was changing and the local offer needed to adapt accordingly.

·         Paul Senior emphasised that a local authority could quickly move from being outstanding to mediocre if it did not change and adapt sufficiently.  He went on to state that there was some examples of highly effective practice at the Council but that there was also scope for improvement.

·         A number of factors would have an impact on the service provided.  These included more schools becoming academies, the loss of the SEND grant, the loss of the revenue grant and the 21st century council programme.  In addition, Green Papers on Social Care and Health were due to be published.

·         Key decisions would need to consider the retention of non- statutory services, the future role of the local voluntary, community and faith sector in supporting the Council in discharging both statutory and preventative duties and to also explore the scope for further development of shared services with neighbouring local authority areas.

·         Members noted the 21st Century Council Vision and programme benefits.

·         Paul Senior took Members through the pathway for care.  The Committee was reminded that it was proposed that by 2020 the health and social care systems would be fully integrated.

·         Efficiency was important.  There should be a ‘single front door’ with people only having to tell their story once. 

·         Paul Senior stated that there was further scope for streamlining of processes.  For example there were a number of different databases for dealing with information around vulnerable adults.

·         It was vital that the Council worked well with its partners such as the Clinical Commissioning Group and the voluntary sector to deliver the best outcomes for its residents.

·         In response to a Member question regarding the integration of budgets, Paul Senior commented that where there was ‘gold star’ performance there was often a joint commissioning framework in place.  It was noted that the Council had an enhanced Section 75 agreement in place with the Clinical Commissioning Group.  It was emphasised that integration should be value for money.

·         Councillor Blumenthal asked how any changes would be communicated to residents.  She was informed that once a set of proposals was in place the message would be communicated.

·         Councillor Miall asked how it was ensured that people did not fall outside of the system, particularly if they transferred between areas.  Paul Senior emphasised that early identification mechanisms and quality of practice was vital.  Good handovers and quality of data were key. 

·         Paul Senior commented that he was not yet  ...  view the full minutes text for item 38.

39.

Healthwatch Update pdf icon PDF 1 MB

To receive an update on the work of Healthwatch Wokingham Borough. (15 mins)

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received an update from Healthwatch Wokingham Borough.

 

During the discussion of this item the following points were made:

 

·         Nicola Strudley presented the summary quarter report.

·         Healthwatch Wokingham Borough had refreshed its work plan.  Nicola Strudley highlighted key projects.  It was noted that Healthwatch would be looking at the impact of system transformation and working with the Clinical Commissioning Group in relation to the implementation of the Accountable Care System.  A one year fully funded post which would act as a conduit between the health system and the three Berkshire West Healthwatches had been agreed.

·         Healthwatch would be undertaking a comprehensive programme of Enter and Views.

·         Members would be sent a copy of the report regarding the visit to Prospect Park.

·         Several case studies and the impact that Healthwatch had had in the individual cases were highlighted.

·         With regards to a case where a family had experienced difficulties in accessing a powered wheelchair for their child, Councillor Blumenthal asked what the final outcome had been.  Nicola Strudley agreed to feed back to the Committee.

·         The Committee considered a case study about a carer who had sought advice and support from Healthwatch with regards to caring for her mother who had memory issues and also carers’ services.  Members were informed that there had been a lack of signposting to information and that Healthwatch had acted as a liaison.  Councillor Blumenthal asked whether this was a one off occurrence and was informed that it was not.  She went on to ask whether improvement was monitored after feedback was given to providers.  Nicola Strudley commented that themes and trends were monitored. 

·         In response to a Member question Nicola Strudley clarified that Healthwatch Wokingham Borough would always seek feedback from the relevant provider.

·         Members were informed of a live consultation on the intention to jointly commission Reading and Wokingham Healthwatches in future. 

·         It was understood that funding had reduced overall and that there was a need to make efficiencies where possible.

·         Members were informed that the current budget for the two Healthwatches equalled £217,000 and that it was proposed that the budget for a combined Healthwatch be reduced to £173,000, a reduction of £44,000.  Members questioned what this saving represented.

·         A Member questioned whether the two Healthwatches had similar work levels and issues.  Nicola Strudley commented that there were some similarities but also some big differences.  For example Healthwatch Reading had undertaken a large piece of work regarding tuberculosis which was less of an issue in the Wokingham Borough.

·         Members noted that Healthwatch Wokingham ran a phone helpdesk Monday to Friday 9am-5pm whereas Healthwatch Reading offered a phone helpdesk three days a week 10am-1pm.

·         Some Members expressed concern that the element of localism would be lost should there be a joint service.

·         The Committee queried why it was proposed that Healthwatch Reading and Healthwatch Wokingham be jointly commissioned as opposed to joint commissioning with other local Healthwatches.

·         The Chairman proposed that a response to the consultation be submitted by the Committee and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 39.

40.

Health Consultations pdf icon PDF 144 KB

To receive a report regarding health consultations (5 mins)

Minutes:

The Committee received a report regarding current consultations.  Members were informed of consultations about transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper and also introducing opt-out consent for organ and tissue donation in England.

 

RESOLVED:  That the report regarding current health consultations be noted.

 

41.

Forward Programme pdf icon PDF 155 KB

To consider the forward programme for the remainder of the municipal year. (5 mins)

Minutes:

The Committee considered the forward programme for the remainder of the municipal year.

 

It was noted that the update on the GP Alliance would be taken to the Committee’s March meeting.

 

RESOLVED:  That the forward programme be noted.