Agenda and minutes

To note any changes in membership of the Committee made in accordance with Part 4B paragraph 5 of the Constitution.

Cllr Claire Critchison was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr David Adams. Cllr Nick Stuart was absent.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2022.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2022 be approved.

To invite Members to declare any interest they might have in the matters on the agenda.

No declarations were received at this stage.

Members of the public are invited to make representations to the Committee regarding its workplan. Questions may be asked without notice but to guarantee a full reply, a question must be put (including the name and address of the questioner) in writing or email to Democratic Services at democratic.services@iow.gov.uk, no later than two clear working days before the meeting. The deadline for submitting written questions is Wednesday, 1 March 2023.

No public questions were received.

To receive an update on the progress against the outcomes arising from previous meetings, and to provide an update on any outstanding actions.

The chairman presented the report which provided an overview of the progress against outcomes and recommendations from previous meetings.  The chairman referred to the outstanding action with regards to meeting with Patient Participation Groups (PPG’s) and it was advised that PPG’s were being reintroduced across all localities following the pandemic.

Discussion took place with regards to the removal of funding for the Stroke Association following the agreement of the council’s budget 2023-24. It was confirmed that, while a difficult decision to make, the council was satisfied that the services that stroke survivors need would being provided through the Integrated Care Board's contract with the Isle of Wight NHS Trust.

Reference was made to the letter sent to the MP on behalf of the committee in December 2022 regarding dentistry on the Isle of Wight, and it was advised that the MP had indicated that the matter would be taken up with the Secretary of State for Health.

RESOLVED:

THAT the progress report and updates be noted.

To receive a verbal update on the winter pressures, alongside a review of the Winter Plan and how these pressures have been dealt with.

The committee received a verbal update on the winter pressures that have been faced, alongside the review of the Winter Plan, and how these pressures have been dealt with. Questions were raised regarding summer heatwave planning. It was agreed that the item would return to scrutiny once a deep dive analysis has been completed on the impact of the winter schemes on the community to determine what schemes can or can’t be continued.

RESOLVED:

THAT the verbal update be noted.

To consider steps being taken to assist in the recruitment and retention of staff working in health and social care.

The Director of Adult Social Care presented an update on the steps being taken to assist in the recruitment and retention of staff working in health and social care. Comments were made regarding career progression, funding, job satisfaction, and public perception for careers in health and care. Concerns were raised around pay parity as it related to being a key area to address recruitment and retention challenges. Health partners outlined the steps being taken to align pay, benefits, and terms and conditions across the sector. It was advised that a new website was being designed which would enable prospective employees to complete only one application form to access a number of job vacancies across social care. The committee were offered a demonstration of the website prior to it going live. It was agreed that the item would return to scrutiny in a years’ time to receive an update on progress with recruitment and retention.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To consider the new Carers Strategy and action plan, as aligns with an action from the Corporate Plan, prior to submission to Cabinet for approval on 9 March 2023.

The Director of Adult Social Care presented the new Carers Strategy and action plan prior to its submission to the Cabinet for approval on 9 March 2023. Questions were raised regarding the implementation of the strategy and future monitoring. The committee recognised the work of unpaid carers across the Island and endorsed the report and its action plan.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report to the Cabinet be endorsed.

To receive an update covering both Trust (Southern, Solent, Portsmouth Hospital Trusts) and mental health partnerships.

Consideration was given to the progress with the creation of a new Trust for all community and mental health services across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (Project Fusion). The committee received an update on the proposal for Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust and the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s to form a group for acute services. It was accepted that the communications on this could have been handled more effectively. Questions were raised in relation to CQC ratings, specialist treatment, and the committee sought assurance that any partnerships would look to address issues for patients with cross-Solent travel.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To be advised of any proposals relating to health and social care services affecting Island residents and progress on those previously notified. Verbal updates will be provided on the Elective Surgery Hub and on Dementia Beds.

The committee received a verbal update on the upcoming six-month pilot programme to develop mental health dementia beds on the Island. Questions were raised regarding how the project would be evaluated, and the lessons learned from the closure of the Shackleton Ward in 2019. There was discussion around the difference between the Trust’s requirements on where it needed to have public engagement and where public consultation was necessary. It was confirmed that the results of the pilot would be reported to the committee and it was agreed that the topic of consultation versus engagement would be added to the committees workplan.

The committee received a verbal update on the progress with the Elective Surgery Hub to be based in Winchester, and concerns were raised again regarding cross-Solent travel. It was agreed that the topic of cross-Solent travel would be added to the committees workplan.

RESOLVED:

THAT the updates be noted.

To consider any CQC reports in relation to the operation of any health trust, Primary Care or council adult social care facility:

The committee noted and welcomed the CQC inspection report where the Isle of Wight NHS Trust’s Maternity Services was awarded an overall ‘Good’ rating following inspection in November 2022. The committee acknowledged the TrustedCare research following the Isle of Wight being ranked first place in the UK in an independent national review of care homes and home care.

RESOLVED:

THAT the reports be noted, and staff involved in delivery maternity services be congratulated.

To consider any amendments to the current workplan.

Consideration was given to the future workplan, and the committee and health partners were invited to identify any key issues that should be included. It was suggested that fall preventions would be added to the committees workplan.

RESOLVED:

THAT the workplan be noted.

A question may be asked at the meeting without prior notice but in these circumstances there is no guarantee that a full reply will be given. To guarantee a reply, a question  must be submitted in writing or by email to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5pm on Thursday, 2 March 2023.

Members of the committee, and health partners, thanked the statutory Scrutiny Officer, Mr Paul Thistlewood, for his work and wished him all the best ahead of his upcoming retirement.