Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies were received from Chris Orchin (Healthwatch Isle of Wight). Cllr Claire Critchison was in attendance as a substitute for Cllr Rodney Downer. Cllr Warren Drew was absent.

To confirm as true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 6 March 2023 be approved.

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

Cllr Michael Lilley declared an interest as a trustee of the Isle of Wight Youth Trust.

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, 31 May 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. No comments were made at this stage. The chairman proposed that updates on dentistry and winter pressures be added to the workplan for the next meeting in September 2023, and a further update on mental health be provided at the meeting in December 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and update be noted.

To consider the demands placed upon the 111 Service and how this impacts the health and social care system.

The Director of the Ambulance Service at the IW NHS Trust was in attendance to present the report which outlined the demands placed upon the 111 Service and the impact this had on the wider health and social care system. Questions were raised regarding the collaboration with other emergency services, and the use of the 111 service as an alternative to contacting GP Practices. Discussion took place regarding the data on abandoned calls which was shown to be above the national average, and the committee sought confirmation that this was being addressed. It was advised that this data directly correlated with a period of call-handler staffing capacity issues which had since been resolved. The committee requested further data around whether calls had been abandoned before or after they had been answered, and it was agreed this data would be sought for circulation to the committee.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and the update be noted.

In November 2021 the committee received a report on Suicide Prevention which outlined the key suicide prevention activities on the Island since January 2020. It was agreed that a further progress report would be submitted to the Committee in a future workplan item.

Consideration was given to the Isle of Wight Mental Wellbeing Plan and the Isle of Wight Suicide Prevention Plan, prior to their sign off by the Health and Wellbeing Board in July 2023. The committee received an update on mental health services, which included an overview of the agreed strategic priorities, progress to date, areas for action, and the No Wrong Door service model. Questions were raised around grant funding and future budgeting, and the evaluation of performance against targets and timeframes. It was suggested that the topic of mental health be added to the workplan for December 2023, with an invite to be extended to the groups within the Mental Health Alliance.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and update be noted.

To consider the overarching impact of funding on adult social care & health after the budget has been set for 2023/24.

Consideration was given to the documentation which outlined the financial position and funding for the health and social care system. The chairman suggested that the topic be the subject of an informal briefing with health partners and finance colleagues, in conjunction with the Audit and Governance Committee, in order to receive a greater level of detail on the matter. Questions were raised in relation to the national news that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) would be required to reduce their running costs and the potential impact that this could have locally. It was confirmed that a proposed staffing reorganisation would not adversely affect the operational performance of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB, which would continue to meet its statutory and legal obligations.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and update be noted.

To receive an update covering both Trust (Southern, Solent, Portsmouth Hospital Trusts) and Mental Health Partnerships, including Project Fusion, Acute Partnerships, and the Island Healthcare Partnership.

Discussion took place regarding personnel changes to the leadership of the IW NHS Trust. The committee received an update on 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 a copy of the Project Fusion Communication and Engagement Plan. It was requested that future reporting include data on targets and performance management in order for the effectiveness of partnerships to be assessed and scrutinised.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To consider and receive an update on the report considered by the Cabinet (at its meeting on 11 May 2023) on adult social care preparations for reform and assurance.

The Director of Adult Social Care was in attendance to present the report which was considered by the Cabinet (at its meeting on 11 May 2023), on preparations for reform and assurance in respect of the CQC’s future inspection framework for local authority adult social care services. It was noted that the topic would be subject of an informal briefing in July 2023. Questions were raised in relation to the individuals who fund their own care, and how the council prepares for the eventuality of taking over that funding should their funding reach a critical level. The committee were assured that comprehensive information on the transition of funding was available online and through frontline social workers, and it was confirmed that service users would continue to be supported regardless of the funding source.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

To be advised of any proposals relating to health and social care services affecting Island residents, and progress on those previously notified. Updates to be provided on; patient transport, dentistry commissioning, pharmacist recruitment and retention challenges, and primary care surgery loading.

The committee received a progress update on the Patient Transport Taskforce which was re?established in April 2023. It was suggested that updates on patient transport, pharmacy recruitment and retention, and primary care surgery workloads, would be provided at the next meeting of the Committee in September 2023.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

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. The chairman proposed that an update on the dementia strategy be added to the workplan for a future meeting.

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, 1 June 2023.

Cllr John Nicholson asked an oral question with regards to an issue raised by a resident regarding clinical waste collections. It was agreed that specific details would be shared outside of the meeting to be resolved.

Cllr Joe Lever asked an oral question with regards to vaping and its impact on people’s health on the Island (with particular with regard to its use as a tool to stop smoking and the casual adoption of vaping by young people). It was agreed that a written response would be sought from the Director of Public Health, and the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and Housing, Public Health and Homelessness agreed to raise the matter informally through the Cabinet.

Joanna Smith (Healthwatch Isle of Wight) asked an oral question requesting an update on future of the IW NHS Trust’s end of life care unit (Wellow Ward) following its temporary relocation for essential building works. It was advised that work was underway to establish the best location for the future of the ward.