Agenda and draft minutes

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

Apologies had been received from Cllrs Warren Drew and Joe Lever.

To confirm as a true record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2024.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2023 be approved.

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

No declarations were received at this stage.

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 by email to Democratic Services democratic.services@iow.gov.uk, no later than two clear working days before the meeting. The deadline for submitting a written question is Wednesday, 28 February 2024.

Mr Richard Knowles of Carisbrooke submitted a written question in relation to sharps disposals. A written response was provided (PQ 01-24). It was noted that a related matter had been raised by the committee in September 2023 seeking a permanent solution for sharps bin collections. The Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Public Health agreed to investigate the matter and determine where the responsibility lies.

A supplementary question was asked, seeking information on what patients on the Isle of Wight were expected to do with their sharps waste in the meantime if they could not obtain appropriate bins. The chairman confirmed that a written response would be sought as a matter of urgency. 

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 introduced the report which provided an overview of the progress against actions and outcomes from previous meetings. Discussion took place regarding the public question raised at the committee in September 2023 regarding compliance with accessibility standards and the ability to contact staff at the Integrated Care Board. The chairman advised that the Clinical Director of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight ICB would be contacted for a response.

RESOLVED:

THAT the progress report be noted.

To review local data on food poverty by hearing from the Isle of Wight Food Bank, Healthwatch Isle of Wight, and Newport Congregational Church.

The committee received and considered the local data on food poverty, in order to gain an understanding of the extent to which it affects local residents. Representatives of Healthwatch Isle of Wight and The Pyle Street Pantry were in attendance to give evidence of their experiences, and the committee received data from the Isle of Wight Food Bank.

Questions were raised regarding the extent to which food poverty impacted the health of the population, with respect of mental and physical health and dental issues. The committee sought details on the knock-on impact this may have on health services and the Clinical Director for the Isle of Wight at the Integrated Care Board agreed to seek data on this.

The committee sought data on the food model provisions for Island residents (in respect of both accessibility and effectiveness). The Director of Adult Social Care confirmed that the draft Anti-Poverty Strategy (including the outcomes of consultation) would be presented to the committee in 6 months’ time.

RESOLVED:

THAT the information be received and noted.

To consider an update from the Chief Executive of Mountbatten on the future of the hospice following concerns around funding.

The Chief Executive of Mountbatten was in attendance to provide information on the future of the hospice, following concerns around government funding. Attention was drawn to funding streams, population growth, and the various services offered by the charity. It was requested that the All-Party Parliamentary Group (AAPG) report on government funding for hospices be taken seriously across the whole healthcare system.

Questions were raised regarding commissioning, and how the committee could support Mountbatten in raising awareness and securing future funding. It was agreed that the committee would write to the Chief Executive of the Integrated Care Board in support of Mountbatten seeking an uplift in line with inflation and the cost of delivering services. Following discussion, it was:

RESOLVED:

THAT given that the local community funds two-thirds of Mountbatten, the committee supports Mountbatten in seeking an uplift in line with inflation and the cost of delivering services.

To review the work taking place in primary care, to monitor and improve capacity and access to services, following an Island-wide survey.

The committee received the outcomes of the Island-wide GP survey, undertaken by NHS England in 2023, to review the work taking place in primary care and to monitor and improve capacity and access to services. Representatives of the Integrated Care Board and the Primary Care Network were in attendance to present the findings, with particular respect of patient experience, ease of access, demand management, and the accuracy of recording in appointment books.

Concerns were raised regarding the survey being sent to people who had recently had an appointment (which was likely to generate positive feedback) and whether there were plans to survey those patients who have been unable to get an GP appointment or had experienced long delays.

Questions were raised regarding the return-rate of the responses to the survey, examples of best practice, and the support offered to those GP surgeries with areas of negative feedback.

Discussion took place regarding the correlation between ill health and socio-economic inequalities. It was noted that the survey did not illustrate whether demand was being met and the committee sought statistics and comparative data against areas with a similar population demographics. It was suggested that this matter be referred to the Health and Wellbeing Board to look at prevention strategies to reduce future demand on primary care.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and update be noted.

To consider any amendments to the current workplan.

Consideration was given to the committee’s work programme. It was noted that dentistry would be considered by the committee at it’s next meeting in June 2024. The committee welcomed the introduction of the dental bus however it was noted that all appointments had already been booked. Concerns were raised regarding the delivery of units of dental activity and the chairman encouraged the ICB to liaise directly with dental practices to seek solutions.

RESOLVED:

THAT the committee’s workplan be noted.

To consider the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board for 2022-23.

Consideration was given to the annual report of the Safeguarding Adults Board for 2022-23. Discussion took place regarding the benchmarking comparators, and it was noted that performance was favourable in all areas, with the exception of the high number of ‘inappropriate’ referrals made to the service.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report be noted.

To consider an update on Project Fusion and the Afton Ward pilot outcomes.

The committee received an update on the progress with the development of the new Hampshire and Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust (Project Fusion) ahead of the scheduled go-live date in April 2024. The committee received an update on the Newport Health and Wellbeing Centre and it was suggested that the committee be invited to visit the site.

The committee received the outcomes of the six-month pilot scheme which took place on the Afton Ward at St Mary’s Hospital in 2023, designed to reduce the need for mental health admission for people with dementia, to provide a safe and good quality inpatient environment on the Island, and to minimise length of stay. Questions were raised regarding the feedback received from patients, their families and carers. It was suggested that the committee be invited to visit the ward.

RESOLVED:

THAT the report and updates noted.

Questions may be asked without prior notice, but to guarantee a full reply, a question must be submitted to Democratic Services no later than 5pm, Thursday, 29 February 2024.

No questions were received.