Agenda and minutes

To confirm as a true record the minutes of the meeting held 14 September 2020.

RESOLVED:

THAT the minutes of the meeting held 14 September 2020 be confirmed.

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

Cllr Andrew Garratt declared an interest in any matters relating to the IW NHS Trust as his husband was applying to the nursing bank.

Cllr Andrew Garratt declared an interest in any matters relating to local authority care placements as relative was permanently placed in a care home.

Cllr Michael Lilley declared an interest in any matters relating to the voluntary sector, as chairman of the Isle of Wight Voluntary Sector Forum.

Cllr John Howe declared an interest as the chairman of the Patient Participation Group at West Wight Health Centre, and as the chairman of the Abbeyfield Society in Totland.

Questions must be delivered in writing or by electronic mail to democratic.services@iow.gov.uk no later than 5.00pm on Thursday, 3 December 2020. Each question must give the name and address of the questioner.

No public questions were received.

Representatives of the Island’s Residential Care, Nursing Home and Domiciliary Care Sector are invited to outline the how the pandemic has impacted upon their services. (30 minutes)

As agreed at the last meeting, representatives of the Island’s residential care, nursing home and domiciliary care sector were invited to outline the how the pandemic had impacted upon their services.

The Director of the Isle of Wight Care Partnership was in attendance to report to the committee. It was advised that the pandemic had had a huge impact on care home providers, particularly on those which experienced an outbreak. This in turn had an impact on the workforce and emerging issues now included stress and the mental wellbeing of staff. Members received an overview of additional funding and were advised that the council had been supportive of the sector and had not caused any unnecessary delays. 

Questions were raised and discussion took place regarding deaths in care homes, hospital discharge arrangements, and the economic recovery of the sector.

RESOLVED:

THAT the committee formally thanks all staff in the Island’s residential care, nursing home and domiciliary care sector for its response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

To consider any significant issues arising since the last meeting:

To receive a verbal update on Covid-19 and its implications for public health outcomes. (15 minutes)

The Director of Public Health presented a briefing note (Appendix 1) which provided an update on key public health issues.  This included an overview of Covid-19 activities, including; the current position, tier 1 allocation, testing arrangements, the track-and-trace programme, and vaccination planning. Members received an update on public health service provisions, which included developments with the smoking cessation, weight management, and drug and alcohol misuse services.

Questions were raised regarding the accessibility of lateral flow testing to enable care home visitations and concerns were raised around the substantial resources needed to deliver this at scale. It was confirmed that lateral flow testing was not entirely reliable and should therefore only be used in conjunction with other measures such as PPE and social distancing.

Discussion took place regarding planning for the long-term Covid-19 impact on wellbeing and mental health, and the Island’s tier 1 status.

Questions were raised regarding the storage and distribution of the vaccine. Members were reassured that there was the facility to store vaccines on the Island. Those first to receive the vaccine were agreed nationally by NHS England and the Clinical Chair of the IW CCG advised that the roll-out would commence from the week beginning 14 December 2020.

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To receive a verbal update on vaccination planning, and on the Mental Health Recovery Pathway Business Case, including an update on the future use of Shackleton Ward. (15 minutes)

The Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities of the IW NHS Trust delivered presentation on the mental health recovery pathway implementation plan (Appendix 2), which included an update on the future use of Shackleton Ward. Members expressed support for the plans and discussion took place regarding dementia beds and mainland placements.

The Clinical Chair of the IWCCG provided an update on primary care services and advised that they were operational and could be accessed if needed.

Concerns were raised regarding access to dental services on the Island, including; waiting lists, affordability, the availability of NHS dentists, and specialist dental services. Members thanked Healthwatch for raising the issue and agreed that this was a significant issue to be discussed at the next meeting. The Chairman agreed to escalate the concerns with NHS England.

The chairman advised that a series of concerns had been  brought to his attention through the Cowes/ Northwood Place Plan, the Community Resilience Project, and through individual experiences being relayed to local Councillors around difficulties alleged in obtaining satisfactory service from Cowes Medical Centre, which was said to be causing unnecessary stress, delay and frustration to patients. The chairman asked that the IWCCG investigate the issues. It was agreed that the IWCCG should investigate the matter and provide a written report to a future meeting of the committee.

RESOLVED:

i.      THAT the mental health recovery pathway implementation plan be supported.

ii.     THAT the concerns around dental services on the Island be escalated through the committee to NHS England and be considered by the committee at its next meeting due to be held on 1 March 2021.

iii.    THAT the IWCCG be requested to investigate the matter and provide a written report to a future meeting of the committee.

To consider an update on; performance and quality, winter preparedness, response to Covid-19, the recovery of services and key challenges, temporary change to leadership of Community Services, and staff recognition. (20 minutes)

Members considered the report on performance and quality, winter preparedness, response to Covid-19, the recovery of services and key challenges, temporary change to leadership of Community Services, and staff recognition.

The Deputy Chief Operating Officer provided a further update on outpatient activity, diagnostic imaging, winter planning, and infection control, and the Director of Nursing provided an update on the physiotherapy service. It was advised that the planned CQC visit had been postponed and no new date was scheduled.

Questions raised regarding the sustainability of the Trust and it was clarified areas of risks relate to workforce and premium services. 

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To receive a verbal update on Covid-19, the Adult Social Care Winter Plan, and to consider any performance or budget issues arising from the data included within the performance reports submitted to the Cabinet on 12 November 2020 (Quarter 2 2020-21), for services coming within the remit of the Committee. (20 minutes)

The Interim Director of Adult Social Care provided a verbal update on Covid-19. It was highlighted that staffing levels across the directorate remained within the normal range and the human resources and learning and development teams were thanked for their assistance in supporting a resilient workforce by ensuring staff had access to mental health support. Members were advised that the adult social care winter plan had been prepared in October 2020 and was available to view online. Discussion took place regarding performance and budget data included within the performance report submitted to the Cabinet on 12 November 2020 (Quarter 2 2020-21).

RESOLVED:

THAT the update be noted.

To consider the future workplan and to identify any key issues that should be included. (5 minutes)

The chairman invited all partners to forward items for possible inclusion in the workplan.

RESOLVED:

THAT the workplan be noted.

A question must be submitted by electronic mail to Democratic Services no later than 5.00pm on Friday 4 December 2020.

No member’s questions were received.