Agenda and minutes

The following issues were reported:-

Meeting Start Time and Papers

Apologies were made for the confusion around the start time of the meeting.  This was due to the cancellation of the CfPS event which was to take place at 11.00 am that morning.  Also agenda papers had been sent out late as a result of the late arrival of reports which was due in part to the adverse weather conditions the previous week.

Personalisation Training

Members of the Panel were reminded that the Personalisation Training would be taking place on Thursday 19^th February 2009 from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm at Talbot Lane Church.

Members’ Seminar Adults with Autism in England

Members were invited to attend a Seminar in relation to Adults with Autism which was to take place on Tuesday 10^th March, 2009 in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall, commencing at 10.00 am.

Mentoring Sessions for Co-optees

Members were reminded that mentoring sessions had been arranged for co-optees on Monday 23^rd February 2009 at Talbot Lane Church commencing at 2.00 pm.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

There were no members of the public or the press present.

Steve Turnbull, Head of Public Health gave a presentation in respect of health inequalities in order to assist members of the Panel to choose a topic for the next health scrutiny review.

The presentation drew specific attention to:

• The Background
• Health Inequalities
• Comparisons
• Measures
• Personal Wellbeing

He presented members with three options based on the above for their consideration, and these were:-

• Diabetes
• Stroke
• Excess Winter Deaths

Delia Watts, Scrutiny Adviser then took members of the panel through the new methodology to be used, which had been developed by the Improvement and Development Agency for local government (IDeA) and Doncaster MBC.

The model was designed around four components which were:

• A timeframe of ten stages covering the whole process
• A diagram of the structure of the Panel Review Session which set out the structure to the review session itself,  dividing the topic area into six elements
  • Assessment of Need
  • Prevention/Lifestyle
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Self Management
  • Outcomes

And the format of the review session into four stages

o       Defining the issue

o       Actions/Interventions

o       Gap Analysis

o       Conclusions

• Pre-review Questions for Panel Members
• Generic Review Questions to be used at the Panel Review Session

The model had been developed by Doncaster Council to look at the condition of cancer and they were now planning to further test the approach by using it to look at diabetes, in March.  It was therefore suggested that any development of the model, be incorporated into the Panel’s use of it in its own scrutiny review.

A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were discussed:-

• Reference was made to the fact that in Scandinavia that excess winter deaths are not an issue.  This was queried as to why and it was confirmed that housing standards and conditions were so much more improved than in this country.  Houses were better insulated, therefore keeping people warmer.
• Whether the gap would be reduced from 15 years if diabetes was recognised earlier.  Confirmation was given that this would be reduced, however there would still be a gap to some degree.
• Whether life expectancy was greater for those people with Type 2 diabetes to those with Type 1.  It was confirmed that although their life expectancy would be greater, it would still be reduced.
• It was agreed that as social gradient was common to all three topics that this needed to be investigated.
• It was felt that computerised systems were required in doctor’s surgeries to assist GPs more when making their diagnosis.  It was suggested that this might be something which would be picked up when undertaking the review.

Resolved:- (1) That Diabetes be the health condition which the Panel would review.

(2) That the scrutiny review be started in March 2009.

(3) The following members of the Panel be nominated to sit on the review panel:

·        Councillor Hilda Jack (Chair of the Scrutiny Panel)

·        Councillor Will Blair

·        Councillor John Doyle

·        Jonathan Evans (Co-optee)

·        Councillor Frank Hodgkiss

·        Councillor Darren Hughes

·        Councillor John Turner  ...  view the full minutes text for item 226.

Christine Dickinson, Co-ordinator for the Local Involvement Network (LINk) gave a presentation in relation to set up and work of LINk.

The presentation drew specific attention to:-

• What is a LINk
• The Rotherham LINk
• Membership of the LINk
• What the Rotherham LINk would do
• Working with other local networks
• How LINk and the OSC could work together
• The capacity of the Rotherham LINk
• Workplans
• Engagement

A question and answer session ensued and the following issues were discussed:-

• There were a number of members who had not heard on the LINk and the question was raised as to how the current membership had been established.  It was confirmed that so far the membership had been drawn from a number of organisations already involved with Voluntary Action for Rotherham (VAR).  However it was now hoped that there would be more engagement with people and organisations in the community.
• It was suggested that the Area Assemblies would be an excellent way to pass on information about the LINk
• What decision making had been undertaken so far by the LINk?  The main decision had been in relation to Governance and Policies.
• Whether the LINk membership included groups who represented children and young people.  Confirmation was given that links had been made with the children’s consortium via VAR.
• How the LINk would contribute to setting Local Area Agreements and to the Rotherham Joint Strategic Needs Assessment.  This would be accomplished by working together and it was confirmed that a meeting was to take place in April to discuss work plans.
• Whether discussions had taken place with neighbouring LINks around joint working.  It was confirmed that Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humberside had met and protocols had been established.  Also contact had been made with Sheffield and protocols had been agreed in relation to use of services.

The Panel thanked Christine for her presentation and looked forward to further updates at a future meeting.

Consideration was given to the Forward Plan of Key Decisions to be made by the Cabinet Member, Strategic Director and Directors for Neighbourhoods and Adult Services.

Resolved:- That the Forward Plan of Key Decisions be noted.

This item was deferred to a future meeting.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting of the Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel held on 8^th January, 2009.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 8^th January, 2009 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Consideration was given to the minutes of meetings of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health held on 12^th and 26^th January, 2009.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health held on 12^th and 26^th January, 2009 be received and noted.