Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the Adult Services and Health Scrutiny Panel of the new municipal year.

She welcomed new members Councillor Jo Burton and Councillor Brian Steele, who was the new Vice-Chair.  She wished to place on record her thanks to Councillor Colin Barron, who had previously held the position of Vice-Chair for his contribution to the Panel, together with thanks to Councillor Darren Hughes who was no longer a member of the panel for his past contribution to the work of the Panel.

No declarations of interest were made at the meeting.

There were no members of the public and press present.

Councillor Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care gave a presentation in respect of the Service priorities for 2010/11 and beyond.

The presentation drew specific attention to:-

• Adult Social Care – Performance
• Major Achievements
• Customer Achievements
• The Year Ahead
• Significant Challenges
• The New Government – New Challenges

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

• A request was made for an explanation to be given of the meaning of personalisation and how it worked in practice.  It was confirmed that service users were now given choice and control over their care packages.  They would be given a choice of how their need could be met and the funding to control who they received the service from.
• Reference was made to a service which was provided in Sheffield in respect of palliative care in the home for people who were coming to the end of their life.  It was suggested that this would be good practice for Rotherham
• Reference was made to the Emergency Care Scheme which had recently been introduced.  A member reported that he had recently joined the scheme as a carer, because it gave peace of mind that his wife would be cared for should anything happen to him. He thought it was an excellent scheme.

Andy Buck, Chief Executive for NHS Rotherham gave a presentation in relation to the NHS Rotherham Strategy “Better Health, Better Lives”.

The presentation drew specific attention to:-

• Annual Health Check
• Financial Standing
• Ambitions
• Transformation Initiatives
• Financial Outlook
• GP Expenditure per patient
• GP Referrals to Rotherham Foundation Trust
• Emergency admissions for ambulatory care sensitive conditions
• Interqual
• What is the Rotherham Challenge?
• Refreshed Strategy
• Adding Quality and Value
• Efficiency Challenge
• System Efficiency
• Shaping Our Future
• Places and People Changing
• Identifying and meeting unmet need.

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

• Reference was made to the £2m in reserve and a question was raised as to whether some of this would be used towards the purchase of a new scanner.  It was confirmed that the money would be used for a variety of things, but it was not clear whether the scanner would be one of those.  Andy Buck agreed to check the position in respect of this.
• The presentation highlighted that there was a £2.4m saving expected in respect of management.  Concerns were raised as to how this would work in practice and whether it would affect services provided.  It was confirmed that when this was first announced there was a freeze on recruitment, whilst awaiting the result of the election.  It was now anticipated that work would be undertaken to restructure the current management set up.  However as management were not responsible for the provision of services it was not felt that this would have any major impact.
• Reference was made to the £19.4m savings in respect of the Strategic Investment Fund balance and it was queried as to whether this money was earmarked for anything.  It was confirmed that the money would be drawn down over the next 3-4 years.
• Reference was made to GP contracts and how these were negotiated.  It was confirmed that these were negotiated nationally and would be subject to re-negotiation.  All surgeries in Rotherham open their core hours with the out of hours service being provided by Care UK.
• Concerns were raised about the potential for a budget deficit and what steps would be taken to reduce this risk.  Andy Buck confirmed that steps were being taken to identify conditions early and therefore reach solutions early which would have a positive impact on the budget and reduce costs to the NHS.
• A discussion took place around the cost of prescriptions and Members raised concerns about the number of people who received medication, particularly on repeat prescriptions, which they didn’t really need.  A query was raised as to whether the issue of prescription drugs was monitored in any way.  Confirmation was given that some pharmacists do probe as to whether it is necessary for a patient to receive their medication on the prescription every time.  More pharmacists were being urged to take this approach.
• Reference was made to war veterans and a query was raised as to whether they were being given priority.  Andy Buck was fairly confident that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Consideration was given to the Adult Services and Health Panel Draft Work Programme for 2010/11.

Resolved:- That the information be noted.

Consideration was given to “Fulfilling and Rewarding Lives” which is the Government’s first ever strategy for adults with autism in England.

The strategy was published on 3^rd March 2010 and the key action included:-

• Improved training of frontline professionals in autism
• The recommendation to develop local autism teams
• Actions for better planning and commissioning of services, including involving people with autism and their parents/carers
• Actions for improving access to diagnosis and post-diagnosis support
• Leadership structures at national, regional and local levels for delivery
• Proposals for reviewing the strategy to make sure that it is working

Resolved:- That the content of the strategy be noted.

Consideration was given to the Yorkshire and the Humber Renal Network Renal Services Strategy 2009-2014.

Resolved:- That the content of the document be noted.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meeting of the Panel held on 1^st April 2010 be approved as a correct record for signature by the Chair.

Resolved:- That the minutes of the meetings of the Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care held on 22^nd March, 12^th April and 26^th April 2010 be noted and received.