Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 25 November 2021 as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-

1.    That the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2021 be approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive questions relating to items of business on the agenda from members of the public or press who are present at the meeting.

There were no questions contributed by members of the public in respect of any items on the agenda.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

The Chair confirmed there was no reason to exclude members of the public or press from observing any items on the agenda.

To receive a joint presentation in respect of demand management and surge planning for winter 2021-22.

Consideration was given to an update presentation in respect of progress against objectives outlined in the 2021/22 Winter Plan. The presentation included updates on successes and challenges associated with delivery of health and social care provision during the Omicron surge. The presentation was provided by the Executive Place Director representing Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as well as the Deputy COO of The Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust (TRFT).

In discussion, Members expressed interest in more information around how the delivery of the vaccination scheme may have created pressure on primary care provision. The response from the CCG representative described strategic government directives that had allowed routine work in primary care to be put on hold temporarily. Sustainability of the primary care programme was identified as an area of ongoing effort.

Members also asked how staff sickness had been managed in view of changing guidelines around isolation periods for staff. The response from the CCG representative noted the variation in interpretation and application of changing guidelines across primary care services during the pandemic, but certainly movement to 5 days will have helped pressures. The representative of TRFT described a significant previous peak relative to current much lower numbers of staff sickness due to COVID-19. 

Further detail was requested around impact of the pandemic on cancer care, elective care. The response from the TRFT representative described waits at the peak of the pandemic in Wave 1 and identified the significantly lower current position, which places the Trust among the leaders in the local ICS in terms of recovery. The response noted that all urgent cancers had been treated. The Trust had been identified at one point as the most improved Trust in terms of elective care recovery, with a current position at around 80%.

Members noted the positive uptake of the Rotherhive programme and requested further information around mental health provision, specifically in respect of discharge planning, mental health support for primary care, surge planning for young people’s mental health, and mental health support for staff. The response from the CCG representative noted the challenges during recent times of higher demand associated with provision of beds, discharge support, and placements outside the Borough which are challenges on acute as well as mental health pathways. In view of rising mental health presentation in the system, examples of strategic interventions and signposting services were identified, such as Rotherhive, which implement digital modes of provision to increase capacity. The digital offer for children and young people had included the introduction of an online resource platform known as Kooth. Challenges around eating disorders were described, and measures designed to bolster capacity were identified. With regard to the support for staff, the representative of TRFT outlined a range of wellbeing support measures that had been implemented since the beginning of the pandemic and highlighted the importance the Trust places on collecting staff feedback. Response rates to staff surveys had been the highest recorded at the Trust, 8% over the peer average.

Clarification was requested around the rate  ...  view the full minutes text for item 56.

To receive a report from Yorkshire Sport Foundation in respect of a recent review of physical activity.

Consideration was given to a report identifies a direction of travel for the Council and partners across Rotherham (Place). In keeping with Health Select Commission’s commitment to prevention and to tackling Health Inequalities, this review suggested potential work across the Place that feeds into these priorities. This report had been recently presented to the Health and Wellbeing Board and was presented to the Commission for information as well as consultation – effectively to bring Health Select Members into ongoing discussions around physical activity as a key facet of the prevention agenda.

In discussion, Members expressed interest in good practice that had been observed in respect of physical activity initiatives and whether expansion of social prescribing of physical activity might be explored. The response from the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health noted that good practice had been collected initially but these efforts were interrupted by the pandemic and would resume. In respect of social prescribing, Voluntary Action Rotherham (VAR) had brought primary care link officers into post before the pandemic, and limited commissioned pathways would be expanded. The prevention pathway being developed would go beyond the Council’s statutory services.

Members expressed interest in how street pride and regeneration and environment could help ensure outdoor environments are safe for physical activity. Further details were also requested around how Make Every Contact Count (MECC) would be leveraged to help promote physical activity. The response from the Cabinet Member indicated that liaison with Regeneration and Environment would be undertaken, and in respect of using primary care appointments to promote physical activity, liaison with Primary Care Networks would be undertaken as well. The Director of Public Health provided more detail about areas that those liaisons would explore and the associated potential responsibilities of partners.

Members requested more information around what could be done to further opportunities for low-cost access for young people to various physical activities that reflect their interests. The Cabinet Member identified examples of externally funded activities that had been popular, but limited, and the desire to expand these into other areas of the Borough. The value of life-long physical activities and focus on early years was noted as well as the range of possibilities. There is continued work to be done with schools and around safe active routes to and from schools.

Members emphasised possible improvements that could improve access to green spaces, including curb cuts, expanded paved footpaths, and incentives for Rothercard holders. The response from the Cabinet Member noted referral pathways into certain services. The Director of Public Health noted the intention to bring in colleagues from Regeneration and Environment to join in future discussions on physical activity.

Members also noted the possibility to magnify small investments by leveraging existing relationships within communities. The response from the Cabinet Member noted a range of links with other directorates such as housing and planning around the expectations on planners to design in green spaces in all plans for large estate developments. The goal of the joint work would be  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To receive a verbal update in respect of recent activities by Rotherham Healthwatch.

Consideration was given to a verbal update in respect of recent activities by Rotherham Healthwatch.

To consider and approve the updated schedule of scrutiny work.

Consideration was given to an updated schedule of scrutiny work for the municipal year 2021/22.

Resolved:-

1.    That the updated work programme be noted.

2.    That authority be delegated to the Governance Advisor to make changes to the work programme in consultation with the Chair and Vice-Chair and to report changes to the next meeting for endorsement.

To consider any item(s) which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair confirmed there was no urgent business to be decided at the meeting.

The next meeting of the Health Select Commission will be held on 24 February 2022, commencing at 5 pm in Rotherham Town Hall. 

The Chair announced the next meeting of Health Select Commision would take place 24 February, 2022, commencing at 5 pm in Rotherham Town Hall.