Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 30 June 2022, as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-

1.    That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 June 2022 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.

The Chair confirmed that no questions had been submitted.

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

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

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

Consideration was given to an update from Healthwatch Rotherham presented by the Community Engagement Officer in respect of recent activities and inquiries received. 23 total inquiries had been received since the last update on a range of topics including the hospital, dental, GP practices, ambulance, adult social care, mental health, and  111 services. A survey on Long COVID had been completed, garnering 48 responses. The Let’sTalk session on perinatal Mental Health had been successfully delivered to spread awareness of the support available through the Birth in Mind programme. Healthwatch Rotherham has also conducted in-person engagement campaigns throughout the Borough, speaking to people on hospital wards, visiting GP practices, etc.

In discussion, Healthwatch Rotherham was acknowledged for contribution to the scrutiny work programme in respect of oral health.

Resolved:-

1.    That the update be noted.

To receive a report and presentation from NHS England in respect of access to routine and emergency dental care.

Consideration was given to a report and presentation presented by NHS England. Background regarding dental commissioning was provided and information covering the full pathway of access to dental care through primary and secondary pathways. Information was also included around recommissioning of dental services. The Key Stakeholder Bulletin was referenced as a place this information is made available widely.

The presentation clarified that patients do not register for a dental practice. This is unlike the process for attending a GP which requires registration with a particular GP. Patients will be seen at a specific dental practice over a course of treatment, but the pandemic introduced significant difficulty, which was described. Details around national closures of dentistry practices for 3 months were provided. These closures were required by national instructions. From July 2022, GPs have been operating at 100% of activity. Infection control and national guidance have been limiting factors for dental provision.

Descriptions of services commissioned in Rotherham were provided, and an explanation of how NHS appointments are commissioned as units of dental care was also given, noting that current reforms are changing how dentists are paid to perform units of dental care. The NHS England representatives described pathways for LAC and foster carers to receive dental care.

The impact of the end of the Outbreak Management Fund in March included the end of access to out of hours and weekends NHS appointments. The extended access had provided between 400 and 600 additional appointments in Rotherham. It was noted that the remainder of the investment could not be used. It was observed that many people needing dental care had complex needs, and some practices had dropped off the list of flexible providers. The Oral Health Needs Assessment for dental is an ongoing piece of work. Existing funding would continue.

It was noted that commissioners were able to work with dental providers to use the unique skills mix of the practice with preventative measures performed by oral hygienists. This flexible approach to commissioning was outcome focused. Currently there was an expression of interest to expand wider in Rotherham. 100 practices had come forward to be part of the flexible commissioning scheme, which involves specific performance criteria and training in oral health prevention in collaboration with Health Education England and NHS England. More practices in Rotherham were expected to be added. Meanwhile, NHS England was working with Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) to help inform commissioning decisions of local authorities going forward.

NHS England representatives described the anticipated impact of the Health Equity Audit which would determine the equity of access and would lead to new commissioning decisions. A further review of services would take place ahead of the end of the contract next September, with findings coming forward and recommendations expected in autumn 2022.

It was noted that Rotherham care homes are reasonably well looked after, with one dental practice serving 16 of 34 care homes in Rotherham. A few dentists also do ad hoc work as needed for care home residents. Care  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

To consider a report in respect of the delivery of the Carers and Young Carers programmes.

Consideration was given to a report providing an update on the progress made against the Carers Strategic Framework. Following endorsement from the Health and Wellbeing Board in January 2022, various activities had been undertaken by the Council and by third sector organisations in line with the outlined strategic framework. The report and presentation identified the important role of unpaid Carers in the Borough and identified the challenges Carers face. Therefore, the Carers Strategy had been developed in partnership with colleagues across the Council, Health and the voluntary sector.

The Strategic Framework set out a vision for working with and supporting Carers, it also provided an action-focused road map for how the Place will achieve the changes directly with carers. Delivery of the actions over the next three years was described, along with the vision to continue to put Carers at the heart of the process through their direct involvement in the Borough That Cares Strategic Group.

The report also included an update in respect of the developing support offer for Young Carers. This included the Cabinet response to the recommendations from the scrutiny review of support for Young Carers. Developments in response to the recommendations were described.

In discussion, Members requested clarification of how waiting lists developed and how they are being addressed. The response from officers noted the recruitment and expansion of staff hours to be able to pick up the cases. Workforce details were provided as to how the additional hours were to be achieved in order to reduce the waiting list. Officers averred that the waiting list had resulted from difficulty closing cases during the pandemic when there was less frequent contact with the Young Carers. It was noted that the contact did not stop, but less face-to-face contact was possible. As the work involves a vulnerable cohort, the service does not close cases without having full completion of work including these necessary contacts. It was noted that a close eye is kept on the service to ensure there is resource to meet the demand. It was noted that the additional non-recurrent funding was put in place to enable the expansion of hours and training that the Barnardo’s team have undertaken. The Quarter 1 reports indicated 15 more children have been allocated. A significant number of referrals were still being seen.

Members requested clarification around timelines involved in the case study. The dates of the timeline were not known but the duration of involvement was 18 months. The wait time was 3 months, which is typical. One of the service goals was to raise awareness although greater awareness led to more referrals. This was true across all services. The case study provided information about training, education and skills, but a quantity of info had to be taken out of the case study to make it publishable to the public. 

Appreciation for development of the service offer was expressed. Members also expressed interest in the sustainment of the service and requested further details in respect of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 18.

To receive nominations for a representative to the Health, Welfare and Safety Panel for the 2022/23 municipal year.

There were no volunteers or nominations.

Resolved:-

1.    That nominations be received at the next meeting.

To consider and approve a revised outline programme of scrutiny work for municipal year 2022/23.

Consideration was given to an updated outline work programme. Scope of upcoming items was highlighted.

Resolved:-

1.    That the updated outline work programme be noted.

2.    That the governance advisor be authorised to make changes to the work programme in consultation with the Chair/Vice Chair and reporting any such changes back at 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.

There were no urgent items requiring a decision at the meeting.

The next meeting of the Health Select Commission will be held on 29 September 2022, commencing at 5pm in Rotherham Town Hall. 

Resolved:-

1.    That the next scheduled meeting be held on 29 September 2022, commencing at 5pm in Rotherham Town Hall.