Agenda and minutes

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7 October 2021 as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-

1.    That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 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.

Cllr Baker-Rogers declared a personal interest in relation to Agenda Item 6, as a family member was a service user.

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

To receive an update report in respect of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS).

Consideration was given to an update report on Rotherham Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) – Annual Update to Health Select Commission which provided a further update regarding the Local Area SEND inspection in association with children and young people’s mental health, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on children and young people’s mental health, and on progress in relation to implementing the re-designed neuro-developmental pathway and phase 3 of the SEND sufficiency strategy.

In discussion, clarification was requested around digital services Kooth and Healios. The response from partners indicated the differences in Kooth as an anonymous online platform for low-level signposting and advice versus Healios which is an assessment-focused pathway to assistance for young people with ADHD and Autism. There are robust criteria whereby not all children can be referred through Healios, but if cases are complex or involve safeguarding issues, these cases stay within CAMHS.

Members expressed interest in the investments that had been made recently in the service to attempt to manage caseloads and waiting lists. The response from officers, the Cabinet Member, and partners identified the plans that had been in place before the pandemic to whittle down the waitlist whilst keeping up with current demand for assessments. The pandemic had resulted in an increase in demand, so the waitlist had not been growing but had not diminished in the timeframe planned. More resource had been worked into the system, but as for specific numbers, these could not be shared in the meeting. A new referral pathway had been designed based on the current numbers and rates whereby the waiting list could again be eradicated, in part by reducing the number of inappropriate referrals. The Cabinet Member noted the use of Containment Outbreak Management Funds in the service of CAMHS, although the cases of Tier 4 mental health issues are funded centrally by what has been formerly known as Public Health England rather than from place funds.

Members requested clarification as to whether these pathways were the primary pathways for CSE survivors. The response from partners identified that for CSE survivors, specific, diverse consultation methods and advice models were in use, and trainings and advice were provided in respect of CSE. The Cabinet Member also noted in respect of reviewing the effectiveness of the pathway redesign, that the Rotherham Parent Carer Forum is consulted on a regular basis and was involved the recent SEND inspection. The Cabinet Member stressed the importance of multiple partnership working for maximum effectiveness.

Members also sought assurances that the service had been able to recruit and retain the sufficient staff with the right skills to meet the need. Partners provided details around recent successful recruitment campaigns and workforce strategy which sought to retain trainees, psychologists, and social workers. When occasionally there were pressures and shortages, these were often in respect of the neurodevelopmental pathway, and periods of challenges in recruiting did sometimes occur.

Clarification was requested around average waiting times for assessments versus the target wait time. The response  ...  view the full minutes text for item 44.

To receive a Public Health report in respect of prevention-led systems.

Consideration was given to a report outlining some of the key challenges and opportunities in Rotherham in relation to the prevention agenda. It also provided an update on activity taking place to produce a Prevention and Health Inequalities Strategy for Rotherham, presenting an opportunity for Health Select Commission to feed into the development of this strategy.

In discussion, Members requested additional information around access to primary care and hesitation of residents to go to the GP. The response from officers and the Cabinet Member noted that some hesitation is related to changes in access to care during the pandemic, and some hesitation can be reduced by changing appointments to a more suitable date. Whereas previously a patient may have sought early access to care, now patients wait for a change in their needs or their health. It is important to get treatment at an early stage however. There has been improved efforts to reach into communities with better communication and engagement, for example, taking health checks to people, such as offering lung checks in car parks, etc.

Members also requested additional information regarding what prevention is available before a patient enters the cardiac pathway or multiple pathways. The response indicated that frailty assessments were conducted as were mental and physical health checks and checks for chronic disease. Details were provided around the provision of annual health checks, and how fewer healthy people were receiving health checks during the pandemic. The data generated from GPS in terms of various conditions were useful for prevention intelligence. Work was being done around communication of early signs, because people who were seeing early signs in their 30s and 40s could be experiencing disease in their 50s and 60s. Likewise, childen’s behaviour can indicate vulnerability to early onset.

Members expressed curiosity if it was the view that there would be an improvement. The response predicted a decline for the next 2 to 3 years. Smoking, however, was a measure that had actually improved during the pandemic.

Members also wished to know about substantive prevention efforts that had been ongoing. The response from the Cabinet Member noted the recent work over the past 4 to 5 years to feed into housing standards and licensing, controlling air quality and pollution, maintaining two services for drugs and alcohol treatment and recovery, thwarting a fast food outlet being opened within a few meters of a school, strengthening links with culture and leisure to improve peace of mind and physical health. Work had also been doing in respect of the 5 ways of wellbeing and refreshing the obesity programme. Ultimately, prevention comes down to choices but providing activities and strategies was a key part. A further response from the Director of Public Health noted that the COVID-19 vaccination programme was the largest scale prevention programme that had been delivered and that early identification screenings for hypertension had also been strengthened. More BAME women were receiving maternity care, and more people with chronic mental illness were receiving testing whilst receiving  ...  view the full minutes text for item 45.

To receive findings and recommendations from the spotlight review on Rotherham Community Hub and the impact of its befriending service on loneliness and isolation during the pandemic.

Consideration was given to a summary of findings and recommendations from the 13 September 2021 spotlight review on the befriending service and support for loneliness and isolation provided by the Rotherham Community Hub during the pandemic.

Resolved:-

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That the excellent work of Rotherham Community Hub be commended, especially in respect of the befriending service which helped relieve loneliness and isolation throughout the pandemic.

3.    That Members be encouraged to add the Community Hub to their ward priorities and e-bulletins to better support vulnerable residents and families.

4.    Whereas the current Community Hub model is due to end in March 2022, should there be a further evolution of the Community Hub model, that an update be brought in 12 months’ time.

To receive findings and recommendations from the spotlight review on young carers.

Consideration was given to a summary of findings and recommendations from the 22 October 2021 spotlight review on support for young carers.

Resolved:-

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That action plans and performance metrics be supplied as part of the next update in 6 months’ time.

3.    That the next update include a plan to address the current data gap in respect of young carers who mature into adult carers, with a view to providing the best preparation possible and making this transition as seamless as possible for young carers who may continue to have caring responsibilities into adulthood.

4.    That consideration be given to how best to provide additional support to young carers seeking to access employment skills, education, and training.

To receive a verbal update from Rotherham Healthwatch.

Consideration was given to a verbal update from Rotherham Healthwatch in respect of recent and upcoming activities.

To receive an updated scrutiny work programme for the 2021/22 municipal year.

Consideration was given to an updated work programme and schedule for the 2021/22 municipal year. Three changes were noted. First, based on a change in government requirements for this year, Members were not being approached with a request to review half-year quality accounts. Also, the agenda for January would include an item on the Strategic value of Physical Activity in Tackling Health Inequalities. Finally, the next request for participants in a spotlight review would be for the Adult Social Care Outcomes Framework (ASCOF) performance review in mid-January. Members were invited to make representations if they wished to participate.

Resolved:

1.    That the updated 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 was no urgent business requiring a decision at the meeting.

The next meeting of the Health Select Commission will be held on 13 January 2022, commencing at 5pm in Rotherham Town Hall. 

The Chair announced the next meeting of Health Select Commission would be held on 14 January 2022, commencing at 5 pm in Rotherham Town Hall.