Agenda and minutes

County Councillor J. Pratt declared a personal, non-prejudicial interest in respect of her brother being a Professor of Medicine.

County Councillor J. Pratt declared a personal non-prejudicial interest for this item as her brother is a Professor of Medicine and delivers lectures.

Purpose:

A presentation was provided by the Integrated Service Manager (MCC), Integrated Project Manager (ABUHB) and Divisional Director Primary Community Care (ABUHB) introduced by the Head of Social Care, Safeguarding and Health.

Key Issues:

The Select Committee has requested a presentation from the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) to focus on the future direction of integrated working between Health and Social Care (linked to Care Closer to Home) and also plans for Chepstow Community Hospital.

Member Scrutiny:

·         A Member noted that GPs provide an important part of service delivery and commented that the plans looked over bureaucratic, and also services were not locally delivered in North Monmouthshire.  It was queried how many GPs work in the county, the local availability of Living Well Living Longer health checks to tackle obesity etc. and the average number of patients per GP.

In response, numbers of GPs will be provided following the meeting.  It was noted that there is some difficulty in recruiting GPs currently and that this strategy is beginning to improve this situation.  It was explained that patients often see a GP for matters better dealt with by others and action is being taken to direct patients to appropriate services.  It was added that, whilst the plan looks bureaucratic, the aim is to remove pressure points and provide the right integrated support at the right time.  Regarding preventative health clinics, locations in Monmouthshire will be investigated and reported back. 

·         A Select Committee Member welcomed the integrated approach but was concerned about generic all-age medical care in Chepstow Hospital and asked for an explanation of the services available in the hospital noting the likely closure of Lydney District Hospital, and the need to travel significant distances for care. In response, it was confirmed that generic services are being built up and outpatient appointments in Chepstow Hospital are being increased. It was added that previously there were community beds at the hospital and a limited range of outpatient clinics and a minor injury unit.  The community beds have closed because of the success of the integrated team allowing more people to stay at home. The number of outpatient clinics is increasing.  It is aimed to provide high volume services for people who can’t travel to other centres, in particular for older people and children.  Regarding all-age health care, it is the aim to provide all services locally for all ages.  It was clarified that the Older Adult Mental Health ward has been mothballed. 

·         A Member was encouraged by the plans described and acknowledged that there will be occasions when it is necessary to travel to access the best treatment available in the region.  The offer was made to include details of services available in pharmacies in ward newsletters to reduce demand for GP services.

·         A Member suggested hosting a surgery in the Livestock Market to target the rural community  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.

This matter was deferred until the next meeting.

Purpose:

Monmouthshire was accredited as ‘working to become dementia friendly’ in June

2015. During 2017/18 considerable progress has been made to raise awareness of dementia and encourage organisations to adopt dementia friendly practices and support people living with dementia and their carers.

Key Issues:

Progress Update

1. Ensure the right local STRUCTURE is in place to maintain a sustainable dementia friendly community.

2. Identify leads - CHAMPIONS - to take responsibility for driving forward the work to support your community to become dementia friendly.

3. Have a plan to raise AWARENESS about dementia in key organisations and businesses within the community that support people with dementia to ensure a better understanding of dementia and an appreciation of the condition awareness across Monmouthshire.

4. Develop a STRONG VOICE for people with dementia living in your communities.

This will give your plan credibility and will make sure it focuses on areas people with dementia feel are most important

5. RAISE THE PROFILE of your work to increase reach and awareness to different groups in the community

6. Focus your plans on a number of key areas that have been identified locally

7. Have in place a plan or system to UPDATE THE PROGRESS of your community after six months and one year. To participate in the recognition process you will need to set out how you intend to report on progress towards becoming dementia friendly at the six-month stage and self-assess on an annual basis.

Member scrutiny:

The Select Committee welcomed Mr. P. Diamond, Dementia Lead for the Gwent transformation team who provided a progress report on the drive to ne a dementia friendly county. Following the presentation, Members asked questions:

·         A Member queried the table of training and noted that there had been a tail off in 2017 and asked if no further training is needed or if it was due to costs.  It was responded that training is provided as required and performance against targets has surpassed expectations.  Across Wales the target of 1m people becoming dementia friends has been achieved. 

·         A Member referred to a news report of a misdiagnosis of dementia that was instead a hearing problem. 

·         The work carried out in the community and schools out was praised by a Member.  It was questioned if refresher courses are provided and responded that the Welsh Government has launched a learning and development framework called Good Works which will be used in the region.  Dementia friends training is sometimes attended a second time.  A refresher session can be delivered to Members in future if required.

·         A Member was interested in partners and asked if the list could be expanded and suggested that supermarkets could be asked to encourage other shops to become dementia friendly.  It was responded that all supermarkets have agreed to become dementia friendly and there is a keenness to work with them.  There has also been significant demand from other organisations such as building societies.

·         Level of activity in the South Monmouthshire area was queried.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10^th July 2018 were confirmed as a true record.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19^th July 2018 were confirmed as a true record.

Regarding Item 3: Older Adult Mental Health Services, it was clarified that only 4 committee members were remaining at the time of the vote and non-committee members were not entitled to vote. 

It was suggested that this topic, if considered in the future, should be the subject of a Joint Select Committee.

An update on the action list was provided by the Scrutiny Officer:

·         B&B Policy: Councillors Pratt, Brown and Woodhouse have a meeting with office staff tomorrow and will provide feedback at the next meeting.

·         Personal Data: Councillors Brown and Pratt met with officers about the personal data issue.  A report will be circulated with the next agenda.

·         Leaflets: Councillor Brown was sent copies of drafts.  It was not known if they have been distributed.

·         Reports: Provision of an executive summary on all reports is under consideration

The following items were added to the Forward Work Programme:

·         It was agreed to circulate the reports:

i) containing feedback from the Councillors’ day shadowing housing officers; and

ii) the update on My Mates,

It will be decided at the pre-meeting if these topics proceed to scrutiny at the Select Committee meeting.

·         Report on personal data

·         Deferred Revenue and Monitoring Report

The Council and Cabinet Business forward Work Programme was noted.

Tuesday 23^rd October 2018 at 10.00am.

Tuesday 23^rd October 2018 at 10.00am.