Agenda and draft minutes

No declarations of interest were made.

Members of the public Mr. A. Braund and Cllr. S. Dovey were present at the meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 14^th June 2017 were confirmed as a true record.

·         Area Grant Applications: The Clerk had made some enquiries about the area grant application forms that queried at the last meeting in respect of Shirenewton Recreation Hall and Mathern Athletic Club and reported that there are no records of application forms being received, unfortunately. 

By way of an update for future applicants, it was advised that arrangements for making an application for area funds are currently held in abeyance whilst the outcome of the Community and Partnership Development restructure is decided and consequently, it is likely to be several months before a new application process, with new criteria, is available.

The response was noted.

·         Traffic issues: It was agreed to invite a member of the Highways team to the next meeting. 

4.1       The Area Committee welcomed Mr. N. Wood, Chief Operating Officer, Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB).  Some questions were         submitted prior to the meeting.

4.2       It was explained that the Clinical Futures Strategy sets out to develop health           services in the Gwent region by delivering most care close to home, by creating a network of local hospitals providing routine diagnostic and treatment services and by centralising specialist and critical care services in a purpose built Specialist and Critical Care Centre (SCCC).  Building the 447 bed SCCC has commenced and will open in 2021 and a series of local district local hospitals will then provide a clear model regarding management of ill health. 

4.3       Progress so far has seen the building of Ysbytty Aneurin Bevan (Ebbw Vale) and Ysbytty Ystrad Fawr which consolidates the former North Gwent Community Hospitals.  It is now necessary to plan how best to use Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny and Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport as local general hospitals.

4.4       In terms of Primary Care (Care closer to home), it was explained that there are 12 Neighbourhood Care Networks (NCN) in the Gwent area with one in North Monmouthshire and one in South Monmouthshire.  The NCNs develop local plans to deliver local care, including at local hospitals e.g. Chepstow and Monnow Vale hospitals; an arrangement that will allow local GPs a greater say in developments to deliver models of care closer to home.  It is hoped to all elements operational by the time the SCCC opens in 2021.

4.5       It was questioned how these plans have been communicated to residents and responded that the strategic plan was partially driven through the Welsh Government Primary Care Plan in Wales explaining that the Clinical Futures Strategy was consulted upon in 2009 and scrutinised by the Community Health Council.  Since that time it was stated that plans are regularly communicated and consulted upon.  The example was provided of the local consultation undertaken regarding the move to specialise in breast services in Ysbytty Ystrad Fawr.  The Area Committee was reminded of the work of the Public Service Board which considers health policy, the Wellbeing of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 and the Social Services and Wellbeing Act 2014.

4.6       The Committee were advised that there is a workforce crisis and lack of GPs in Gwent (common to the rest of Wales) and this is placing pressure on primary care services.  A task force has been set up to address this issue which is particularly challenging in North Caerphilly, Blaenau Gwent and Torfaen.  It was commented that South Monmouthshire is not too bad in comparison and recruitment has been mainly successful with only one vacancy currently.

4.7       More information was provided that in the region there are 200 nurse, and 40 Junior and Middle Tier hospital doctor vacancies.  In Monmouthshire, there is a significant shortfall of domiciliary care with an outcome that some care packages are not available with a consequence that some patients have to stay in nursing homes or hospitals  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.