Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from the Chair, Councillor Armand Watts, Councillor Jill Bond, Councillor Dale Rooke and Councillor Malcolm Lane, who was being substituted by Councillor Louise Brown.

Councillor Penny Jones declared a non-prejudicial interest as an independent member of the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Councillor Alistair Neill also declared a non-prejudicial interest as he works for NHS Wales.

Our Scrutiny Committee meetings are live streamed and a link to the live stream will be available on the meeting page of the Monmouthshire County Council website 

If you would like to speak under the Public Open Forum at an upcoming meeting you will need to give three working days’ notice in advance of the meeting by contacting Scrutiny@monmouthshire.gov.uk 

The amount of time afforded to each member of the public to speak is at the Chair’s discretion, but to enable us to accommodate multiple speakers we ask that contributions be no longer than 3 minutes. 

Alternatively, if you would like to submit a written, audio or video representation, please contact the team via the same email address to arrange this. The deadline for submitting representations to the Council is 5pm three clear working days in advance of the meeting. If combined representations received exceed 30 minutes, a selection of these based on theme will be shared at the meeting. All representations received will be made available to councillors prior to the meeting. 

 
If you would like to suggest future topics for scrutiny by one of our Scrutiny Committees, please do so by emailing Scrutiny@monmouthshire.gov.uk  

No public present.

Lloyd Hambridge (ABUHB) provided an update to the committee on dentistry, focussing in particular on the following:

• Organization Overview: Lloyd introduced Health Education and Improvement Wales, emphasizing their role in developing the future workforce for the health sector.
• Dental Strategic Workforce Plan: He discussed the collaborative effort in creating the Dental Strategic Workforce Plan, involving health boards, dental professionals, and other stakeholders. This plan aligns with the government's policy direction for health and social care in Wales.
• Focus Areas: He explained the plan primarily focuses on general dental services but also highlights the wider dental workforce, including community dental services.
• Sustainable Solutions: Lloyd mentioned the aim to provide sustainable solutions for the dental workforce in Wales, making NHS terms and conditions attractive for dental practitioners and developing community networks called dental collaboratives.
• Primary Care Academy: He also mentioned the Primary Care Academy's role in developing and maintaining the workforce, including dental teams.

Lloyd subsequently answered Members’ questions together with Rachel Prangley (ABUHB).

 Key Questions raised by Members: 

• An update on dentistry for children and those on low incomes was requested and whether the waiting times were improving.

Lloyd provided detailed statistics on the number of children seen by dental services, mentioning that 77,000 children had been seen since April 2024, with a total of 94,000 in the previous year. He also discussed the Design to Smile program, which includes tooth brushing and fluoride varnish activities in schools, focusing on deprived areas.Specific services are also provided for vulnerable groups, including children in special schools, adults with learning disabilities, and those affected by substance misuse.

• An update was sought on the countrywide health of the population.

Lloyd explained that a population needs assessment is being conducted to support service delivery, including dental services. He offered to share more detailed information and links to the relevant data.

• In view of population increase, with newly qualified dentists being mostly female, expecting that some will leave for maternity leave and return to work part-time, what specific steps are being taken to address declining workforce to ensure long-term retention and job satisfaction for dentists?

Lloyd advised that Health Education and Improvement Wales, in collaboration with health boards, dental professionals, and other stakeholders have developed the Dental Strategic Workforce Plan. The plan aims to provide sustainable solutions for the future of the dental workforce in Wales, focusing on general dental services and the wider dental workforce, including community dental services. He advised that efforts are being made to make NHS terms and conditions attractive to dental practitioners, considering the competition from private dentistry and that community networks called dental collaboratives are being developed to support practitioners.  He also advised that the Primary Care Academy within Aneurin Bevan University Health Board is working to develop and maintain the dental workforce, addressing the needs of dental teams. 

• In terms of the new health centre at Osbaston, are you considering putting a dental service in there?

Lloyd advised that currently, there are no plans to include a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 4.

The minutes were approved as a true and accurate record.

Work Programme Discussion Summary:

• Police and Crime Commissioner:   Efforts are being made to secure a date for discussing police resources for the county. This might require a special meeting due to scheduling difficulties.
• Health Board Topics: There is an extensive list of topics for discussion with the Aneurin Bevan University Health Board. Some topics might be covered via briefing papers, while others, like adult mental health and dementia services, may require special meetings.
• Together Work Service in Caldicot: Members were advised that Councillor Bond had requested an urgent special meeting to discuss the closure of this service. The committee agreed to give further consideration to this request and canvas the views of committee members on whether to organise a special meeting.
• Flood Risk: This topic was regarded more pertinent to the Place Scrutiny Committee, but members of this committee will be invited to attend when it is discussed.
• Vaccination Services: Concerns were raised about the availability of vaccination services in certain areas, suggesting the need for a more consistent approach. This would be raised with the health board via the updates already requested.

The discussion highlighted the need for flexibility in scheduling special meetings when necessary.

Noted.

7^th April 2025 at 10.00am