Agenda item

(To receive a report which sets out the work programmes of the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire in accordance with the Board's agreed programme)

The Board considered the work programmes of two Scrutiny Committees and the following points were noted:-

Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee

The Health Scrutiny Officer introduced the Work Programme of the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and confirmed earlier discussions that the Committee had agreed to consider the performance reports in a themed manner.  For Quarter 1 the Committee had considered Hospital Discharge and Reablement Services, for Quarter 2 the Committee had considered Carers Services and for Quarter 3 it was expected to focus on Assessments and Review of Assessments.

During discussion, the following points were noted:-

·       It was requested that the areas within Adult Social Care which were not meeting performance targets be discussed at a future meeting;

·       A suggestion was made to give consideration to the transition between childhood and adulthood following concerns raised by carers about what would happen to the individuals when they transferred over to other services.  It was agreed that this was a subject which should be referred to both the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee for joint consideration; and

·       One Member explained that a case had recently been dealt with where a care provider had not been correctly registering hours which had resulted in the individual being charged for care incorrectly.  Although this particular issue had been resolved, there was concern that this may be happening more widely.  The Health Scrutiny Officer confirmed that this had not been reported to the Committee previously but that this would be raised with the Chairman of the Adults and Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.

Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire

Councillor C S Macey, Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire, updated the Board on the work of the Committee, which met monthly.  Councillor Macey provided the following update to the Board:-

Lincoln Walk-In Centre

The Lincolnshire West CCG Governing Body had met on 29 November 2017 where a decision was made to:-

·       Continue to support the rollout of alternative provisions – Out of Hours GP access, NHS111 and CAS, community hubs, increased primary capacity across Lincs West CCG, use of local pharmacy walk-in facilities and local surgery walk-in services;

·       Adjust opening hours of the Walk-In Centre as demand and staffing dictate;

·       Further reduce demand on the Walk-In Centre through continuation of full communication and engagement plan;

·       Support the continued implementation of transitional plan to enable Walk-In Centre service to close at the end of the winter period.

The Health Scrutiny Committee was also due to consider the progress of Lincolnshire West CCG in relation to alternative provision to the Walk-In Centre at its meetings in December and February.

Grantham A&E – Overnight Closure

A decision on the overnight opening hours at Grantham A&E was expected at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust Board of Directors on 15 December 2017.  Should a particular issue require scrutiny following that decision, this would be scheduled for the January meeting of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire.

Non-Emergency patient Transport Service

On 13 December 2017 the Committee would consider an item from Thames Ambulance Service which operated the non-emergency patient transport service in Lincolnshire.  Several issues had been raised about this service and the Committee would be seeking assurance that there were plans in place for the service to improve.

During discussion, the following points were noted:-

·       The shortage of GPs and the inability to appoint locums due to the high insurance costs involved for individual GPs was noted as a concern.  It was confirmed that the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire would be asking for evidence from the NHS in relation to this issue.  It was also acknowledged that recruitment was difficult and reported that CCGs had also tried to reduce the amount of paperwork GPs must complete in order to free up approx. five appointments per day;

·       The Walk-In Centre was also triaging patients and referring to more appropriate services;

·       Although it was reported that United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust (ULHT) Board Members believed there was a workable plan to improve services, it was noted that ULHT was in double special measures and therefore NHS Improvement appeared to be driving the changes.  It was suggested that there may be a lack of accountability as a result;

·       A decision on the future of the Congenital Heart Services at Glenfield Hospital was imminent and the Chairman of the Health Scrutiny Committee for Lincolnshire would circulate the decision once received.

RESOLVED

          That the work programmes be noted and the recommendations made be taken forward by the relevant Committee as noted below:-

·         Transition – Adults & Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee and Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee; and

·         Performance (a themed approach and to also consider areas for improvement) – Adults & Community Wellbeing Scrutiny Committee.