Venue: Council Chamber, Runcorn Town Hall. View directions
Contact: Lynn Derbyshire on 0151 471 7389 or e-mail lynn.derbyshire@halton.gov.uk
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Minutes Minutes: The Minutes of the meetings held on 23 August 2011 and 13 September 2011having been printed and circulated were signed as a correct record. |
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Public Question Time PDF 27 KB Minutes: The Board was advised that no public questions had been received. |
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Additional documents: Minutes: The Minutes of the Health Strategic Partnership Board of its meeting held on 14 July 2011 were submitted to the Board for consideration. RESOLVED: That the minutes be noted. |
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Redesign of Community Nursing Services PDF 21 KB Minutes: The Board received a presentation
from Mr D Tanner, Head of Commissioning, NHS Halton and The presentation:- · Explained the background to the redesign and re-specification of the services; · Highlighted the reasons why change was required i.e. o There were multiple specifications; o Perceived disconnection between General Practice and community nursing teams; o Increasing potential for duplication and overlap; o Artificial boundaries leading to multiple visits; and o A recognition that there were opportunities to develop a more holistic approach; · Gave details of the Integrated Nursing Team i.e it would comprise of district nurses, community matrons, treatment rooms, phlebotomy and practice nurses and would focus on practice population and be based in GP practices wherever possible; ·
Explained that there would be four teams in Runcorn,
and four teams in · outlined the changes for patients i.e. o A more holistic approach – potentially fewer visits / appointments; o 24/7 service; o A single point of contact; and o Greater consistency; and · Highlighted how the redesign of the service fitted into future developments i.e. o The foundation for integrated Community Multidisciplinary Teams – including social care; o with current integration plans and developments in Halton; and o with Pro-Active Care |model (Mersey Cluster PCT), home based holistic are, managing long term conditions, reducing unplanned admissions and reducing re-admissions. The Board welcomed the report and noted the numerous benefits for patients having an individual identified as their single point of contact to meet their care requirements. The Board also noted that a wider team was available should there be any difficulties such as a breakdown in the relationship between the patient and nurse or covering sickness absence. RESOLVED: That (1) the presentation and comments raised be noted: and (2) Mr D Tanner and Mr D Lyon be thanked for their informative presentation. |
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Note: (Councillor M
Lloyd Jones declared a Personal Interest in the following item of business due
to her husband being a Non Executive Director of Halton & St Helens Primary
Care Trust.) |
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Learning Disability Partnership Board – Annual Self Assessment Report 2010/11 PDF 23 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Board considered a report of
the Strategic Director, Communities which presented Members with the Valuing People Now:
Partnership Board Annual Self Assessment Report 2010-11 and outlined the
process involved in its completion. The Board was further advised that the Partnership
Board Annual Self Assessment Report was an optional requirement for all
Learning Disability Partnership Boards to complete in order to determine
progress on implementing Valuing People Now. The Board was further advised that in the It was reported that Halton’s Self Assessment
had been completed by relevant officers of the Council and senior managers of
NHS Halton & St Helens. In addition, members of the Partnership Board,
including senior officers, Elected Members, people with learning disabilities
and family carers have had the opportunity to comment on and amend the report
prior to its formal sign off by the Co-Chairs, and representatives for family
carers and adults with learning disabilities. In conclusion, it was reported that the self
assessment had been submitted to the Learning Disabilities Observatory by the
29th July deadline and a copy was attached as Appendix 1 to the
report. The Board noted that to support the progress of
Valuing People Now, commissioning responsibility for non health related services
transferred from the PCT to the Council in April 2009. In addition, from April 2011, the funding for
these services had passed directly to the Council as the non-ring fenced Learning
Disability Health Reform Specific Grant.
It was also noted that although the funding was not ring fence and efficiency
saving would have to be made, the same level of service would have to be provided. The Board also noted that to improve access
to information and to share best practice reports could be published on the Learning
Disability Observatory funded by the Department of Health to collect information
on the health and care of people with learning disabilities at www.ihal.org.uk. RESOLVED: That the report and comments raised
be noted. |
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Caring for our Future: Shared ambitions for care and support’ Consultation PDF 54 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which provided Members with an overview of the Governments ‘Caring for our Future: Shared ambitions for care and support’ document. The Board was advised that on 15 September 2011, the Government launched ‘Caring for our Future: Shared ambitions for
care and support’ which was an engagement with people who used care and
support services, carers, local councils, care providers, and the voluntary
sector regarding the priorities for improving care and support. The Board was further advised that Caring for our Future
was an opportunity to bring together the recommendations from The Law
Commission, The Commission on the Funding of Care and Support and The
Government's Vision for Adult Social Care.
It was reported that the recommendations from these
Commissions would be used as a basis for exploring what the priorities for
reform should be and the Board were invited to comment on the consultation to
inform these future discussions. In
addition, it was reported that the Government had identified six areas where
they believed there was the biggest potential to make improvements to the care
and support system and which were highlighted in the report. As part of Caring
for our Future, the Government also wanted to hear people’s views on the
recommendations made by the Commission on Funding of Care and Support and how
these proposals should be assessed, including in relation to other potential
priorities for improvement. The Commission’s recommendations presented a range
of options, including the level of a cap and the contribution that people made
to living costs in residential care, which could help to manage the system and
its costs. Furthermore, it was reported that as this was such an
important issue for the Local Authority and its partners, in relation to the
future provision of Adult Social Care, Halton wished to submit a local response
to the consultation exercise and as such Halton Council Social Care Divisional Managers,
Commissioners, Workforce Development staff, Key Health Stakeholders (5 Borough
Partnership, Hospitals, PCT and Public Health), Domiciliary Care and
Residential Care providers and Registered Housing Providers had been invited to
comment on the consultation questions. In addition, it was reported that opportunities had also
been taken to raise the consultation with partners during events/meetings that
were already scheduled e.g. the Health Partnership Board which had been held on
13th October 2011. A full list of consultation questions were set out in
Appendix 1 to the report. Further more,
the Board was advised that a report on the response would be presented to the Executive
Board at its 1 December 2011 meeting. The Board noted the financial implications and the potential challenges the Council faced as a result of the White Paper which would be published in Spring 2012 and which was set out in paragraphs 5.1 – 5.4 of the report. In addition concern was raised regarding the extension of contracts in light of the potential changes. It was reported that contracts ... view the full minutes text for item 34. |
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Adult Social Care Customer Care Report for the year 1 April 2010 to 31 Mar 2011 PDF 68 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of
the Strategic Director, Communities which provided an analysis of complaints, compliments and other enquiries
processed under The Local Authority Social Services and National Health Service
Complaints ( The Board was advised that the new complaints approach replaced a 3 stage process – an initial investigation and response, a detailed Stage 2 independent investigation and, where requested, a Stage 3 Review Panel hearing, to review the Stage 2 investigation. This had been replaced by a format where, right at the start, the Customer Care Team works with the person making the complaint to agree the details of the complaint and what would resolve it. At that point, how it was to be handled and the likely timescales, taking into account complexity and complainant’s availability etc, were explored and agreed, although they could be further negotiated as required. The Board was further advised
that the new procedures allowed more
flexibility, focusing on getting the right outcome rather than satisfying any
defined process or timescale; which were now negotiated and agreed with the
complainant. It was found through evolving experience, that this approach was
more person centred and encouraged greater flexibility
in approach in finding solutions to complaints (e.g. mediation). However, it was reported that a 2 stage approach
was sometimes still appropriate, with the second stage being invoked where it
became apparent that a more detailed investigation was required, which may
still be investigated by an independent person, or a more complex alternative
solution explored (e.g. through detailed
mediation or including other agencies).
As Stage 2 complaints were still employed, the had
been reported separately in the report. It was reported that there had been 54 Statutory
Complaints closed at Stage 1 in the year, showing an increase of eight
from the previous year. Of those 54
there were four that had progressed to Stage 2. Of the 54 Statutory Social Care Complaints, 20 (37%) were upheld and 17
(31%) were partially upheld and 32% were not upheld. The categories of these complaints were set
out in the report. In respect of Stage 2
complaints there had been 4. One an investigation had been undertaken by an
Independent Investigator with the other 3 being conducted internally by Senior
Managers. Three of these Stage 2 complaints had been partially upheld and one
had been completely upheld. In addition, it was reported that the complaints system had been evaluated by
asking people how satisfied they were with the way their complaint was handled.
Of those who replied 82% were satisfied with
both the response and outcome of their complaint compared to 65% and 55%
respectively in the preceding year. In conclusion, it was reported that compliments had been received across a broad range of service areas. The following list were examples of some of the compliments received:- · “Thanks for the caring thoughtful understanding care given by team members after her discharge from ... view the full minutes text for item 35. |
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Quality Assurance of Commissioned Services PDF 39 KB Additional documents: Minutes: The Board considered a report of the Strategic Director, Communities which informed Members of the role of the Quality Assurance of Commissioned Services. The Board was advised that in accordance with
its statutory duties Members of the Council carried out Inspections on
registered Council establishments. The Board was further advised that at the present time these visits were
conducted by Cllr Mike Hodgkinson and Cllr Pamela Wallace. However, Councillors
Ellen Cargill, Stan Parker and Geoff Zygadllo were currently completing an
induction to carry out Inspections on Council establishments. In addition, it was
reported that Members would be required to undertake a CRB check and training before
carrying out inspections. It was reported that visits to the Council establishment Oak Meadow, Furthermore, it was highlighted that the Residential Care Homes and
Domiciliary Care Agencies were registered with CQC, the statutory body charged
with regulation of registered residential and nursing care services. However,
it was the responsibility of the Communities Directorate to commission local
services and a significant part of that role was the quality assurance of
services delivered within the Authority. The report set out the role of Halton’s Quality Assurance Team and highlighted that in Halton there are currently 201
commissioned services across Adult Social Care, including 29 registered
Residential Care Homes, 12 Registered Domiciliary Care Providers and 58
registered Supported Living services, 7 registered Adult Placements, 2
registered Respite Services and 1 Community Enablement Service. It was also reported that the Quality
Assurance Team used a
wide range of quantitative information and qualitative feedback to assess the
quality of local services. During the period April 2010 to March 2011, the
Quality Assurance Team (4 officers) had carried out 161 inspection visits. Appendix 1 to the report, illustrated the
assessment of the overall quality rating for services in Quarter 2, 2010/11
(July - September). The majority of
commissioned services were providing good or excellent quality care (Green) to
Halton residents. The Chairman of the Board welcomed the report
and reported that Councillor Wright had a list of volunteers who would undergo
a CRB check and then receive appropriate training. The Board noted that if there were any concerns
about an establishment, immediate action was taken and this could result in a
suspension of new placements until improvements were made. This could result in
the establishment being on an amber rating longer than the CQC, as the Quality Assurance
Team retained the amber rating until they were satisfied that the improvements could
be sustained. The Members of the Board were reassured by
the robust procedures and excellent work undertaken by the Quality Assurance Team
in ensuring establishments and services provided were safe for residents of the
Borough. It was suggested that when contracts were established they contained ... view the full minutes text for item 36. |
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Business Planning 2012-15 PDF 30 KB Minutes: The Board considered a report of
the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which gave Members an opportunity
to contribute to the development of
Directorate Business Plans for the coming financial year. The Board was advised that each Directorate of the Council was required to develop a medium-term business plan, in parallel with the budget, that was subject to annual review and refresh. The process of developing such plans for the period 2012-2015 was just beginning. The Board was further advised that at this stage members were invited to identify a small number of priorities for development or improvement (possibly 3-5) that they would like to see reflected within those plans. Suggested proposals included: · Integration of Public Health; · Review of Homelessness Services; · Care Closer to Home; and · Safeguarding & Dignity It was reported that Strategic Directors would then develop draft plans which would be available for consideration by Policy and Performance Boards early in the New Year. It was noted that plans could only be finalised once budget decisions had been confirmed in March and that some target information may need to be reviewed as a result of final outturn data becoming available post March 2012. The report also detailed the timeframe for plan preparation, development and endorsement. The following areas were agreed as priorities for development or improvement:- · Integration of Public Health (to include Healthwatch and the Health & Well Being Board); · Review of Homelessness Services: and · Care Closer to Home (to include the prevention of accidents). It was suggested that Adult Mental Health Services be included as a priority. In response, it was reported that a report would be presented to the January meeting of the Board on the re-design of services across the 5 Borough Partnership, RESOLVED: That (1) the report and comments raised be noted: (2) the priority three areas identified above be agreed for development or improvement in the Directorate Business Plans 2012-15. |
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Urgent Item Minutes: The following item of business which was not included on the Agenda for the meeting was deemed by the Chairman to be an item of urgent business pursuant to Section 100B(4)(b) of the Local Government Act 1972 in order that a joint Scrutiny Committee could be arranged as soon as possible to consider the Cheshire and Merseyside Vascular Review. |
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Cheshire and Merseyside Vascular Review Minutes: The Board considered a report of
the Strategic Director, Communities which gave the Members and update on the
latest position with regards to the The Board was advised that following the meeting of the Health Policy
and Performance Board on 23rd August 2011 where the Board considered
the possible implications of the The Board was further advised that due to the significant impact that the
proposals would have on local communities and the Acute Trust it should be concluded that under Regulation 4 of the
Local Authority (Overview and Scrutiny Committees Health Scrutiny Functions)
Regulations 2002 SI No. 3048 regulations, the proposals posed a substantial
variation in the provision of vascular services. Therefore, it was subject to a joint scrutiny
meeting by Halton Borough Council (BC), It was reported that a joint meeting would be
organised as soon as practicably possible and appropriate terms of reference
would be drawn up giving the
meeting powers to take appropriate decisions. RESOLVED: That (1) the report be noted; and (2) these proposals to constitute a significant variation to services provided to the residents of Halton be agreed; (3) a joint scrutiny of proposals as outlined in paragraphs 3.2 and 3.3 of the report be agreed; and (4)
Councillors |