Adult Services and Health Select Committee Minutes

Date:
Monday, 22nd July, 2013
Time:
4.00 p.m.
Place:
Jim Cooke Conference Suite, Stockton Central Library, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1TU
 
Please note: all Minutes are subject to approval at the next Meeting

Attendance Details

Present:
Cllr Mohammed Javed (Chairman), Cllr Paul Baker, Cllr Evaline Cunningham, Cllr Kevin Faulks, , Cllr Elliot Kennedy, Cllr Ray McCall, Cllr Norma Wilburn, Cllr Mrs Mary Womphrey.
Officers:
Ms L.Hanley (CESC); Ms J.Nixon (DNS); N.Hart, P.Mennear (LD).
In Attendance:
Ms H.McLean (Healthwatch).
Apologies for absence:
Cllr Walmsley, D.Miller (Parent Governor).
Item Description Decision
Public
ASH
31/13		 EVACUATION PLAN
  
ASH
32/13		 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Preamble
 
ASH
33/13		 MINUTES FOR SIGNATURE - 10TH JUNE 2013
Preamble
AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 10th June 2013 be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
ASH
34/13		 EFFICIENCY, IMPROVEMENT AND TRANSFORMATION (EIT) REVIEW OF ADULT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
Preamble
AGREED that the report be approved and be referred to Cabinet on the 4th September 2013 for consideration.
ASH
35/13		 QUALITY OF CARE
Preamble
AGREED that:-

1. The content of the Draft Annual Report of the Stockton Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Committee for 2012/13 be noted.

2. The Adult Services Lead provide all members of the Committee with details of the First Contact, together with the 'self assessment' audit documentation required to be completed annually by Care Homes.
ASH
36/13		 UPDATE ON REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL HEALTH SCRUTINY
Preamble
AGREED that the report be noted.
ASH
37/13		 WORK PROGRAMME
Preamble
AGREED that the work programme be noted.
ASH
38/13		 CHAIR'S UPDATE
 AGREED that the Chair's update be noted.
4.00pm-5.15pm.

Preamble

ItemPreamble
ASH
32/13		Cllr Mohammed Javed declared a disclosable pecuniary interest as he was employed by Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust. Cllr Javed had been granted a dispensation in this regard.

Cllr Ray McCall declared a personal interest as he was an Associate Hospital Manager and Governor for Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust.
ASH
33/13		The minutes of the meeting held on 10th June 2013 were agreed as a correct record.
ASH
34/13		Members were provided with the final draft report for the Efficiency, Improvement and Transformation Review of Adult Mental Health Services prior to it being submitted to Cabinet on 4th September, 2013. The report set out the progress of the review to date, and outlined the proposed changes to services. Members attention was drawn to an additional recommendation from the initial draft regarding the proposed establishment of a Mental Health Member Champion.

An Equality Impact Assessment had been developed during the review and this continued to inform the development of proposals.

ASH
35/13		Consideration was given to the Draft Annual Report of the Stockton Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Committee for 2012/13 prior to its consideration by Cabinet.

The report, which contained some contributions from other Tees Valley Authorities, reflected the first complete year of activity and issues since the Council's Adult Safeguarding arrangements had been restructured, and reflected the key aims to improve outcomes for Vulnerable People in Stockton; ensure staff had the appropriate skills and knowledge to protect vulnerable people; improve engagement with victims through efficient multi-agency processes; provide the vulnerable or mentally incapacitated with equitable access to justice; and monitor the performance of organisations working with Vulnerable People.

Members noted that the number of safeguarding alerts in Stockton for 2012/13 had increased significantly compared to the previous year, and the national trend, however, the Adult Services Lead advised that these referrals were encouraged in order that appropriate assessment could then be carried out in relation to the ADASS safeguarding thresholds for adult safeguarding. The number of alerts that had progressed to the referral stage was broadly consistent with previous years. It was requested that the appropriate single point of contact telephone number for such referrals be forwarded to all members.

Discussion was held in relation to how people in the community were identified as being vulnerable and of concern. Reference was made to the importance of appropriate assessment of a persons mental capacity when considering whether they have the mental capacity to make decisions, even if these are considered unwise, and how the financial affairs of people who lack mental capacity can be managed in their best interests. The powers to act in such situations would be the subject of seminars to be held during the next month.

The actions taken jointly by both the Council and the Primary Care Trust to investigate and address the safeguarding allegations relating to a dementia nursing care home matter were outlined in a case study. Concern was expressed regarding the circumstances that led to the closure of this nursing home in Stockton in early 2013 and Members asked for assurance that systems and processes to monitor servvice standards were in place. The process for proactive and reactive visits, and inspection and monitoring systems, was outlined. Commissioners held a risk register, and information sharing meetings with commissioners and CQC were held monthly. Healthwatch were also involved in monitoring care home provision.

Members discussed the 'self assessment' audit required to be completed by Care Homes annually as part of the Quality Standards Framework assessment process. Evidence of the information submitted was required and checked by relevant officers/partners. Members requested that they be provided with a copy of the assessment criteria for information.

Members questioned how care homes fees were set, and it was clarified that the QSF process was not currently linked to the fee paid. There were issues surrounding under occupancy in the Borough and this was to be addressed at a strategic level.
ASH
36/13		Consideration was given to an update on regional and Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny.

The next meeting of the Tees Valley Joint Health Scrutiny Committee, which was chaired by Stockton, was to be held on the 29th July 2013.
ASH
37/13		The next meeting would be held on 2nd September 2013 and would include consideration of the Adult Local Account for Stockton; performance information reporting; and GP/Urgent Care.

  • Contact

  • Democratic Services

    Municipal Buildings
    Church Road
    Stockton-on-Tees
    TS18 1LD

  • 01642 526193 or 01642 528173

  • [email protected]

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