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25/20 | There were no declarations of interest. |
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26/20 | The minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2020 were confirmed as a correct record. |
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27/20 | The Board was presented with the Teeswide Adult Safeguarding Board’s Annual Report and Strategic Business Plan by the Council’s Director of Adults and Health and the new Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board, Darren Best.
Discussion:
- The Board asked that its thanks be placed on record, to Ann Baxter, for all the work she had undertaken, as Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Board, and for her many visits to this Board’s meetings, to present Annual reports and updates.
- Specific reference was made to the Safeguarding Board’s ‘help efforts to reduce loneliness and isolation’ priority, which was of increased importance in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic and aligned with the priorities of this Board. It was hoped that some of the strong community work that had been fostered during the pandemic, would help to address this issue.
- Members noted areas where there may be joint working across bodies such as the Children’s and Adults’ Safeguarding Partnerships, Community Safety Partnerships and Health and Wellbeing Boards. For example: exploitation, domestic abuse and the impact of poverty on families. It was recognised that some joined up working would suit a Tees Valley approach and other working would need to be at a Borough level. It was agreed that further discussion around this would be undertaken outside this meeting |
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28/20 | Members received an Outbreak Management Update presentation, which included data for the 7 days, ending 23 December 2020.
The Board noted some key information. In the last seven days there had been:
- 374 cases with rate of 189.5 per 100k pop.
- 19 deaths
- The Borough had the 6th highest 7-day infection rate in the North
East
- The rate had decreased in the last 7 days
- All of the LAs in the North East had seen a decrease in rate compared to 4 weeks ago.
- Changes from restrictions took at least 15-20 days to show
In terms of transmission:
• Widespread community transmission with no hotspots
• Household transmission (between and within)
• Cases across age groups, including working age adults
• Cases and outbreaks across key settings
• Significant impact on care homes and hospitals
• Prevention and response activity continued - constant challenge / refresh
Members were provided with details of the Communication and engagement activity that continued to be reviewed and updated.
Discussion:
- Reference was made to the new variant of Covid 19, currently prevalent in the South of England. It was anticipated that this would impact on the Tees area, at some point, but the extent of this could not be predicted, at this stage.
- Community Champions would get accurate and consistent messages out to the community, in a variety of ways. A number of champions had been appointed but it was still ‘early days’ and others needed to be recruited. Members were informed that, if they were aware of any groups, who would benefit from contact by the Community Champions’ Network, they could highlight it via the Pioneering Care Partnership, Catalyst, or the Council.
- It was agreed that the role of elected members, in providing a link to the community was essential, so the Leader of the Council was active in ensuring that up to date messages and details of major developments were provided to all elected members, on a twice weekly basis.
- The Board received an update on vaccinations in the Borough and was provided with details on how they were being rolled out in several phases. Progress was good. Members noted the significant role of the GP Federation and the staff within the Primary Care Networks (PCN) in mobilising and delivering the vaccinations. It was explained that, nationally, PCNs were being asked to vaccinate residents in care homes where there were more than 50 beds, by the end of 2020. It was envisaged that this would not be possible, in Stockton, and PCNs were looking to complete this during the first weeks in January 2021. It was noted that North Tees Hospital had received its first batch of vaccine on 22 December.
- The Board noted the problems associated with identifying suitable, large, vaccination sites, in Stockton on Tees. Members were asked to consider if they could suggest any, using their local knowledge.
- Members noted the government’s criteria, relating to the allocation of boroughs, or clusters of boroughs, to tiers. These criteria included; the general rate of cases, the rate of cases for over 60s, the positivity rate and hospital pressures. It was explained that Stockton was assessed, as a cluster, made up of the Tees Valley Authorities.
- Members noted the position relating to the testing of truck drivers, at the Dover Port. It was explained that this was not anticipated to impact on testing, locally, either in terms of available personnel, or availability of test kits.
- The Chair highlighted the important work that the Bright Minds, Big Future’s Group had undertaken, regarding messaging other young people about Covid 19. The messaging had been very successful, using a range of platforms, typically accessed by younger people e.g. Tik Tok. Members were encouraged to follow the Group on social media. |
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29/20 | Members considered a presentation relating to supporting care homes.
The presentation covered the following areas:
- the Care Market position.
- practical support and engagement
- prevention and protection
- key areas of work
- Quality Assurance - Interventions and Control
Measures
- Covid Risks
- Care Homes - Winter Plan
- Wider Support
- Local Ambition
- Vaccine Planning
Members noted the content of the presentation and were invited to raise any issues with the Director of Adults and Health, outside the meeting. |
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30/20 | The Board received a presentation that
- Described the considerable additional pressures placed on the health and social care system during winter.
- Detailed the prevailing position in the Borough relating to Covid -19.
- Explained the impact of influenza and the benefits of vaccination.
- Provided an overview of the national flu programme and eligibility criteria.
- Provided an overview of the epidemiology of different strains of influenza.
- Highlighted where vaccinations could be accessed and what the uptake had been in various groups and workforces.
Key points:
•Flu vaccines were an effective intervention to prevent flu and winter pressures.
• there had been low flu activity in 19/20 and so far in 20/21.
• Uptake in 19/20 had been positive in the following groups:Pre-school children, 65+, Pregnant women, NHS & SBC staff
• There was room for improvement, of uptake, in school age children
• There would be an extension of flu programme in 2020/21
• Data around care homes was incomplete because of current priorities and pressure on the homes. Work to address this was underway.
• The ICS and ICP Flu Boards were also overseeing the Covid Vaccination programme.
Members were provided with a report giving an overview of the Adults and Health Service’s response to the key requirements, outlined in the Government’s Adult Social Care: Our Winter Plan 2020-21. The Council felt very assured around the requirements, however, the following actions had been identified:
- support care homes, working with local partners to carry out learning reviews after each outbreak to identify and share any lessons learned at local, regional and national levels. This would be actioned in the Local Outbreak Plan.
- review current occupational health provision with providers in their area and highlight good practice. Providers have been asked about their occupational health provision. Good practice would be shared via the newsletter sent to providers.
- understand and address health inequalities across the sector and develop actions with partners, where required, taking into account the implications of higher prevalence of COVID-19 in Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities and inequalities experienced by people with learning disabilities, autistic adults, and people with mental health difficulties. |
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31/20 | The Board considered the following minutes:
Children and Young People's Partnership held on 16 September 2020.
Adults Health and Wellbeing Partnership held on 30 September 2020. |
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32/20 | It was explained that the multi-agency Youth Offending Service had been inspected and had been judged outstanding. The Board asked that its congratulations be passed on to the officers involved.
The Board was informed that Tees Valley CCG had accessed some national funding, for work relating to commissioning policies and specifications around end of life care, with a view to developing a strategy. It was suggested that an update on the work be provided at a future meeting.
Members noted that there would be additional GP resources provided into urgent care, over the Christmas period. Therefore, there would be no gaps, in provision, over Christmas. |
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33/20 | The Forward Plan was noted, and members were encouraged to highlight any items they may wish to be considered for future agendas.
It was agreed that a Board Membership review be added to the Forward Plan. |
