To receive a brief update on the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC).
Minutes:
An update was provided from the most recent HASC meeting. Key items of discussion included:
A new system had been set up to monitor performance in the various sectors of WSCC’s remit. Key areas of scrutiny for each portfolio included
· Will the new format enable effective scrutiny?
· Effective use of measures in place.
· Measures which are most critical to the committee’s focus.
· Management of corporate risk.
· Identifying specific areas for action or response within the portfolio.
· Issues requiring further scrutiny.
The report focussed on highlighting situations within the different portfolios that impacted on delivering the 4 Council priorities.
· Keeping people safe from vulnerable situations
· A sustainable and prosperous economy.
· Helping people and communities fulfil their potential.
· Making best use of resources.
The issue of tackling climate change underpinned all the work. The reports were the first under the new system. There were pressures on both the Adult Services Portfolio and the Public Health and Wellbeing Portfolio and in the coming months the key performance indicators would be considered to see how areas of influence within portfolios were performing and the reports would be published quarterly.
The substantive item from the agenda concerned a report from the Sussex Health and Care Partnership on Covid 19 recovery and restoration of health services for West Sussex residents. Major points included:
· Matters were challenging because of Covid 19 and continued to be so.
· There was evidence of good collaborative working – within the top 10 decil nationally.
· There had been greater elective response including liaison with private providers.
· Integrated services were being developed.
· There was no mention in the report of the role of patient groups in helping to drive services forward.
Operational Response to Covid 19
· 12-15 were being worked on.
· There was a need to separate dosage figures for care homes between residents and staff.
Restoration of Services
· There had been some problems with communicating the position regarding the restoration of services to people.
· Flu vaccine rates had improved on previous years.
· Access to GPs was still a problem – the situation had improved but there was still a lot to do. However, West Sussex was among the best countrywide.
· The default position should not be the emergency services.
· It was important that face to face GP referral improves.
Urgent Emergency Care
· Emergency care had remained open throughout the pandemic but great pressures remain particularly on Walk In Centres and Urgent Treatment Centres
Hospital Elective Treatment
· There was no mention of the Ambulance Service in the report.
· It was important that working with patient groups continued.
· There was a need to keep an eye on acute services.
· Any staff shortages needed to be addressed.
Cancer
· Referrals had increased
· Work was on-going concerning cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Mental Health
· Need for greater mental health support in schools.
· Expert advice was now going in.
Transformation of Mental Health Services
· Community mental health services were at the heart of the NHS long term plan – developing new and integrated models of primary and community health care.
Primary Care (GP Practices)
· Very high levels of demand
· GP practices never closed but worked in a different way.
· All forms of appointment (face to face, telephone, online) were available.
· There has been a slow but steady increase in face to face referrals.
Winter Planning
· The plan was a dynamic document.
· Winter 2021-2022 likely to be very challenging.
· Work was taking place to build in lessons learned from winter 2020-2021.
· Resilience of GP care was paramount.
· The position of 12-15 year olds was being planned for.
· Booster jabs (third jabs) were coming soon.