To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Social Care Health and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on Monday19 March 2018 and to note actions taken since that meeting.

RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting of the Social Care Health and Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee held on 19 March 2018 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

To receive from Members any declarations of interest and of any political whip in relation to any agenda item.

Cllrs Goodchild, Hollick and Spurr declared an interest at item 10 as Members of the Luton and Dunstable Hospital.

To receive any announcements from the Chairman and any matters of communication.

The Chairman advised the Committee of recent news and events that included:-

·         The merger of the Luton and Dunstable and Bedford Hospitals had been deferred to April 2019.

·         Dr Alvin Low had resigned from his position as Chairman of Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group.  The Committee wished to record its thanks to Dr Low for the work undertaken during his Chairmanship.

·         Members involved in the ‘behind the scenes’ visit to the L&D hospital extended their thanks to officers for a very informative visit.

To receive petitions from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.

None.

To receive any questions, statements or deputations from members of the public in accordance with the Public Participation Procedure as set out in Part 4G of the Constitution.

None.

To consider any decision of the Executive referred to this Committee for review in accordance with Part 4D of the Constitution. 

None.

To consider any items referred to the Committee at the request of a Member in accordance with Part 4D of the Constitution.

None.

To receive a brief verbal update from:-

·         Executive Member for Adult Social Care and Housing Operations (HRA)

·         Executive Member for Health and

·         Executive Member for Assets

The Executive Member for Adults, Social Care and Housing Operations (HRA) updated the Committee on the latest news and developments that included:-

·         the number of homeless households living in transitional accommodation has reduced.  Two additional properties had been acquired to increase the number of homes in the Council’s transitional housing supply. 

·         There has been an award of grants s to community groups as part of the improved Better Care Fund aimed at preventing hospital admissions by supporting vulnerable people in the community. There were a wide range of excellent bids.

There was no update from the Executive Member for Assets, however, it was reiterated that work towards improving the supply of housing in Central Bedfordshire was of paramount importance.

The Executive Member for Health updated the Committee on the latest news and developments that included:-

·         the smooth hand-over of the new contract to ELFT of the Community Health Services from EPUT. 

·         The successful introduction by the Luton and Dunstable Hospital and care homes of the Red Bag Scheme that contained residents’ personal and medical details and travelled with residents

·         The introduction of a Trusted Assessor initiative at the Luton and Dunstable and Bedford Hospitals to ensure the pathway for residents from hospital to care home and vice-versa was easier.  The scheme had been financed through the improved Better Care Fund.

Members are asked to consider the Quality Accounts from the Hospitals and NHS Care providers used by residents in Central Bedfordshire and provide any comments they feel appropriate.  The Committee is reminded it is not obliged to comment if it does not feel it necessary.

At Members request, a list of comparable NHS indicators is provided at Appendix 1

Quality Accounts have been submitted and appear in the following order:-

Appendix A – East and North Herts Hospital NHS Trust

Appendix B - The Luton and Dunstable University Hospital Trust

Appendix C – Essex Partnership University Trust (EPUT)

Appendix D – Cambridgeshire Community Services Trust

Appendix E – Bedford Hospital NHS Trust

Appendix F – East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) (to follow)

Appendix G – Milton Keynes University Hospital NHS Trust (to follow)

The Head of Quality & Patient Safety at the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust introduced the Trust’s Quality Account for 2017/18.  In summary the Trust reported on a year that had been challenging and saw the introduction of a patient administration system and electronic observation system.

The Trust reported success in its selection as a vascular surgery hub for the area and a new Executive Team had been appointed to lead the Trust forward.

A Member welcomed the introduction of pharmacists on ward rounds and acknowledged the work the Trust undertook in palliative care within its hospice.

In summary, the Chairman congratulated the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust on its achievements that included the reduction in falls and the improvement in quality of care for patients.  The Committee raised its concern on the issues experienced with the introduction of new IT systems and looked to see an improvement in patient care to reduce pressure ulcers, c-diff and the number of complaints received.

*****

The Interim Director of Nursing and Midwifery at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital introduced the Trust’s Quality Account.  In summary the Trust had recorded a positive year that saw the Trust’s waiting time targets for A&E was amongst the best in the country.  There was also a decrease in the number of residents with mental health crisis at A&E.  The Trust was also able to report a high percentage of satisfied  patients and staff surveyed who indicated the Trust had listened to their needs.

The L&D had introduced new initiatives that included the ‘Red Bag’ scheme that saw residents’ medical notes contained and transferred with them in the bag and negated the need for further form filling by staff.   There had also been introduction of daily visits to dementia wards by two ‘pat’ volunteer dogs that had created a positive reaction with patients.  The families of dementia patients had been encouraged to complete a ‘this is me’ booklet to help staff to care for patients.

In summary the Committee:-

·         Recognises that the waiting time targets for A&E are one of the best in the country. 

·         Welcomes the proven cooperation between the hospital and Central Bedfordshire Council in the effective discharge of patients through the work of the integrated discharge team.  

·         Welcomes the 47% reduction in A&E attendance of mental health patients. 

·         Expressed some concern about the medication errors and the less than full take up of flu vaccinations by staff.

·         Together are determined to reduce the adverse costs of smoking, alcohol misuse and the preponderance of obesity. 

·         Looks to see positive results in fragility care given the new unit only became operational in February 2018. 

·         Looks to see that even more patients, year on year, are satisfied with their treatment. 

·         Supports the priorities through 2018/19 and the need to monitor improvement though measured success.

·         Has concerns around the apparent incidents of harassment and bullying of staff and recognises the need to look further at ways of reducing these.

·         Looks forward to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 90.