Agenda and minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members.

Pursuant to the Council's Constitution, the appointment of the following substitute members was reported:

Cllr J O’Shea for Cllr T Brady.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensations in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations.

To Confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2019.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 July 2019 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

To receive a presentation from the CCG on the development of Primary Care Networks

Dr Ruth Evans, Medical Director, North Tyneside CCG, attended the meeting and gave a presentation outlining the development of Primary Care Networks across North Tyneside.

It was noted that the development of Primary Care Networks was a national initiative but was building on developments already in place in North Tyneside in relation to place based future care/Primary Care Home.  This is based on the themes of:  providers working together; strengthening primary/community services; and hospital by exception.

It was noted that four Primary Care Networks had been established in North Tyneside based on four existing GP localities, with neighbouring GP practices working together and typically covering 30-50,000 people.  The Networks are delivered and funded via a Direct Enhanced Service (DES) contract between the CCG and the Network.

It was noted that the priority areas for the Networks for 2019/20 will be:

•           Extended access

•           Clinical Pharmacy

•           Social Prescribing

The sub-committee was advised that the expected benefits to patients would include: better access to NHS services, including GP access; better management of on-going illness and specialist care closer to home; more joined-up care involving GP practices, community services, hospital specialists, social care and the third sector; and more health promotion/self care with hospital by exception.

Members had a number of questions in response to the presentation.

In general members were supportive of the establishment of Primary Care Networks and expressed the view that GP practices and other services working closer together would be of benefit to patients.  However, some questions were raised about how patients would be expected to understand the new system, and whether there were any plans to communicate information to patients.  In response, the sub-committee was advised that it shouldn’t be necessary for patients to understand the system.  The changes should make it easier for patients to navigate/be guided through the system to the most appropriate service, resulting in a more efficient use of professionals’ time.

There was some discussion about how the involvement of other agencies, such as pharmacies, could impact on the responsibility for patient records and safeguarding issues.  It was noted that GPs would retain overall reasonability for patient records and all agencies already follow safeguarding procedures.

It was noted that the Primary Care Networks were a national initiative and that the DES is the same in all areas, but the way it is implemented may look different in different areas.  It was noted that North Tyneside appears to be in a more advanced position than many areas as the process is building on networks that have been in place for some time.

Members thanked Dr Evans for her presentation and suggested that the Sub-committee be kept updated on the development of the Networks as they progress.

To receive a report on the Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Board Action Plan, incorporating an update on Dementia Services

The Sub-committee considered the report which provided an update on the work of the Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Board and Dementia Services.

The sub-committee noted the progress made in setting up the Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Board and the proposal that the Board be now chaired by the Commissioning Manager from NTCCG with the objectives of the Board aligned with the Future Care Objectives.

It was noted that the Board has been considering a range of information on current services, including the mapping of services undertaken as part of the Mental Wellbeing in Later Life Strategy, research conducted by Healthwatch, consultation with older people’s residential and nursing care providers and carers groups, reviewing NICE guidance around dementia, and a workshop with clinicians working in older peoples’ mental health. 

The sub-committee noted the priorities identified for 2019-20.  These include exploring opportunities for a service that appropriately manages people in the community and is wider than just a psychiatric model of care; a review of crisis support for older people outside of normal operating hours; improving access to psychological therapies; a review of post diagnostic support for people with dementia and their carers; better support for carers, including older carers; and developing a single model of service across the two providers of older people’s mental health services in the borough.

In addition, officers outlined the current situation in relation to Dementia Friendly Communities and the decision of the Health and Wellbeing Board to explore a plan for taking this forward with local communities.

There was some discussion about post diagnostic support available in the borough with some members suggesting that support available via GPs can be better than the specialist services available.  The sub-committee was assured that the post diagnostic support available is good and is more comprehensive than the support that could be offered by GP practices alone.

There was some discussion about ‘prevention’ in the context of addressing isolation and loneliness issues.  It was acknowledged that this is a complex area, but that there are developments in place through the social prescribing service, with a strong offer in North Tyneside for people to link in to.

There was some discussion about Dementia Friendly Communities.  It was noted that Wallsend was the first town to be registered with the Alzheimer’s Society as a Dementia Friendly Community, and Whitley Bay had been working towards registration.  However, in order to retain registration an annual assessment is required.  The Alzheimer’s society had notified the Council that due to inactivity and no further progress being made, they were considering de-registering the Wallsend area.

The Health and Wellbeing Board has now committed to continuing with the Dementia Friendly Communities initiative and is looking at how this could be taken forward.  A workshop is being arranged in October to scope out this plan.  However, any approach would need to be led external to the Council and be sustainable after any initial funding ceases.

The Sub-committee was asked to consider whether it wished to have  ...  view the full minutes text for item ASCH21/19

The Sub-Committee is requested to pass the following resolution:

Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test as defined in Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

Resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) and having applied a public interest test as defined in Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Act, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Act.

To receive further information as requested by the Sub-committee on options related to the direct provision of social care services.

The Sub-committee considered a presentation from officers which provided further information, as requested by the Sub-committee, on options evaluated by officers in relation to alternative delivery mechanisms for adult social care and information on approaches taken in other authorities to direct provision of services.

The sub-committee noted the information and agreed that this may be a topic that would benefit from more in-depth consideration by a small sub-group of Members.  It was agreed that this should be taken forward and that volunteers should be sought from across non-executive members to join this group.

It was agreed that an Adult Social Care Sub-group should be established and Members from across the Council invited to volunteer to join the group.